I really don’t want to be unkind. I also want to be honest. The author is very Pollyanna. At times this makes him come off as simple. He makes connectI really don’t want to be unkind. I also want to be honest. The author is very Pollyanna. At times this makes him come off as simple. He makes connections that to a rational mind are a bit of a reach. If you’re diabetic, be sure to take your insulin before reading this book....more
This book is mostly digression. As other reviewers have noted, the author spends at least as much time trying to contort Swami into the thinking of suThis book is mostly digression. As other reviewers have noted, the author spends at least as much time trying to contort Swami into the thinking of supporters of the perennial philosophy, to which Abhishiktananda was never exposed! I do understand that this book is part of a series by advocates of that tradition, but if you are going to present a book that purports to be about Swami’s thought, then spending a significant amount of time covering other, even unrelated, thinkers is a waste of the reader’s time. Don’t waste yours on this book!...more
A fine introduction to these four great religious teachers. Although not exhaustive, and you could hardly expect a book of this length to be exhaustivA fine introduction to these four great religious teachers. Although not exhaustive, and you could hardly expect a book of this length to be exhaustive, it does provide a solid introduction to each teacher. If the book has a weakness, it is that it looks at each of the teachers through only one work. For the Buddha, it is the Dharmapada; for Krishna, the Gita; for Jesus it is the Gospel of Thomas; and for Ramakrishna, the epic Gospel of Ramakrishna. With the exception of the latter, the material used represents a small segment of available possibilities. Nevertheless, for a brief introduction the selected material serves well....more
Well...this book is the story of the spiritual search of Radhanath Swami, who was born in the suburbs of Chicago but left home at eighteen on a quest Well...this book is the story of the spiritual search of Radhanath Swami, who was born in the suburbs of Chicago but left home at eighteen on a quest to find meaning, as so many of his generation did in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The book is definitely a chronicle of that search, which transformed into his search for a guru, as only in the afterward does he address his life since then. In fact, ninety percent of the book passes before he makes the decision to follow his guru. To be honest, at times I found that rather frustrating because I wanted to learn more about the author than stories of sleeping on river banks and in caves revealed. That being said, the last thirty pages of the book did provide enough information that I felt the first three hundred fifty-five were worth the wait!...more
Of the books I have read that use the experiences of Western devotees to offer a look at Maharajji, this one is far and away the finest in every way. Of the books I have read that use the experiences of Western devotees to offer a look at Maharajji, this one is far and away the finest in every way. In writing and presentation, it brings the reader into the ashram with Baba back when he was in the body and reinforces my experience that he never leaves us, dwelling now within us. Highly recommended....more
It was just ok for me. Certainly this book offers much more insight into the lives of some of the longer standing devotees. I had hoped for more insigIt was just ok for me. Certainly this book offers much more insight into the lives of some of the longer standing devotees. I had hoped for more insights into Neem Karoli Baba, so the book became tedious for me at times....more
More a collection of excerpts from talks than a book, the result is disjointed and superficial, at times bordering on trite. Not recommended unless yoMore a collection of excerpts from talks than a book, the result is disjointed and superficial, at times bordering on trite. Not recommended unless you believe the author can do no wrong....more
This short book seeks to draw out the areas of agreement between Catholicism and Hinduism. The author's description and understanding of Catholic ChriThis short book seeks to draw out the areas of agreement between Catholicism and Hinduism. The author's description and understanding of Catholic Christianity at times misses the mark, causing him to overstate the areas of convergence at times. All in all, I would classify it as an adequate primer on the subject....more
I first read this book in 2008 and enjoyed it very much. I read it because a friend considered Maharajji her guru. Shortly after finishing the book, hI first read this book in 2008 and enjoyed it very much. I read it because a friend considered Maharajji her guru. Shortly after finishing the book, he appeared to me in a dream. That sort of thing doesn't happen to me, in fact I seldom remember dreams. Since then there have been other experiences, and as I reread the book there were many more. I don't pretend to know what it all means. I do know that this is one of the most important books in my life, and I am sure I will read it again....more
This is only peripherally about the Bhagavad Gita, which is why I gave it two stars. It contains many of Ram Dass' standard stories, which are very enThis is only peripherally about the Bhagavad Gita, which is why I gave it two stars. It contains many of Ram Dass' standard stories, which are very enjoyable, but except for the first session or two virtually ignores the Gita in favor of his stories. For that reason, I found it disappointing on many levels....more
I found this to be an extremely powerful and moving book that spoke deeply to my heart. Highly recommended, especially to those of us who know what itI found this to be an extremely powerful and moving book that spoke deeply to my heart. Highly recommended, especially to those of us who know what it's like to struggle with inner darkness!...more
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