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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's always hard for a Westerner to surrender and enter into disipleship, and even harder if he/she is already famous. Recent examples could be Leonard Cohen (Zen)or Terence Stamp (Osho). One of the first in recent times to embark on this path was the illustrious writer Christoher Isherwood.
Here he tells the story of year long relation to Swami Prabhavananda of the Ramakrishna Order. From their first meeting to the death of the swami - and beyond. Of his introduction to the spiritual world, problems with his (homo)sexuality, his attempt at leading a monastic life. The problems he had to face while writing his large Ramakrishna biography Ramakrishna and His Disciplesand his renunciation of any kind of spiritual teachership.
The book is in large part based on qoutations from his diaries and is - that goes without saying - wellwritten and entertaining. In part the ironic and intellectual Englishman takes over but by and large the book is soaked in a fitting and rather beautiful humbleness. Though we don't get that much impression of the Isherwood who wrote such brilliant articles about spiritual subjects in Vedanta and the West 126.
A very valuable read that also paints portraits of fellow seekers like Aldous Huxley and Gerald Heard.
Here he tells the story of year long relation to Swami Prabhavananda of the Ramakrishna Order. From their first meeting to the death of the swami - and beyond. Of his introduction to the spiritual world, problems with his (homo)sexuality, his attempt at leading a monastic life. The problems he had to face while writing his large Ramakrishna biography Ramakrishna and His Disciplesand his renunciation of any kind of spiritual teachership.
The book is in large part based on qoutations from his diaries and is - that goes without saying - wellwritten and entertaining. In part the ironic and intellectual Englishman takes over but by and large the book is soaked in a fitting and rather beautiful humbleness. Though we don't get that much impression of the Isherwood who wrote such brilliant articles about spiritual subjects in Vedanta and the West 126.
A very valuable read that also paints portraits of fellow seekers like Aldous Huxley and Gerald Heard.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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5 reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
account of a heart relationship between student and teacher
25 Nov 1998
Format:Paperback
One of the most intelligently written books on the subject. Here, Isherwood recounts the events that lead him to meet a man who was to seriously effect the way christopher approached life as a pacifistin a war torn world. A remarkable relationship between a very modern man and a direct desciple from the lineage of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. I think that this is one of the best books I have ever read. Christerpher Isherwood is economical with words and yet is evocative,candid and funny. Auden, Huxley and meany more characters of the time walk through this memoir. I cried at the end. Written by a master. If you are a cynic on the subject of swamis read this... it was written by one..
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
An English writer in America meets an Indian swami
25 Nov 1998
Format:Paperback
Surely one of Isherwoods finest works. This memoir tells of his time in Hollywood during World War II and of his meeting and subsiquent association with Swami Prabhavananada. Isherwood approaches the subject with candid reflection and in his usual minimal style takes the reader on a a spiritual quest for the truth behind god and the trail of the pacifists dilemma during a crippling war. Auden, Huxley and a host of others walk through the work. An absolute must for Isherwood fans. I cried at the end...one of the best books I've ever read.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Swami, How I Love Ya, How I Love Ya.....
18 Jan 2005
Format:Paperback
Indulging in a third Christopher Isherwood 'novel', after being left flat by 'The Memorial' was a truly enlightening experience. Much like the 'Boy's Own Story' trilogy of Edmund White, though supposedly not an amalgamation of characters (like White's novels) the story outlines 30 years of tutelege under Swami Prabhavananda, and how the influence of this holy man helped shape Isherwood's life.
Beginning in the first half of the 20th century, Isherwood spent many years in and out of the Hindu Vedanta Center run by the Swami. As he struggled with his faith in juxtaposition with his homosexuality, the author found great comfort in the love of the Swami, which was unwavering, despite his knowledge of Isherwood's lifestyle.
Along for the ride are many of Isherwood's contemporaries, including author Aldous Huxley, and an occasional weaving in of other celebrities of the time, such as Greta Garbo, and his lover of many years, Don Bachardy. Isherwood, amongst publication of his own novels, aids in translating the Baghad-Vita with the Swami, and publishes Ramakrishna and His Disciples, a study of a 19th century holy man who embraced all religions as worthy of learning, to appreciate the unity of all.
An interesting portrait of Isherwood himself, this book also delves into the day-to-day workings of the Hindu faith, a Vedanta center, and the life of a Swami, albeit in a Western Cultural setting.
A good read, and as much a peaceful pursuit to read as the pursuit of Isherwood's own inner peace.
Beginning in the first half of the 20th century, Isherwood spent many years in and out of the Hindu Vedanta Center run by the Swami. As he struggled with his faith in juxtaposition with his homosexuality, the author found great comfort in the love of the Swami, which was unwavering, despite his knowledge of Isherwood's lifestyle.
Along for the ride are many of Isherwood's contemporaries, including author Aldous Huxley, and an occasional weaving in of other celebrities of the time, such as Greta Garbo, and his lover of many years, Don Bachardy. Isherwood, amongst publication of his own novels, aids in translating the Baghad-Vita with the Swami, and publishes Ramakrishna and His Disciples, a study of a 19th century holy man who embraced all religions as worthy of learning, to appreciate the unity of all.
An interesting portrait of Isherwood himself, this book also delves into the day-to-day workings of the Hindu faith, a Vedanta center, and the life of a Swami, albeit in a Western Cultural setting.
A good read, and as much a peaceful pursuit to read as the pursuit of Isherwood's own inner peace.
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