Brian Hines | |
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| Born | (1948-10-07)October 7, 1948 (age 77) |
| Occupations | Writer and land-use activist |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Known for | Books and blogs[1] |
| Notable work | Life Is Fair: The Law of Cause and Effect Return to the One: Plotinus’s Guide to God-Realization |
| Spouse | Laurel Hines |
Brian Hines (born October 7, 1948) is an American writer and land-use activist known for his work opposing development on farm andforest land inOregon.[2] Over several decades, he has written about spirituality,public policy, andland-use issues, while maintaining an active presence in regional civic debates.[1]
He earned a degree in psychology fromSan Jose State University in 1971, and a master's in social work fromPortland State University in 1973. Hines completed course requirements for a Ph.D. in systems science at PSU from 1974–77.
He worked in health policy and planning from 1973 to 1988: four years as a research associate atUniversity of Oregon Health Sciences Center followed by six years at the Oregon State Health Planning and Development Agency, where he held various management roles.[3] In the mid-1980s he co-founded Oregon Health Decisions, a statewide citizen network aimed at expanding public engagement with bioethical issues.[4] As executive director, he led efforts to involve non-experts in discussions around medical ethics, resource allocation, and health policy.[5]
After leaving government service, Hines became more active as a writer, exploring topics ranging from meditation and spirituality to public philosophy and local land-use controversies.[6] His blogs and published works have been widely circulated among readers interested in comparative religion, skepticism, and civic engagement.[1]
In 1971, Hines became a member ofRadha Soami Satsang Beas, a spiritual organization inRadha Soami movement. He was actively involved in the movement for several decades and wrote extensively about it.[7] Over time, he became critical of the organization. He later adoptedSamatha-Vipassanā meditation as his primary practice, reflecting a shift toward Buddhist-influenced mindfulness techniques.[8]
Hines is the author of four published books on spirituality and philosophy. His first major philosophical work,Return to the One: Plotinus’s Guide to God-Realization, presents a modern interpretation of the teachings of the ancient Greek philosopherPlotinus. The book received scholarly attention, including a formal academic review in theBryn Mawr Classical Review.[9]
He later publishedBreak Free of Dogma: Churchless Sermons Preaching the Gospel of Spiritual Independence, which argues for a non-institutional, experiential approach tospirituality.[10] His third book,God’s Whisper, Creation’s Thunder: Echoes of Spiritual Reality in the New Physics, explores perceived connections betweenmodern physics and spiritual experience.[11]
His best-known popular work,Life Is Fair: The Law of Cause and Effect presents a moral argument centered on karma, ethical responsibility, and vegetarianism. The book gained international attention after Bollywood actorShahid Kapoor publicly credited it with influencing his decision to become a vegetarian, bringing widespread visibility to Hines’s writings in India and beyond.[12]
In addition to his books, Hines maintains several long-running blogs addressing spirituality, skepticism, land-use policy, and local politics in Oregon: Church of the Churchless, HinesSight, and Salem Political Snark.[13]
Residing inOregon for much of his adult life, Hines has been a vocal critic ofurban expansion onto agricultural and forest land.[2] Through public testimony, local commentary, and writing, he has contributed to debates surrounding rural preservation, zoning, and environmental protection inSalem and surrounding communities.[4] His activism reflects a long-standing commitment to sustainable land-use planning and the protection of Oregon’s rural landscapes.[1]
Hines lives currently inSalem, Oregon with his wife, Laurel.[13]
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