Dr. Naamleela Free Jones is a multidisciplinary scholar-practitioner, educator, and musician deeply immersed in the world's religious and spiritual traditions. 

She holds a PhD in the History of Religions and an MA in Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism from Rice University in Houston, Texas, along with a BA in Religious Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.  

Introduced to yoga and meditation at an early age by her father, the late spiritual philosopher and artist, Adi Da Samraj, Naamleela has cultivated a deeply inside-out approach to scholarship. She brings an authentic voice that grounds critical inquiry in lived personal experience, making her work both insightful and accessible. As a historian of religions, she specializes in contemporary esotericism, with a focus on new religious movements, Gnostic spirituality, modern yoga, and consciousness studies. Her research explores the intersection of ancient wisdom traditions with modern spiritual practices, particularly in the American context.

 A lifelong musical composer, producer, and pianist, Naamleela has performed at prestigious venues such as the Teatro della Pergola and the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy, along with private settings in North America, Europe, and the South Pacific. As an educator, she has taught at institutions such as Naropa University, the University of Houston, and the Jung Center of Houston. Passionate about inspiring others to grow intellectually and personally through education, she imparts knowledge and fosters critical thinking with grace and expertise. Additionally, as an ordained minister, she is honored to perform weddings and sacred ceremonies, helping people to connect with the transformative power of ritual in their lives.