On the Road to Freedom: A Pilgrimage in India

Notwithstanding the back-cover blurb and front-cover photo, this book is mainly (the first 194 of 282 pages) about the authors tutelage under the great master Ratnamji - a remarkable figure who might have remained in obscurity were it not for this book. Ratnamji was a direct disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi (www.arunachala-ramana.org). His account is very enlightening and definitely worth a read. The last part of the book which deals with how he met his current master Sri Mata Amritanandamayi (www.amritapuri.org) is too short and fortunately he wrote a sequel which is all about his tutelage under his current master. Buy both books!

After encountering a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, the author set out for the spiritual journey, which he persued with utmost sincerity and effort. He met good teachers which demanded a lot from him. He followed all advices of them, even if it cost all he could give in terms of mental adjustment or power. For a possible reader of the book is should be said at least, that the author was a longterm pupil of a pupil of Ramana Maharshi and finally became a pupil of Ammachi. But all the salutary and entertaining details, have to be read on ones own. The author talks also about his doubts on the way, which makes the book much more aceptable.

The author is currently disciple of AMMACHI. The book is an autobiographical descritption of his spiritual journey. It is written in a simple, readable form. His journey starts with his father's death, when he did not feel grief like his relatives. Later he read about Ramana ( who also led to enquiry about death after his father's death). He writes candidly about the period when he was experimenting with meditation and having a live-in relationship. This discussion is crucial. Later he moves to India. He lives with Ratnaji of Ramana ashram. He learns all about Hindusim from Ratnaji. A interesting episode is how he goes back to America just to repair a tape recorder so that his guru can record Bhagavatam classes. He returns at once. His pligrimage in North gives a good understanding about human nature. He discusses about puja to Guru and it effects. The book's end discusses how he came to AMMA and took her as guru. Now he is back in AMERICA as AMMA's disciple. Now he visits India every year. ( I think he has written a sequel to this book). The book is easy to read; The author has neither ego nor special urge to be a writer.

The book is a very candid narration of the spiritual journey of a western seeker. Any spiritually inclined person would benefit from the experiences of the author with the indian saints like Ratnamji, Nisargadatt Maharaj and Mata Amritanandamayi. His tough self disciplining, austere life, self correction and improvement with the help of the saints whom he met explains the nature of spiritual life. The book ends with his meeting with Mata Amritanandamayi and Her changing the course of his life. His experiences with Mata Amritanandamayi, especially Her compassion towards him and all fellow beings and his accepting Her as his master(Guru) is very touching.It is a very easy to read book.