John received his doctorate in Biopsychology from the University of
Massachusetts, taught and performed research at Georgia State University, UTEP, and served as Professor of Psychology and Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Sam Houston State University.

He retired 2015 and is currently Emeritus Professor of Psychology, writes a blog on mindfulness (http://contemplative-studies.org/wp/), and has published on spiritual awakening including: “A Model of Enlightened / Mystical / Awakened Experience.” in the scientific journal “Psychology of Religion and Spirituality”, 2017, 9(1), 34–45.

John is a simple traveler on the path, studying and practicing Buddhism with Sandy Springs Insight Meditation Sangha and Open Gate Sangha and currently chairs the Atlanta Adyashanti Study Group.