Hey, I’m Justin Gates, cohost of The New Ashla Podcast. My life has been shaped by the search for Light in the midst of both triumphs and trials. I’ve known seasons of peace and seasons of loss, and each has deepened my conviction that the Force (what we call Ashla) flows through all things, guiding us toward balance and purpose.

I now serve as a teacher, spiritual counselor, and cofounder of the New Ashla Spiritual and Philosophical Center. My work is rooted in the Axioms of Light and the Twelve Agreements, timeless principles of discipline, compassion, and service that help seekers align their lives with the Light. Through books, coaching, and community, I guide others to reconnect with their inner purpose, find strength in the storm, and walk as vessels of Light in a world hungry for meaning.

For me, Ashla is not just philosophy, it’s lived truth. It’s the path that has carried me through struggle, taught me resilience, and shown me how to serve. And it’s my mission to share that path with others, so that together we can awaken to the Light we already carry.