Ramana maharshi

What Ramana maharshi does

John David Satsang is a founder-led spiritual teaching organization that delivers teachings rooted in the non-duality (Advaita Vedanta) tradition of Sri Ramana Maharshi, primarily through the direct teaching presence of its founder, John David. Its core products are Satsang sessions (in-person and weekly Zoom), multi-day retreats held at three physical locations (Open Sky House in Leverkusen-Hitdorf, Germany; Open Sky Oasis in Denia, Spain; and an annual pilgrimage to Tiruvannamalai/Arunachala, India), and 1:1 guided sessions via Zoom. The organization also operates Open Sky Press, a publishing imprint that has produced 35+ spiritual books in seven languages (English, German, Spanish, Russian, French, Italian, Tamil), together with a library of filmed interviews with over 30 spiritual masters and cinematic documentary films. The underlying technology stack is minimal — Zoom for live sessions, a multi-language WordPress-style website, and an e-commerce bookstore — with the proprietary asset being John David's teaching content, recorded archives, and community networks rather than software.

The business model combines retreat fee revenue (EUR 600-2,900 per participant per retreat, tiered with early-bird, reduced, and student rates), individual session fees, book and e-book sales through Open Sky Press and Amazon globally, and a free monthly newsletter that drives top-of-funnel community engagement. Distribution is split between direct, high-touch in-person retreats, recurring Zoom satsangs for international reach, and self-serve video/book content. The organization is privately held, founder-owned, operates without external venture or institutional capital, and serves a horizontal segment of spiritual seekers, meditation practitioners, and Advaita/non-duality enthusiasts across Germany, Spain, India, and the broader international audience reachable in seven languages.

Name

Ramana maharshi

Legal name

John David

Website

https://johndavidsatsang.international

Company type

Private

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

John David Satsang is a Germany-based, founder-led spiritual teaching organization that delivers Sri Ramana Maharshi non-duality teachings via retreats in Germany, Spain, and India, weekly Zoom satsangs, and 35+ books in seven languages. It serves individual spiritual seekers globally with no enterprise customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spiritual Education and Meditation Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Wellness Retreat Centers (Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness) (THAGAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meditation Retreats, Workshops & Immersive Programs (HSADAJAF), Yoga & Meditation Experiences (Studio Classes, Guided Meditation, Mindfulness) (THAJAHAA), Religious Retreats & Spiritual Wellness Travel Agencies (THAKAHAM)

Keywords

• Spiritual retreats
• Meditation teachings
• Non-duality seminars
• Satsang gatherings
• Spiritual book publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Germany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Retreat Fees: Revenue from in-person spiritual retreats held in Germany, Spain, and India. Retreats range from 2-20 days with accommodation and meals included.
2. Book Sales: Sales of spiritual books published by Open Sky Press including titles about Ramana Maharshi, self-enquiry, and spiritual awakening. Books available as paperback and ebook worldwide via Amazon and Open Sky Press.
3. 1:1 Online Sessions: Individual coaching sessions with John David via Zoom, including guided self-enquiry and open conversation.
4. Newsletter/Mailing List: Monthly newsletter with spiritual content, event invitations, and blog posts to maintain community engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The organization delivers spiritual teachings rooted in Advaita Vedanta and the non-duality tradition of Sri Ramana Maharshi, offering multi-day retreats at locations in Germany, Spain, and India, weekly public and online satsangs, 1:1 guidance sessions with teacher John David, and a published library of more than 35 spiritual books in 7 languages through its Open Sky Press imprint.

Product overview

John David operates a spiritual teaching organization offering teachings rooted in Sri Ramana Maharshi's non-duality tradition. The core offerings include Satsang sessions (spiritual gatherings), immersive retreats in three countries (Germany, Spain, India), and individual 1:1 sessions via Zoom. The organization publishes over 35 spiritual books through Open Sky Press, produces documentary films, and maintains an archive of Zoom recordings. Key publications include the Aham Sphurana Series on Ramana Maharshi's teachings and Blueprints for Awakening featuring interviews with spiritual masters. Physical centers include Open Sky House in Germany and Open Sky Oasis in Spain, with an annual India retreat at Arunachala.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Satsang Sessions Spiritual gatherings for exploring truth and consciousness, led by John David, featuring guided self-enquiry and dialogue for individual spiritual seekers.
• Spiritual Retreats Multi-day immersive retreats held in Germany, Spain, and India offering meditation, satsang, yoga, and self-enquiry practice for spiritual seekers; retreats range from 2-20 days with accommodation and meals included.
• 1:1 Online Sessions Individual online sessions with John David via Zoom, offering guided self-enquiry or open conversation for personal spiritual guidance to individuals worldwide.
• Zoom Online Satsang Weekly online meetings via Zoom providing access to John David's teachings for international seekers, including an archive of past recordings accessible globally.
• Spiritual Books Over 35 spiritual books published in 7 languages covering Ramana Maharshi's teachings, self-enquiry, surrender, and spiritual awakening, distributed globally as paperback and ebook.
• Cinematic Films Documentary films produced by John David featuring interviews with Indian and European spiritual masters, produced and distributed through Open Sky Press.
• India Retreat (Arunachala Pilgrimage) Annual pilgrimage retreat of approximately 20 days to Tiruvannamalai, India at the foot of Arunachala mountain, visiting Sri Ramana Maharshi's ashram; 2027 edition priced at 2,500-2,900 EUR with accommodation in double rooms, meals, and full program included.
• Aham Sphurana Series Three-volume book series on Ramana Maharshi's teachings covering self-realisation (Volume 1), self-enquiry (Volume 2), and surrender (Volume 3), published by Open Sky Press.
• Blueprints for Awakening Book series featuring interviews with spiritual masters including Indian and European teachers, exploring Ramana Maharshi's teachings.
• Nan Yar - Who am I? Classic spiritual text by Sri Ramana Maharshi on self-enquiry, published by Open Sky Press in multiple languages.
• Open Sky House Germany Community Spiritual community center and meditation center in Germany (Hitdorf, between Cologne and Düsseldorf) hosting regular satsangs, retreats, and daily meditation for residential and visiting seekers.
• Open Sky Oasis Spain Community Spiritual community villa in Denia, Spain offering summer retreats, tantra workshops, Karma Yoga opportunities, and Sangha Weekends near the Mediterranean.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 25 years of continuous teaching and community building
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Open Sky PresscoreOthersPublishing arm for John David's books and films. Operates the online bookstore at openskypress.com. Publishes works about Ramana Maharshi, self-enquiry, surrender, and spiritual teachings in multiple languages.
• Open Sky House CommunitycoreOthersSpiritual community and ashram in Germany, between Cologne and Düsseldorf. Hosts weekly satsangs, daily meditation, and retreat programs. Living example of new way of living based on spiritual principles.
• Open Sky Oasis CommunitycoreOthersSpiritual and artistic community in Denia, Spain. Hosts summer retreats and tantra workshops. Features palm garden, pool, and Mediterranean location.
• Sri Nannagaru AshramminorOthersLocation in Tiruvannamalai, India where John David conducts the annual India retreat in homage to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.
• Ramana Ashram (Sri Ramanasramam)minorOthersThe original ashram of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi in Tiruvannamalai, India. Pilgrimage destination for India retreat participants.
• David GodmancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned author and researcher of Sri Ramana Maharshi's life and teachings. Collaborated on books including 'Aham Sphurana' and 'Arunachala Shiva'. Provides expert commentary in films.
• Radha (Tantra Teacher)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTantra teacher who leads weekend workshops during the summer retreat in Spain, focusing on authentic tantra, sensuality, and conscious touch.
• Indira (Retreat Organizer)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrimary contact for retreat bookings and organizational support. Manages communications, registrations, and on-site logistics for retreats.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mooji: Portugal-based non-duality teacher (Monte Sahaja ashram) offering satsangs, retreats, and online content in the direct Ramana Maharshi/Papaji lineage; nearly identical offering to John David's in tradition, format, and geography.
• Eckhart Tolle: Non-duality teacher selling books, online courses, and in-person events with a global following; directly comparable content product (books, video teachings, retreats) targeting a similar audience.
• Gaia House: UK-based Buddhist-inspired meditation retreat center offering silent retreats with visiting teachers; comparable European retreat-center model and audience of spiritual seekers.
• Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres: Global network of ashrams and yoga vedanta retreat centers offering residential retreats, satsang, and teacher training in the Vedanta tradition, comparable in product mix and retreat-center model.
• Rupert Spira: UK-based non-duality teacher offering satsangs, meditation retreats, books, and online sessions in the Advaita tradition; very similar offering and audience profile.

Broad incumbents

• Art of Living: Large global spiritual organization (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) operating ashrams, retreats, courses, and publishing across many countries; much broader portfolio but overlaps on retreat, satsang, and meditation offerings.
• Isha Foundation: Sadhguru's global yoga/meditation organization with ashrams (e.g., Isha Yoga Center), retreats, online programs, and publishing; broader scale but directly comparable meditation retreat and digital-content model.
• Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University: Global spiritual organization operating meditation centers, retreats, and courses worldwide; overlaps on meditation retreat and spiritual community model at much larger scale.

Regional players

• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: US-based yoga, meditation, and wellness retreat center in the Berkshires with residential retreats, teacher trainings, and online content; comparable retreat-center model but primarily serves North America.
• Omega Institute for Holistic Studies: US-based holistic learning retreat center offering workshops and retreats in yoga, meditation, and wellness; similar multi-day retreat format but North American footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JohnDavidNow
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@JohnDavid-SpiritualTeacher
• Facebookfacebook.com/johndavid.international
• Instagraminstagram.com/momentswithjohndavid

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ramana maharshi