As to be expected from such a divergent institution, the subjects studied were also unique.  Students were rigorously instructed in all religions, indiscriminately, to earn degrees in Sacred Law.  Despite the religious foundation, the founder, Dr. Whitworth, described his educational goal as, "teach[ing] people how to live in terms that were universal, not religious."  Rather than to tell students what to believe, the learning experience included exposure to multiple schools of thought in order to broaden perspectives, with the underlying intention to get each individual in touch with his or her own spiritual truth, through the Atma, or "God self-indwelling."  The Hindu term, Atma, is one of many sacred ideas from the Bhagavad Gita which Whitworth and his wife, Ruth, dedicated five years translating into Western terminology.  

 

An internal connection to the divine and discovery of personal truth was fostered through sacred practices and exercises, most similar in format to meditations.  These practices, translated into modern thought by the Whitworths, stemmed from a 5,000 year old tradition of intense spiritual, mental, and physical training, including the Melchizedek, Egyptian, Sumerian, Grecian, and Persian Mystery Schools which produced the Avatar, or The Eternal Initiate.  These priceless teachings were entrusted to the Great Western University.

 

Constantly endeavoring to broaden their own perspectives and bring more knowledge to the school, Dr. Whitworth and his wife, Ruth, embarked on many expeditions, delving into little known regions to film tribal life and sacred rituals.  Some of these travels received press attention for the University, as in this article written in 1979 by Bea Pixa for the S.F. Examiner: [Titled: "No ivy grows on Great Western U"]

 

"[Whitworth] and his wife led expeditions to ancient, exotic and primitive cultures in jungles of the Amazon and New Guinea, where he acquired the title Witch Doctor, and to India, where he and his wife were honored for their efforts in fostering religious understanding between the East and the West."

 

In response to Pixa's inquiry as to why Great Western University was not openly advertised, Whitworth replied, "We don't need the publicity that builds a wide knowledge of us and what we're doing."  While the Whitworths purposely did little to publicly promote the school, Great Western University enrolled as many as 1,000 students at its height.  This number included correspondent study groups scattered throughout the United States and a few internationally. 

 

From 1997 - 1999, Great Western gradually transitioned its identity as a University into the Great Western Brotherhood School of Sacred Studies and the Church of the Jade Sun.  Perhaps correlated to the decision to no longer offer degrees, enrollment within the brotherhood gradually dwindled to 100 students.  The instruction also transformed, focusing less on the rigorous studies of all religions and exotic foreign cultures and more on the metaphysical, particularly the timeless, esoteric information preserved from ancient mystery schools.  However paradoxical, this new version of Great Western, while founded on exercises 5,000 years old, was perhaps ahead of its time.  During his 48 years as an instructor, Dr. Whitworth pushed his students to broaden their perspectives, look inward for answers -- rather than upward or outward, and let go of smaller truths, thus opening to the greater, hidden truths.  Elements of this process may be found prospering today, mirrored throughout New Age religions and spiritual groups intent on awakening higher consciousness.  Some modern similarities in ideology may be drawn to the popular teachings of Eckhart Tolle, The Course of Miracles, [other references?  are these even good comparisons?]  though Great Western's specific approach to awakening is unique. 

 

In one of his many novels, Eternal Truth, Whitworth termed the spiritual context of future humanity as the "Space Age Religion."  Such a religion, he described, would promote student independence and would teach no beliefs.  Instead:

 

 "Each person will be taught to think, act, and teach every moment of his life, in every action, expression and word.  He will be taught to raise the understanding of those around him to the second, third, and even fourth levels -- physical, mental, spiritual, and divine.

 

Each will be taught to lock into his own opinions of Soul and God and to raise them through [the same] four levels of understanding.  He will be taught to evolve his own beliefs.  But at no time will he be told what to believe.

 

In singular greatness, Space Age Religion, will at no time teach what is to be believed, limit thinking, or make anyone dependent.  On the contrary, each person will be directed to search and find his own answer to Soul, God, and Eternal life." [3-76]

 

Since Dr. Whitworth's passing on January 7th 2005, it is around this eloquently described vision which the continuing members of the Great Western Brotherhood have focused their collective energies.  For the next seven years, as led by Dr. Ruth Whitworth, the Great Western Brotherhood has continued its teachings in small, intimate groups within the San Francisco Bay Area and still holds informal services at the Church of the Jade Sun, in Napa County, California.  Under Ruth's fervent direction, the Brotherhood was pared down to the foundational level and underwent a period of purposeful dormancy to allow for internal adjustment and rebuilding.  

 

In February 2011, Dr. Ruth Whitworth unofficially reopened the school to its first class of new students in several years, under the direct instruction of Reverend Theresa Vitorelo and the guidance of current Great Western Brotherhood President, Stanford Almirol.  After Ruth's passing on January 8th, 2012, almost seven years to the day of her husband's passing, the Great Western Brotherhood prepared for the continuation of Eugene and Ruth Whitworth's plans for an internet presence and the resulting process of gradual reintroduction into the public  world.  

 

Along with the publication of this website in the Fall of 2013, plans simultaneously went into effect for the future renovation or possible relocation of the The Church of the Jade Sun.  For information on making a donation to this cause, please follow this link.  

 

One Advanced Level Class and one Beginning Level Class are currently in process.  The introductory levels have been released for public access on our School page.  Plans for online access to additional levels are still under consideration for development.  If after completing these introductory levels, you are still interested in further education with the Great Western Brotherhood, and happen to live in the Bay Area, please do not hesitate to email us at GreatWesternBrotherhood@gmail.com for possible options. 

 

For those who are unable to commute to the area, but seek further information, we highly recommend reading Nine Faces of Christ, by Dr. Eugene Whitworth and/or participating in our online message board.