Did you know that the Free Daist Communion Church has fascinating roots? We are standing before a place steeped in a unique spiritual history. It’s a story that began not in Boston but far beyond.
The Free Daist Communion wasn’t always here. Its founder Franklin Jones later known as Bubba Free John Da Free John and finally Da Love-Ananda started his spiritual journey in the 1960s. He studied with Swami Rudrananda and even spent time at a Lutheran seminary. A pivotal experience in India in 1970 led him to what he called a permanent state of Sahaj Samadhi.
This profound experience marked a turning point. Jones began teaching small groups focusing on the futility of searching for meaning in sex material possessions and other fleeting experiences. His teachings centered around Advaita Vedanta emphasizing the denial of the illusion of separate selves from divine reality.
His teaching style was distinctive. He was known for his confrontational approach pushing his students to stressful situations. The goal was to help them realize the limitations of their ego. The Free Daist Communion evolved as his following grew. The name itself changed reflecting various phases of his work.
The Free Daist Communion ultimately became the primary name for the Adidam fellowship in 1987. It later underwent further name changes before settling on Adidam in 1996. Today the Free Daist Communion’s legacy lives on though its main center is in Fiji.
While this particular building might not be the original location of the Free Daist Communion Church its history is intrinsically linked to the transformative journey of its founder. It represents a chapter in a larger story a story of spiritual seeking transformation and the evolving nature of religious practice. This building serves as a reminder of the complex and sometimes controversial path of spiritual exploration.