John H. Drais

John Drais was above all a wise, compassionate, visionary man, extremely knowledgeable on a wide range of topics with a sharp wit and keen sense of humor. These are perhaps some of the reasons he touched so many people's hearts so deeply and in so many ways. He applied his attributes and kindness with great focus and passion to his life's work. The Paracelsian Order and Madre Grande Monastery are the continuing manifestation of his compassionate intentions, and although he himself will be missed, his spirit remains very much alive and well. John is survived by his son Elchonan Lewenstein, five grandchildren and one great grandchild, his sister Lorna Creveling and her two daughters Shawna and Valerie, a niece, nephew and grandnephew. His work at Madre Grande Monastery family is continued by three fellow monks Sally Lee, Monica Maghiar, and Martin Hippie, many friars, former monks and people who have made pilgrimages to this sacred place. He was a licensed real estate broker for 22 years, owned and operated a property management and maintenance business. John Drais was president of the Theosophical Society in San Diego until he founded The Paracelsian Order and Madre Grande Monastery in 1975. He served as Abbot of The Paracelsian order from 1994 to present and was Bishop of The Johanine Catholic Church from 1990 until his passing. May light and peace shine on him always!

In a secluded Southern Californian valley, surrounded by ancient and wise boulders, the Monks, Friars, and guests of Madre Grande Monastery quietly practice and teach a variety of spiritual paths, as they have for over forty years.

It is here that John Drais, one of the founders of Madre Grande, spent almost half his life pursuing the dream of a simple life dedicated to study and service. This is how I came to know him, a non-traditional monk and independent theosophist with a labyrinthine mind. He had a surprising ability to present a plethora of complex subjects in the language of his listeners, sharing his encyclopedic knowledge in a serious and straightforward manner yet with a twinkle of joy and amusement in his eyes.

He taught at West Coast Talmudical Seminary and San Diego Hebrew Day School between 1968-1970. During this period he came across The Secret Doctrine, and a new type of wind caught his sails and guided him to uncharted territories. Madame Blavatsky’s masterpiece inspired him like no other teaching, and dramatically modified his approach to life.

From Hebrew Kabballah he traveled the road of comparative religion and philosophy and Buddhist meditation, and became a devoted lifelong student of Theosophy. Between 1970 and 1982 he worked on the Zohar and The Source of Measures, books that are part of The Secret Doctrine References Series. He contributed to Exordium with footnotes extracted from The Secret Doctrine, and a copious amount on notes in the Zohar; a new Hebrew and numerical index plus J.R. Skinner’s biography in The Source of Measures. In this period he met Emmet Small with Point Loma Publications and worked on the index of Esoteric Instructions by G.D. Purucker.

He wrote numerous articles, essays, and webinars, including but not limited to those below.