Paul Lonely

Michael Richardson, writing under the name Paul Lonely, is an Oxford educated American visionary poet, artist and integrative entrepeneur born in 1978 in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. His poetry and writings have been recognized as "works of genius" by such intellectual luminaries as Integral philosopher Ken Wilber. His work is often included in the same category of well known and respected avante garde creative artists such as legendary painter Alex Grey and alternative hip hop star Saul Williams.

After completing his studies at Oxford, Michael traveled to Japan for a year where he taught English while studying deeply the theory and practice of Zen Buddhism. Upon returning home to Georgetown, Kentucky, he engaged a five year traditional spiritual retreat of intense meditation practice and writing during which time he experienced the transformative state of enlightenment known as kensho and completed his first inspired creative work of poetry. In 2007, Suicide Dictionary, the History of Rainbow Abbey, was published to rave critical reviews worldwide.

Recently, Michael has been affiliated with Ken Wilber's Boulder, Colorado-based think-tank, Integral Institute. He has been featured in such cutting edge magazines as Andrew Cohen's What Is Enlightenment?, and was recently invited to participate in multimedia artist Stuart Davis' latest television pilot 'Sex, God & Rock 'n' Roll'. As an artist, he is currently writing volume two of Suicide Dictionary, entitled Semiotic Butterflies, and is planning to present his work at the 2009 Parliament Of World Religions. As an entrepenuer, he is an active member of the board of directors of Integrative Performance Group and is currently overseeing the successful operation of the first truly Integrative Wellness Center in Los Angeles, HOLOS.