A Disciple's Journal: In the Company of Swami Ashokananda

by Sister Gargi, Marie Louise Burke

This is Sister Gargi's personal account of her spiritual training over two decades by Swami Ashokananda (1893-1969), the illustrious spiritual teacher of the Ramakrishna Order who headed the Vedanta Society of Northern California. Her journal starts in 1950 when the Swami started to teach her meditation in the Hindu tradition of Vedanta. Marie Louise Burke, as she was then known, went on to become a prominent literary figure in the Vedanta movement and later a respected monastic. This story takes readers on a powerful inner journey as Swami Ashokananda transforms the author's self-doubt into a rich and joyful spiritual quest.Sister Gargi is to be thanked for another important entry in the archives of world spirituality.-HUSTON SMITH, author of The World's ReligionsTouching, well-written portrait.-LIBRARY JOURNALThoughtful and uplifting.-MIDWEST BOOK REVIEWRare treasure of a book.-LIGHT OF CONSCIOUSNESSDeeply inspiring and a sheer pleasure to read.-VRAJAPRANA, author of Vedanta: A Simple Introduction

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2003

Reviews

[Ankur Acharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully honest book by a seeker of God. Sister Gargi has done us all a great favor by publishing her journal. We get practical insights, shocking revelations (not in the sense of scandalous but in the sense of being unexpected), and helpful hints to cope with the stresses and trials and encounters on our spiritual journey. Swami Ashokananda appears as a genuine sage, a compassionate Rishi in the hoary Indian tradition. His teachings, as of any true sage transcends religion itself and is for all of humanity who seek to know themselves, understand themselves and who stop to ponder on the wonders and mysteries and purpose of creation.

[Swami Arunachalananda Puri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Gem

[Ruth B Perini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, heart felt, compassionate and honest without glossing over human faults.