Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Alexander John Shaia was part of a large extended family that had emigrated from Lebanon a generation previously. He grew up immersed in the ancient traditions of an Aramaic, Middle Eastern Christianity (Maronite Catholicism) and was expected to become a priest, a family tradition since the year 1300. He was led otherwise.

Alexander John received a degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame where he was privileged to learn from Joseph Campbell. Next came a brief time in seminary followed by a master’s in Counseling Education, a master’s in Religious Education, a graduate certificate in Pastoral Psychotherapy, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

His extensive psychological and spiritual training across many modalities finally led him to Switzerland where he studied with Dora Maria Kalff, a Jungian analyst and founder of Sandplay Psychotherapy. He then became the first U.S. man admitted to the International Society for Sandplay Therapy — and continues to serve as a senior Certified Teaching Member of both the U.S. and International organizations.

Integrating a lifelong practice of prayer with many cross-disciplines — anthropology, psychology, spirituality, and ritual work, along with being a proud gay man — has shaped him into a unique thought leader, prolific author, and widely sought-after trainer, and speaker.

In 2001, he founded Quadratos — an educational organization to teach the ancient and universal four-path journey for radical transformation — and the four Christian gospels as an exemplar of the four paths.