Beyond the Illusion

A Spiritual autobiography from the daughter of Hollywood director King Vidor. The intriguing story of her early life lived amongst the 'royalty' of Old Hollywood, and her later life and path in the extraordinary company of the American-born spiritual master, Adi Da Samraj.

In 1998, Adi Da Samraj Gave Toni Vidor the name "O.G.", or "Ogee" (OH-jee). He said this stood for "Old Growth". She was hopeful that the name pertained to spiritual growth as well as the ancient and venerable redwoods in the Tat Sundaram region He so enjoyed.

Then, in 2004, Bhagavan Adi Da suggested to Toni that she write about her life. And now, after many years of hard work—and in the very first formally acknowledged book of testimonial stories by a devotee—anyone who wants to has the opportunity to read Ogee’s remarkable autobiography.

As the eldest child of film director King Vidor and actress Eleanor Boardman, Toni Vidor grew up amidst the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Era. After college, she rejected the life offered by her parents’ wealth and fame. From the late 1940s to the early seventies, she was an equestrian, healer, as well as a pioneer of alternative living. During this time, a process awakened in her that triggered a steady stream of psychic phenomena, some ecstatic, others terrifying. She became a spiritual seeker and met a dazzling array of teachers, none of whom satisfied her thirst for spiritual truth.

With remarkable honesty and insight, Toni tells of her life as the devotee of Adi Da. She recounts in vivid terms the miraculous phenomena in His company, as well as the ordeals of the beginning spiritual practitioner. Versed in the traditions of esotericism, she describes the inner workings of the relationship between the disciple and a true adept-realizer—the hard realities and personal trials as well as the ecstasies and profound revelations that come with a life dedicated to the genuine spiritual process.