Auspicious Good Fortune: One Woman's Inspirational Journey from Western Disillusionment to Eastern Spiritual Fulfilment [Paperback]

I found this book to be a delightful, touching life story which takes you through a whole gamut of life experiences - from the author's early, difficult life lessons and disappointments to how she later discovered happiness, wisdom and joy through the profound and skilful guidance of her spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy. At times it really re-affirmed to me many of the truths I have instinctively felt for many years - mainly how the pursuits of the material world alone cannot give us ultimate happiness (the 'western disillusionment' of the title?)

I have read a good many books on this general theme in the past - often re-affirming this idea that life is often ultimately shallow and empty unless we seek a true spiritual dimension within it. However it is refreshingly more 'real' when an author describes with such trusting and courageous honesty their troubled unsuccessful attempts to find satisfaction in the material pursuits of the modern world, and then take you through their personal journey to discover real truth and inner fulfilment. The book describes how - by 'auspicious good fortune'? - she meets her spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy - and relates her many profound, often beautiful experiences and personal life-lessons revealed under his subtle expert guidance. As the book comes from her first-hand lived experience, these ideas and perceptions seem to carry far more weight than some of the more detached theoretical or academic approaches to the subject of spirituality that I have read in the past.

It is a beautifully written book which seems all the more poignant by the refreshing, unpretentious sincerity of the author. I confess that - as a closet star-gazer myself - I was immediately half won-over after the first few lines of the book's introduction; which grabbed me immediately with their beautiful and profound imagery:

"When first discovering a night sky, the eyes may pick out a few tiny stars. Waiting and watching reveals thousands, until it seems there is yet more light than empty blackness. So my life has been, and so it continues."

The writing continues throughout the book in this wonderfully prose-like quality which makes it a joy to read - embellished with frequent metaphor and imagery rather like poetry at times. However it is also concise, grounded, and relevant - not at all verbose (and I should know as an ex-jargon addict). I got a lot of inspiration from this book - actually it seems much more than an inspiring life story - it is a revealing, uplifting insight into a modern-day spiritual path and many fundamental truths of life.

David James

A candid, exquisitely written journey from the heart to the soul.
A journey, I believe, that each of us will take in the natural course of time. The last three sentences were read through tear filled eyes on a train through Italy, and have taken up residence in my heart forever.

I enjoyed reading this book by Sumangali Morhall, especially the second half when she writes about her experiences of following her Spiritual Master, Sri Chinmoy. This book will appeal to those who also sought for greater meaning in life, and at some time faced that disillusionment with material life. It also gives a fascinating insight into Sri Chinmoy and his way of teaching. It would have been nice to have more on this aspect. But, overall a very good book for those interested in the spiritual life.