The Sun at Midnight: A Memoir of the Dark Night

by Andrew Harvey

The author describes his break with his guru, his battle with depression, and his struggle to come to grips with his previous spiritual life, which leads to a realization of the power of love and his direct relationship with the Divine.

Genres: Memoir, Spirituality

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2002

About the author

Andrew Harvey is an author, religious scholar and teacher of mystic traditions, known primarily for his popular nonfiction books on spiritual or mystical themes, beginning with his 1983 A Journey in Ladakh.

From Wikipeadia

Reviews

[Jean Marie Angelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the true story of a spiritual seeker who is rejected by his guru for being gay. In this case the seeker was renown author Andrew Harvey and the guru is Mother Meera. I have to give credit to the author — he puts forth his complete experience, even when the details make him look like a naive follower desperate for his teacher's approval. Harvey now claims that Mother Meera is a cult leader whose disciples threatened his and his spouse's life.

These were the dangers of the New Age movement, which was at his hilt in the 1980s and 90s. There were a lot of people charging lots of money of their "followers," and claiming to be things they were not. I completely agree with the author's conclusions. We need no intermediary to speak to God. If we worship with a religious group we can turn to our teachers and leaders to assist our process. But there is no need for me to pray to another human. I am reminded of something my wise friend Joan said years ago, "No one soul is greater than another."

The first half of this book is a gripping page-turner. I appreciate Harvey's ability to quote Saint John of the Cross and St. Augustine while talking about his own spiritual journey.

Unfortunately, Harvey could not resist the drama. I can completely believe that Mother Meera told him he could no longer be gay and be employed by her. Harvey, though, further claims that she practiced black magic, gave his spouse cancer (through her occult powers), and planted thoughts in their minds. Hence my three-star rating. I really don't know what to make of all this and am still processing. I'll get back to you.

I was completely moved by several passages. As a person who came out later in life and as someone who didn't marry until well into my 40s, I thoroughly understood Harvey's fierce devotion to his true love, Eryk.

"Even as I wept and cried out, I knew that something had forever been saved in me, because, finally at last, I loved another human being more than myself."

[Jeremy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This, and Andrew's life work to follow, is predicated on a heinous lie and fabrication from the dark festering mind of Andrew Harvey. Mother Meera did not do what Andrew has accused him of or anything approaching it. Andrew in his narcissism, born out of his childhood pain and rejection, had him always imagine himself as a great soul, an avatar. First he saw Meera as the loving mother he never had, then as his launch pad to fame and notoriety and ultimately as the precursor to his unveiling as the avatar of this age, leading us all from darkness to light. Having spent many hours in close contact with Andrew I have no doubt these thoughts coursed through his mind. Always wanting to be the centre of attention and acknowledged, Andrew hoped his wedding would be a great royal occasion, when the simple and humble Meera did not adhere to Andrew's desired and required worship his mind was ablaze with fury and rejection that spurted forth this vicious lie that has been the driving force behind much of his work and continued to fuel his false victimisation.
Instead of being the an exemplar of honouring the great Mother, Andrew has committed a grievous sin of this energy Meera was to represent. Knowing what I know; Andrew's works honouring the mother, are akin to Weinstein speaking glowingly of his actress victims. Andrew got back at his mother by slandering Meera, but his life is grounded on a bed of lies.
Why do I right this? Because it is the truth and it is good to be revealed and to let potential future victims know that this honey tongued deceiver is a dangerous narcissist - good people beware!

[Lee F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like Harvey this is a really interesting journey. Read it as spiritual journal

[Katja Vartiainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book. The true story of destruction of an illusion,rebirth, and of love. Harvey's style is very melodramatic,very au Balzac, but in view of this story, it fits. I had to remind myself at times, that I was not reading a fictional novel, which is quite hard,since the story is pretty amazing. I recommend this book to all seekers, and friends of seekers, and especially gay seekers. Until now I would not have known where to direct anybody gay and seeker, who have to face the old, obsolete prejudices in most of spiritual/religious circles. People have started realize in the west, there are many wolves in sheep clothing, and ignorance seems to be eternal. People desire an identity,and hope, and (gay or not)in these dark times and are too often manipulated. There is a very beautifully written love story, life demonstrating the depth of the true love relationship facing obstacles. I am pretty open minded when it comes to energy treatments and so on. The parts of occult powers - well, stories go around, and everything is possible, although as Harvey write,s it seems to our rational minds completely insane. Somebody would maybe call it all psychological abuse, manipulation, but there are strange thing between this heaven and earth. All one can say, that Harvey and Eryk have been through a lot, and one wishes them a serene rest of the journey.

[Pauline]

Interesting!!

Andrew Harvey's celebrated book Hidden Journey chronicled the Oxford scholar's departure from the materialistic doctrine of Western academia to his embrace of mystical Christianity. Shortly after Hidden Journey's 1991 publication, however, Harvey experienced a schism with his then-guru that created shock waves throughout the spiritual world in which he is a leading mystical teacher.

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sad tale, disturbing and perplexing. When he mentions someone like "a leading American Buddhist" one cannot help but wonder who Harvey is talking about. Not a great book, but should be read by anyone who is swept away by "Hidden Journey" because this book provides another view of that journey, which indeed was largely hidden. Details were cherry picked for spin. Warning signs were ignored.

All in all, very perplexing.

[teri Ciacchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable fascinating a foundation for people who have been harassed and oppressed for their spiritual beliefs or for speaking out against those in power.