Chuck Hillig
Living as the Source of Who You Are
For more than fifty years, Chuck Hillig has been writing about one simple, astonishing truth: that what you really are is Consciousness itself — already whole, already here.
Drawing on both Eastern philosophy and Western psychology, his short, clear books show readers how to live an awake and authentic life right in the middle of ordinary life. His writings and interviews have been published in ten languages.
“There are brilliant insights in Chuck Hillig’s books! Even one of them could dramatically change your life!”Deepak Chopra
Arjuna Ardagh · AHAM Meditation Center · Lonny Brown, Ph.D. · Hyla Cass, M.D. · Deepak Chopra, M.D. · Tim Conway, Ph.D. · Raphael Cushnir · Jim Dreaver · Werner Erhard · Peter Fenner, Ph.D. · Timothy Freke · Greg Goode, Ph.D. · Stanislav Grof, M.D. · Burt Harding · Douglas Harding · Leo Hartong · Al Huang · Leonard Jacobson · Sharon Janis · John-Roger, Ph.D. · Jerry Katz · Jan Kersschot, M.D. · Jean Klein · Timothy Leary, Ph.D. · Wayne Liquorman · Francis Lucille · Jed McKenna · Dan Millman · Jeffrey Mishlove, Ph.D. · John Nasse, M.D. · Tony Parsons · Kriben Pillay, Ph.D. · Benito Reyes, Ph.D. · David Richo, Ph.D. · “Sailor Bob” Adamson · Robert Scheinfeld · Guy Smith · Huston Smith, Ph.D. · Ron Smotherman, M.D. · Swami Beyondananda · Amber Terrell · Joan Tollifson · Nitin Trasi, Ph.D. · Dennis Trunk · Esther Veltheim · Virato · Jack Wexler, Ph.D. · Roy Whenary · Ken Wilber — and many other notable authors and teachers.
Who is Chuck Hillig?
Chuck Hillig is a modern spiritual teacher and author whose books present the essence of nondual spirituality in language the average reader can actually use.
Born in Chicago in 1940 and initially educated as a Catholic, in 1970, Chuck became a sincere devotee of the Indian Sage, Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.
Over the decades, Chuck has tried to weave together the wisdom of Eastern philosophy with the practicality of Western psychology by teaching others how to live an enlightened life “down in the marketplace.”
His core insight has always stayed the same: 1) All dualistic separation is illusory and 2) You already “are” who…and what…you are looking for.
Between 1978 and 2006, Chuck worked professionally in Ojai as a California state-licensed psychotherapist (LMFT) specializing in Marriage and Family therapy. The issues his clients presented were:
- Anxiety and Fear
- Depression and Unhappiness
- Relationship and Intimacy Problems
- Self-esteem, Identity and Self-worth
- Trauma, Loss and Unresolved Experiences
- Life Transitions, Meaning and Existential Distress
After working for almost 30 years in Private Practice, at several Psychiatric Hospitals and as a Counselor for the Navy, Chuck retired from Clinical practice in 2006.
Chuck now lives among the coastal redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near the small town of Felton and close to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, about six miles up from Monterey Bay.
Background
- B.S. in SS, John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH (English, Philosophy, Speech)
- M.A., Theatre Arts, St. Louis University, MO
- M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA
- Commissioned U.S. Naval Officer, Norfolk, VA
- Case Worker, Bureau of Child Welfare, New York City, NY
- Instructor, Slippery Rock State University, PA
- Instructor, St. Louis University, MO
- Probation Officer, Juvenile Division, Los Angeles County, CA
- Social Worker and Group Therapist, Vista del Mar Psychiatric Hospital, Ventura, CA
- Group Therapist and Treatment Coordinator, Anacapa Psychiatric Hospital, Port Hueneme, CA
- Clinical Counselor (DoD), Naval Base Ventura County, Pt. Hueneme, CA
- Licensed psychotherapist in private practice, 1978–2006, Ojai, CA
Writing and speaking
From 1992 to 2005 Chuck wrote a monthly question-and-answer column for The Information Press in Central California, and another for Military Transition Times, a Department of Defense magazine distributed to bases in the U.S. and Europe.
He has given hundreds of lectures, seminars and workshops — at churches, libraries, universities, hospitals, retreat centers and military bases — and has been a guest on dozens of TV and radio shows across the U.S. and Canada. He is a Life Member of Mensa and has spoken at its regional and annual gatherings. In 2009 he was interviewed for the film Leap! Finale.
His talks include:
- Enlightenment: You Can't Get There from Here — the truth about seeking
- Living an Enlightened Life in the 21st Century — being authentic at work and in everyday life
- Making Relationships Work — avoiding the habits that undermine our relationships
Books by Chuck Hillig
Short books, meant to be read in an afternoon and lived with for a lifetime.
Enlightenment for Beginners
Discovering the Dance of the Divine
$17.95
Buy it from Sentient Publications Amazon
A simple, illustrated story about why we imagine ourselves to be separate, limited beings — told with playful characters and everyday language. It became the animated video The Meaning of Life in 13 Minutes.
Seeds for the Soul
A Book About Living as the Source of WHO You Are
$19.95
Buy it from Sentient Publications Amazon
Thoughts, ideas and speculations drawn from 25 years of Chuck's private journals, blending philosophy, psychology and nondualism into a practical way of seeing. Also available as an audiobook, read by the author.
Looking for God: Seeing the Whole in One
A one-inch hole runs through the center of every page. Chuck uses that empty space to point to the truth that can only be found within — the void at the center of who you are.
No longer carried by its publisher; Chuck has a limited number of copies. $20.00, including U.S. shipping · How to order
The Way IT Is: Realizing the Truth About Everything
A playful, lighthearted look at the nature of reality that sets aside spiritual jargon about God, Spirit and Oneness and simply calls it “IT.”
No longer carried by its publisher; Chuck has a limited number of copies. $20.00, including U.S. shipping · How to order
The Magic King
A gentle fable for young children — and the grown-ups who read to them. Currently out of print.
Enlightenment for Beginners and Seeds for the Soul can be bought directly from Sentient Publications, from Amazon, or through your local bookstore.
Videos & Interviews
The Meaning of Life in 13 Minutes
Buddha at the Gas Pump, with Rick Archer
All of Chuck's Videos
Nonduality Living Café
What Is Reality?
Are You an Object at All?
Why Even Ask… Who Am I?
Twenty Questions with Chuck Hillig
Private Sessions
Chuck offers one-on-one conversations as a spiritual and life coach, by phone or by video (FaceTime or WhatsApp).
Over the years, about half of the people who call Chuck want to talk about Eastern philosophy and nondualism. The other half want help with more everyday matters — personal challenges and relationships. Many are exploring how to live an awakened life “down in the marketplace,” in the light of what they already are: Consciousness.
If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Fees
Payment is by PayPal. Please schedule your session with Chuck first, then use the button for the length of session you booked. PayPal opens with the amount already filled in.
To schedule a session
Call or text 805-509-6116, or email chuckhillig@yahoo.com.
Questions about Consciousness
Questions people often ask about nonduality — and Chuck's answers. An excerpt from Chuck's book The Way IT Is.
Words that point the way
Friends, teachers & resources
Books & Audio
Directly from Chuck
How to order from Chuck
Click the PayPal button for the book you want; PayPal opens with $20 already filled in. In the PayPal note, please write which book you're ordering and your U.S. mailing address, so Chuck knows where to send it.
From publishers & booksellers
Enlightenment for Beginners · Seeds for the Soul
Seeds for the Soul — audiobook
Get in touch
Chuck lives among the coastal redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near Felton and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, about six miles up from Monterey Bay.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066