{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{short description|American motivational author and speaker|bot=PearBOT 5}}{{Infobox writer | name = Brandon Bays | image = | imagesize = | caption = | pseudonym = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|8|21}} | birth_place = New York City, US | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Author, professional speaker | period = | genre = Self-help, motivational | subject = | movement = | influences = | influenced = | signature = | website = {{URL|www.thejourney.com/}} | footnotes = }}
{{NewThought}}
'''Brandon Bays''' (born August 21, 1953) is an American author and motivational speaker. She has authored New Thought self-help books, and is best known for her 1999 book, ''The Journey'', which became a bestseller in England and Australia.<ref name=pw> {{cite news|title=Non-fiction reviews: The Journey|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7434-4392-0|newspaper=Publishers Weekly|date=September 24, 2001}} </ref>
Her work falls within the broader scope of mind-body healing and has been practiced in various countries.
== Biography == She was born in Trenton, New Jersey to an American father and an Austrian mother,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=NP |first=Ullekh |date=2012-03-01 |title=Brandon Bays' self-healing technique allows people to clear their vasanas & sanskaras |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/brandon-bays-self-healing-technique-allows-people-to-clear-their-vasanas-sanskaras/articleshow/12089619.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-06-13 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> who grew up in Vienna, Austria.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stoicescu |first=Corina |title=Brandon Bays, The Journey: "Always listen to your heart! |url=https://www.theessenceofit.com/brandon-bays-the-journey-always-listen-to-your-heart/ |publisher=theessenceofit.com |date=May 2, 2014 |access-date=April 15, 2016}}</ref> At age 35, she first visited India, a country she later referred to as her “spiritual home.”<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-11-27 |title=Brandon Bays to visit India next month |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/brandon-bays-to-visit-india-next-month/articleshow/17385052.cms |access-date=2025-06-13 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> She has studied the teachings of Indian spiritual masters, including Ramana Maharshi and his student HWL Poonja, who gave her the spiritual name “Janaki,” meaning “born of the self.”<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2012-03-16 |title=Brandon Bays: 21st Century Healer |url=https://coralesque.com/2012/03/16/lighting-lives-2/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Coralesque |language=en}}</ref>
She worked for Tony Robbins for 10 years, presenting the Living Health program as a Master Trainer.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=WfSulAEACAAJ The Journey: A Road Map to the soul.] Simon and Schuster. 2001. ISBN 978-0743443920.</ref>
She is the author of the book ''The Journey'', first published in 1999 and later reissued in 2012.<ref>[http://www.thejourney.com Official website]</ref> The book has been translated into multiple languages and forms the basis for her therapeutic approach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=College |first=Vitality Living |date=2019-05-10 |title=The science behind The Journey (Brandon Bays) I Vitality Living College {{!}} Vitality Living College |url=https://vitalitylivingcollege.info/the-science-behind-the-journey/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Bays says that her healing method originated from a personal health experience in which she was diagnosed with a large abdominal tumor.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2012-01-29 |title=Brandon Bays on God and spirituality |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/brandon-bays-on-god-and-spirituality/articleshow/11672888.cms |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> She recovered without surgery or conventional medical treatment over a six-week period.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-31 |title=Tumour cured 'through meditation' |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tumour-cured-through-meditation-2435267 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref> She attributes her recovery to a process involving emotional release, accessing subconscious memories, forgiveness, and a form of spiritual connection she describes as "Source" or "infinite intelligence."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inward journey |url=https://www.news24.com/life/inward-journey-20030609 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Following this experience, Bays developed ''The Journey Method'', a process-based approach that combines emotional introspection and guided self-inquiry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shoval |first=Ofri |title=Free the Cell |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2008-10-23/ty-article/free-the-cell/0000017f-ecc6-d0f7-a9ff-eec7ee1a0000 |website=Haaretz}}</ref>
The Journey also incorporates elements of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and includes specific approaches to address phobias and emotional traumas.<ref name="pw" />
Brandon was deeply influenced by a spiritual teacher she fondly calls 'Papaji' ( H. W. L. Poonja ) whom she met in Lucknow, India in the early 90s. Papaji was a teacher of self inquiry in the tradition of the sage, Ramana Maharshi.<ref>{{Cite news |last=NP |first=Ullekh |date=2012-03-01 |title=Brandon Bays' self-healing technique allows people to clear their vasanas & sanskaras |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/brandon-bays-self-healing-technique-allows-people-to-clear-their-vasanas-sanskaras/articleshow/12089619.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
== Work and influence == Since the publication of ''The Journey'', Bays has conducted seminars and workshops across five continents.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Shipley |first=Diane |date=2008-02-20 |title=Don't bite the hand that feeds the inner you |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2008/feb/20/dianeshipley |access-date=2025-06-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Her work is particularly noted in the fields of personal development, alternative healing, and spiritual inquiry.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Can past trauma result in illness later? |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/can-past-trauma-result-in-illness-later-1.1143943 |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>
Her work gained prominence following her personal account of overcoming a large uterine tumor in the early 1990s, which she claims to have resolved without conventional medical treatment, instead using introspective techniques focused on uncovering and resolving unresolved childhood trauma.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Ray |first=Shreya |date=2012-02-06 |title=The healing ‘Source’ |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/hpdwbLVPWfqjiuEAtXqnXJ/The-healing-8216Source8217.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422131030/https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/hpdwbLVPWfqjiuEAtXqnXJ/The-healing-8216Source8217.html |archive-date=2021-04-22 |access-date=2025-06-13 |work=mint |language=en}}</ref>
Bays contends that unprocessed emotional experiences are stored at the cellular level and that these can obstruct physiological functions, potentially resulting in illness.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Excellence |date=2016-03-01 |title=Brandon Bays: The Meaning of Life and the Gift of Grace |url=https://excellencereporter.com/2016/03/01/brandon-bays-the-meaning-of-life-and-the-gift-of-grace/ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=Excellence Reporter |language=en}}</ref> ''The Journey'' process is designed to guide individuals through the release of these suppressed emotions by accessing and confronting the core memories associated with personal pain or trauma.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bays book offers guide to emotional freedom |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/bays-book-offers-guide-to-emotional-freedom-1.1019453 |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> Her approach draws from principles in mind-body medicine and cellular biology, suggesting that emotional suppression has measurable biochemical consequences that may influence physical health.<ref name=":5" /> Bays has collaborated with or appeared alongside various figures in the personal growth and consciousness movement, including Tony Robbins, Lynne McTaggart, Wayne Dyer, Bruce Lipton, and Deva Premal & Miten.<ref name=":1" />
=== Reception === Since the publication of her book ''The Journey'' (1999), which outlines her recovery and the healing methodology she developed, Bays has cultivated a global following.<ref name=":3" /> Her techniques have reportedly been employed by individuals suffering from various health conditions, including cancer, and by people seeking personal development or emotional healing.<ref name=":2" /> The method has also found institutional support in some contexts, notably in South Africa, where it has been incorporated into educational programs with government backing.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waal |first=Mandy De |date=2010-07-19 |title=Thank God for science! |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2010-07-19-thank-god-for-science/ |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Medical professionals supportive of integrative health such as Irish GP Dr. Paddy Rudden and Australian GP Dr. Mark Naim have publicly endorsed her work as a potentially effective complement to conventional medicine.<ref name=":4" />
==Bibliography== * {{cite book|title=The Journey: A Road Map to the soul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wVYENlVgf6QC |access-date=July 9, 2012|year=2001|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-0743443920}} * {{cite book|title=The Journey for Kids: Liberating your child's shining potential|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=62O4Caqh0oEC|access-date=July 9, 2012|year=2003|publisher= Harpercollins UK|isbn=978-0007155262}} * {{cite book|title= Freedom Is: Liberating Your Boundless Potential|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U48kmyRhaLkC|access-date=July 9, 2012|year=2007|publisher= New World Library|isbn=978-1577316008}} * {{cite book|title= Consciousness: The New Currency|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ALRQwAACAAJ|access-date=July 9, 2012|year=2009|publisher=Journey Productions, Limited|isbn=978-0956337900}} * {{cite book|title=The Journey: A Practical Guide to Healing Your Life and Setting Yourself Free|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JqAxOrdIQFcC|year=2012|publisher=Atria Books|isbn= 978-1451665611}} * {{cite book|title=Living The Journey: Using The Journey Method to Heal Your Life and Set Yourself Free|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N2alH0jt_3IC|year=2012|publisher=Atria Books|isbn=978-1451665628}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|http://www.thejourney.com/}} *[https://equalman.com/ Motivational Speaker]
{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bays, Brandon}}
Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:American motivational speakers Category:American motivational writers Category:American self-help writers Category:American spiritual writers Category:American people of Romanian descent Category:New Thought writers