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At the Eleventh Hour: The biography of Swami Rama
At the Eleventh Hour is more than just a biography about the accomplishments of Himalayan master Swami Rama and an overview of the profound system of yogic knowledge he brought to the West. This book tells the story of Swamiji through the eyes of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, his devoted student and successor as the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute. As you read Pandit Tigunait's account of life with his master, you will gain insight into the guru-disciple relationships Swami Rama had both with his master and with his own students. This book serves as a guide to some of the more esoteric practices of tantra not commonly known or understood in the West. It brings you to holy places in India, to the source of the Himalayan Tradition, revealing why these sacred sites are important and how to go about visiting them. The wisdom in these stories penetrates beyond the power of words. Discover the legacy of a true Himalayan master and the nature of the yogic wisdom he shared. Purchase your copy of At the Eleventh Hour today!
- GenresSpiritualityNonfiction
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 30, 2023
This book, to a large extent, fills out some of the missing details and information in Swami Rama's "Living with the Himalayan Masters". The author has, especially, done exceedingly well in providing us with certain facts concerning Swami Rama's childhood, parents, adolescence, the incidents that led to the Swamiji's abdication of His Sankaracharyahood, and the renunciation of His marriage life.
There are also some very interesting and useful pieces information that are never mentioned in any other books by or on Swami Rama. For instance,
1. The history and worship of Goddess Chinnamasta
2. That Swami Rama learnt Kung-Fu
3. That Swami Rama was never seen reading any books
4. That Swami Rama met sages Durvasa and Agastya, as well as Lord Rama.
5. That Swami Rama renounced sanyas twice.
The second half of the book, which begins at chapter 12, could have even better if the the author had concentrated on the the scientific experiments that Swami Rama subjected Himself to, and on the infighting and the lawsuit that further fragmented and splintered the Himalayan Institute.
The last chapter could have been further expanded, given the author's intimate knowledge of and information on his Guru, to include more details about the last days of Swami Rama. People who are acquainted with the Swamiji's teachings and tradition might be keen on learning more about the spiritual juggernaut's last moments on earth.
In my opinion, this book and "Walking with a Himalayan Master" by Justin O'Brien should be read after finishing Swami Rama's "Living with the Himalayan Masters". This book traces Swami Rama's history in a more chronological fashion than "Living with the Himalayan Masters".
P.S. By the way, at many places on the net, it has been said that Swami Rama received His education, among many places, in Oxford University. The author of the present volume mentioned that but once; however, details of when He did so are not found anywhere.
There are also some very interesting and useful pieces information that are never mentioned in any other books by or on Swami Rama. For instance,
1. The history and worship of Goddess Chinnamasta
2. That Swami Rama learnt Kung-Fu
3. That Swami Rama was never seen reading any books
4. That Swami Rama met sages Durvasa and Agastya, as well as Lord Rama.
5. That Swami Rama renounced sanyas twice.
The second half of the book, which begins at chapter 12, could have even better if the the author had concentrated on the the scientific experiments that Swami Rama subjected Himself to, and on the infighting and the lawsuit that further fragmented and splintered the Himalayan Institute.
The last chapter could have been further expanded, given the author's intimate knowledge of and information on his Guru, to include more details about the last days of Swami Rama. People who are acquainted with the Swamiji's teachings and tradition might be keen on learning more about the spiritual juggernaut's last moments on earth.
In my opinion, this book and "Walking with a Himalayan Master" by Justin O'Brien should be read after finishing Swami Rama's "Living with the Himalayan Masters". This book traces Swami Rama's history in a more chronological fashion than "Living with the Himalayan Masters".
P.S. By the way, at many places on the net, it has been said that Swami Rama received His education, among many places, in Oxford University. The author of the present volume mentioned that but once; however, details of when He did so are not found anywhere.
May 13, 2010
Just awesome for spiritual seekers, especially who are on the siddha path..
May 28, 2013
Excellent Read to all those who are Spiritually inclined
March 20, 2016
My heart filled with divine potency. Panditji's vibrant stories jump off the pages and take you on a voyage of spiritual excellence.
March 5, 2009
What a life! What a bunch of new concepts to absorb and think about.
July 13, 2019
Swamy Rama was a great yogi who challenged sceptics and proved that science had only discovered only one percent of the capabilities of a human beings mind and body. Unlike his other books, I did not enjoy this book. It felt like less organized in thoughts. I found the book interesting from the middle. If you are a swamy Rama fan, you should read it.
April 2, 2020
An exceptional and enchanting journey.
December 4, 2020
A must read!
Very good book! How very fortunate Panditji was to have learned and experienced all that he did from Swami Rama.
Very good book! How very fortunate Panditji was to have learned and experienced all that he did from Swami Rama.
April 4, 2023
While I found "Masters of the Himalayas" fascinating and wanted to know more about Swami Rama, this biography was rather long-winded and I actually lost interest at times...skimmed much of it.
April 2, 2020
Beautiful read very touching and enlightening.
It was Wonderful to read this rendition of Panditji of his Guru, Beautifully he has surmised the teachings of Swami Rama and narrated his experiences with him. There were lot of learnings and revisions.
It was Wonderful to read this rendition of Panditji of his Guru, Beautifully he has surmised the teachings of Swami Rama and narrated his experiences with him. There were lot of learnings and revisions.
July 18, 2018
Author, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, has done a masterful job in writing the biography of the late Spiritual Master, H.H. Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas, considered by many to have been the greatest Yoga Master of the 20th Century.
Since coming to America in the late 60's much has been written about the mysterious, highly-advanced sage we've come to know simply as Swami Rama. And since leaving his body in late 1996 many have told the story of 'their' experiences with this great being. But even with what seems to be good intentions, and in some cases, not so good intentions, either way, the attempt to write about the vast nature of Swami Rama is much like trying to capture an ocean in a tea cup in the midst of a fierce hurricane. Unlike many other writings, this isn't one of those books who's authors gather second-hand stories, far-fetched rumors, and tell of their own experiences to gush praise upon their teacher in order to prop up their own fragile egos to the eyes of the world.
Being successor to Swami Rama in the 5000 year old tradition of Himalayan Masters, Tigunait's account transcends all other writings about the great saint of India. Singularly, He transmits a selflessly-written, living, breathing document that ruminates from his many years of close proximity under the tutelage of the great Master and expounds upon and fills in the blanks to the mysterious stories found in Rama's own, "Living With The Himalayan Masters," the 1978 account of the teachings received and the experiences had since childhood with the many saints, sages and adepts in the Himalayas and throughout India.
You may find "At The Eleventh Hour" to not only be a book that you can't put down as you go through it cover-to-cover, but one that you'll considered a lifetime companion.
In years to come these writings may very well be considered, as many now consider them, Scipture.
Since coming to America in the late 60's much has been written about the mysterious, highly-advanced sage we've come to know simply as Swami Rama. And since leaving his body in late 1996 many have told the story of 'their' experiences with this great being. But even with what seems to be good intentions, and in some cases, not so good intentions, either way, the attempt to write about the vast nature of Swami Rama is much like trying to capture an ocean in a tea cup in the midst of a fierce hurricane. Unlike many other writings, this isn't one of those books who's authors gather second-hand stories, far-fetched rumors, and tell of their own experiences to gush praise upon their teacher in order to prop up their own fragile egos to the eyes of the world.
Being successor to Swami Rama in the 5000 year old tradition of Himalayan Masters, Tigunait's account transcends all other writings about the great saint of India. Singularly, He transmits a selflessly-written, living, breathing document that ruminates from his many years of close proximity under the tutelage of the great Master and expounds upon and fills in the blanks to the mysterious stories found in Rama's own, "Living With The Himalayan Masters," the 1978 account of the teachings received and the experiences had since childhood with the many saints, sages and adepts in the Himalayas and throughout India.
You may find "At The Eleventh Hour" to not only be a book that you can't put down as you go through it cover-to-cover, but one that you'll considered a lifetime companion.
In years to come these writings may very well be considered, as many now consider them, Scipture.
May 21, 2016
I have always meant to read "The Autobiography of a Yogi" by Yogananda. It is required reading for yoga students, but I just never picked it up. "At the Eleventh Hour," I have decided, is my replacement. After visiting some of Swami Rama's favorite places in India, I was drawn to learn more about him and remove some of the mystery around his persona. What came forth is a rich understanding of a deeply committed yoga practitioner who set in motion an amazing movement in the US. I feel grateful to be a part of his lineage, and to know more about his life.
August 14, 2013
Fascinating and worthwhile read for all spiritual seekers. :)
January 13, 2018
On a life in service
Beautifully written and in essence reminds us to be in service from the eyes of a sage and his disciple.
Beautifully written and in essence reminds us to be in service from the eyes of a sage and his disciple.
January 30, 2012
An epitome of Guru Bhakti.
April 19, 2017
A deep, beautiful reading to come back again and again.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews