In 1952, Great Western began as an accredited University and non-profit institution focused on religious, cultural, and metaphysical studies.  The founders, Dr. Eugene E. Whitworth and his wife, Dr. Ruth E. Whitworth, were also the primary instructors at Great Western University’s campus on Sutter Street, in downtown San Francisco. 

 

The university offered degrees in Sacred Law and pioneered the education of ancient methods of meditation and mental practices in the United States, some of which were inspired by and entrusted to the Whitworths’ during their foreign expeditions into the jungles of the Amazon and New Guinea, India, Egypt, and Thailand.

Though prolific, Dr. Eugene Whitworth was perhaps best known for his novel, The Nine Faces of Christ, which is available for order on Amazon.  The Great Western Brotherhood Board of Directors is currently working to restore a collection of his other books, which are currently out of print. 

 

His wife and Co-founder, Dr. Ruth Whitworth was known for her tireless research and translation of the Bhagavad Gita, a five year project she shared with her husband.  They were both honored for their efforts by the Prime Minister of India, Indira Ghandi, when they presented the first copy of the translation, Song of God, to her.   

Together, the Whitworths' translated hundreds of ancient practices and exercises into modern thought and formatted them into guided meditations and classes. These practices stemmed from the 5,000 year old tradition of spiritual, mental, and physical training, sourced from the Melchizedek, Egyptian, Sumerian, Grecian, and Persian Mystery Schools, which sought to produce the Avatar, or The Eternal Initiate. 

 

It was the mission of Dr. Eguene Whitworth and his wife to, in his words, “Teach people how to live in terms that are universal, not religious.”  Rather than tell students what to believe, the learning experience included exposure to multiple schools of thought with the underlying intention of getting each student in touch with his or her own spiritual truth, through the sacred Hindu idea of Atma, or “Gold Selfindwelling."
 
From 1997 to 1999, Great Western University gradually transitioned into its two successive non-profit organizations, the Great Western Brotherhood School of Sacred Studies and The Church of the Jade Sun.  They also primarily relocated from San Francisco to Napa County, California.  On December 27th, 2004, after 48 years as an instructor, Dr. Eugene Whitworth passed away.

 

Eight years later, Eugene and his devoted wife and partner, Dr. Ruth Edith Whitworth, would be reunited in spirit, following her passing on November 21st, 2012.  Together, this brave couple pioneered controversial studies and pushed their students to look inward for answers, rather than upward or outward, and let go of smaller truths, thus opening to the greater, hidden truths.

Their legacy may be found prospering today, not only within the Brotherhood, but mirrored in the growing popularity of New Age religions, meditation, and abundant spiritual discussion of the awakening process, energy, and consciousness seen throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

 

Great Western Brotherhood and The Church of the Jade Sun continue to facilitate students in the awakening process by offering their unique blend of ancient, sacred traditions to all who may benefit.  To learn more about our meetings and classes, please email the Brotherhood, at GreatWesternBrotherhood@gmail.com.