Lord of the Dance [Paperback]

The recent passing of controversial Hindu guru Sai Baba has inspired me to review this fascinating book, which is centred around one woman's experiences at his ashram in Puttaparthi. Starting out in the spirit of open-minded exploration, London journalist Ishtar ventures to India in the hope of discovering something more meaningful than her habitual round of young lovers, wine-soaked evenings and the general rat-race that is life in the metropolis. However, she is aware of the clichés of Westerners seeking to 'find themselves' in the mystical East, and approaches the matter with an overview of humour and self-parody which in no way detracts from the serious nature of her endeavour. Indeed, it renders it more valid, for she is aware of the tack surrounding this 'living avatar', and is certainly not expecting...to fall in love with him.

As Ishtar's journalistic background might suggest, 'Lord of the Dance' is written in a fluent and entertaining manner, with plenty of essential information and concise background included. It also works as a travelogue: one experiences the colourful chaos, idiosyncratic characters and exotic flavours of India along with the intrepid traveller and her somewhat disapproving daughter, who accompanies Ishtar for the first part of the voyage. It is easy to empathise with the emotional and psychological dilemmas of this self-proclaimed 'mid-life' voyage, which eventually finds the author alone at the ashram. We look over her shoulder at the perilous pilgrim's path, the twisted banyan trees, the ubiquitous beggars and the other Westerners, some cynical, many entranced. Indeed, once picked up, 'Lord of the Dance' is almost impossible to put down, for a plethora of reasons. Primary for me is that the topic of Gurus fascinates me, and I wanted to find out what the months Ishtar spent living in the ashram and working in the attached orphanage had taught her about Sai Baba. Was he a charlatan and sex molester as some accounts attest, or a materialistic playboy like Bhaghwan/Osho, or the real deal?

I am pleased to say that Ishtar does not dictate on this matter: rather, she offers her experiences for our assessment. We learn that she fell in love with Sai Baba as do the devotees of Lord Krishna with him. We see how Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is regarded by all in his domain and far beyond as a living incarnation of Vishnu. We sit with Ishtar during darshan, and experience her elation as his gaze glides in her direction in the crowded hall, and her mortification when it fixes on some other disciple, especially if that person is female. We laugh with her as she battles with those oh-so-understandable daemons of ego, and feel empathy as she berates herself for reactions she deems childish. Soon she realises that it is not the love of human men she needs, so much as the love of God: which this one being appears to emanate. She is then faced with the dilemma of separating the god from the man, and the devotee of the Divine from the shakti/wife. Meanwhile Sai Baba drifts around the ashram in a state of utterly detached cosmic beneficence, materialising vibhuti here, distributing a blessing there, and inevitably pissing a whole load of his pilgrims off each time he singles a person or group out for a coveted 'private audience'. The complexities of hierarchy within an ideal of unconditional love are amply demonstrated in these pastiches, which show the author as both spiritually aspirational and delightfully human.

It would be a shame to give any more away: I thoroughly recommend that you read it for yourself. As travelogue, account of self-discovery, insight into Sai Baba and Indian spirituality, and just as a thoroughly entertaining novel, I highly recommend 'Lord of the Dance'. And whether Sai Baba himself was 'genuine' or not is for each of us to decide for ourselves. It is worth noting however that he funded many local amenities and charitable organisations, including the orphanage/school in which the author worked as a volunteer (there are some fabulous descriptions of the characterful, affectionate children she taught), as well as founding a water supply scheme benefiting 750 villages in the drought-prone district.

May he, and all those who are deserving, abide in Samadhi.

It has been several years since I have read a book about experiences with Sai Baba. Now that he is no longer physically with us, Ishtar's Lord of the Dance is a wonderful, atmospheric reminder of his consistant, powerful and transformative presence that still emanates from beyond.

Her description of the sights, sounds and smells of India, life at the ashram and a local orpahage school, enrich the book making it an easy, enjoyable and escapist read.

The inclusion of texts and tales from other sources and times, adds depth and context to the phenomena that is the Sai trilogy but it is the account of her personal anguish in relation to her guru, that sets the book apart.

Her emotional journey and internal dialogue with Baba as she describes somtimes screaming out to him, speaks of a desperation, resonant perhaps somewhere within us all to meet the ultimate lover/spouse/mother/father/saviour and teaches of how a figure such as Sai Baba can assist in raising conciousness (including the facing up and clearing out required) towards finding this experience within.

I was given a copy of this book, which I thought at first was self published, but it is apparently not (take no notice of other reviewers - Ishtar told me this herself!). I admit, I wouldn't normally have purchased this book for myself, but I am always open to try new books, especially ones about faith or spiritual journeys. For a conventional review, telling a little more about the story within the book, I suggest reading the previous review post, or some of the other ones on the 'Amazon.com' page. My words are purely a personal reflection on what turned out to be a compelling read.

At first, I was confused - the title page says 'Lord of the Dance: A True Story About Life With Sai Baba' - then it says: 'A Novel by Ishtar'. True Story and Novel are not easy literary bed-fellows and having read the book, it comes across as a tale that is narrated directly from the heart, Ishtar's own heart. This book is about a very personal spiritual journey, undertaken by Ishtar herself and therefore seems to be an autobiography...a true story about her life with Sai Baba. To call it a Novel, in my opinion, lessens the impact of the personal trials - spiritual, personal and social, that make up the movement of the dance. The strength, and the element that demands my attention and respect, are the aspects of Ishtar shares about her physical emotional and spiritual journey. I am informed that the publishers were the ones that called it 'A Novel' - well, it confused me...and almost detracted from my reading experience.

My confusion with the exact genre the book intends to present aside, the story is personable and accessible; taking the reader through a gamut of human frailties and emotional concerns. At the heart of the narrative, is the transformational relationship Ishtar develops for her Guru Sai Baba - and the power of the spiritual merger with him that she experiences through her devotion.

This book is no more or less than a love story - it is a story of divine love manifesting in a human heart.

Ishtar paints a picture of desire for her Lord that has been told by other people in other great spiritual books - about other great spiritual leaders...One can imagine Mary feeling similar feelings towards Jesus as she washed his feet with her tears and anointed them with precious ointment. This then, is a story of a love that most readers can only ponder at and in truth may never give themselves the chance of aspiring to. Set in the fragrence that is Southern India, this book is about a leap of faith, out of desperate relational circumstances, into something else entirely.

As someone with an MA in Religion, I admit to having read my fair share of 'spiritual journey' accounts...and I usually find something interesting and worth pondering over in each one - no matter which pathway is being trodden. I look for sincerity and willingness to grow, these are aspects that I appreciate - not theological or religious knowledge - least of all sanctimony.

I am glad then, that I was gifted the chance to ponder the depth of the personal message that the pages contain, I wonder if anything/one could ever ignite my flame to make me follow such a path with such fervour?

I am also glad to have had my personal memory ignited by Ishtar's descriptive re-creation of the sights and smells of parts of India which I am familiar with...I'm glad I chose to see past the negative press that hangs over this Guru, to feel the warmth of Ishtar's love for him and to remember the heat of the sun in Mahabalipuram, where I too looked for my own version of the Great Divine that is so varied and obtainable in India.

So, in conclusion, why don't you take a look at 'The Lord of The Dance' through Ishtar's book? - Find Sai Baba or not - no matter, Ishtar's story tells of one who took the chance to leap into the dance of life, to look for love beyond all other love - and succeed!