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Pilgrimage on the Path of Love
Pilgrimage on the Path of Love is the story of a woman on the spiritual path who travels alone to India. Arriving in New Delhi, expecting to be her publisher's guest, she finds herself instead in a Buddhist guest house run by lamas from Ladakh. There she is introduced to Tibetan Buddhism and befriends a lama. Traveling to a Himalayan hill station to write, and living very simply, she meets people from all over the world who share their wisdom of life. While recovering from a sprained ankle in a Buddhist monastery, she experiences a deepening of faith in the eternal harmony of creation. Finally, she embarks on a momentous journey to Ladakh, the Last Shangri-La, to await the lama she loves. There, her faith is severely tested, but she emerges triumphant with a deeper understanding of her purpose in life and the meaning of true love.
317 pages, Paperback
Published October 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 18, 2017
I loved this book. Pilgrimage on the Path of Love is one of those rare novels that manages to combine great storytelling with genuine and profound spiritual insights and experiences in a completely natural way. The essence of the book is about the search for the truth of life, and for supreme love, both human and divine.
Written in autobiographical style, I found the prose vivid and immediate, so that I really entered into the experiences of the narrator, Shantila Martin, an American woman writer living in the UK. She visits India for the publication of her first book, and finds herself on an unexpected journey.
Her experiences of the vibrancy of Indian life in Delhi, and later in Manali and Ladakh, are vividly depicted, and descriptions of the scenery of the Himalayas are breathtaking, reminding me of the wonderful paintings of Nicholas Roerich. The writing is so alive that we feel every bump in the road, every intense discomfort of life in this extraordinary country, and all Shantila’s responses. We are also able to share in her experiences of its astonishing beauty and spirituality, and enjoy her many meetings with interesting and remarkable people.
There is real spiritual poetry in this book, in the descriptions of nature, and in Shantila’s profound experiences during her visits to Temples and Monasteries, often reverberating with the devotional chanting of Buddhist monks. The descriptions of the transcendental nature of her own meditation are beautiful, and one feels this must be the first hand experience of the author.
As the book gains momentum, all of her experiences together - painful, blissful and reflective, combine to help her unfold deeper and deeper layers of realisation of the true nature of love, and of the ultimate unity of all life. In response to the doubts expressed by one reviewer, I feel it’s a strength of the book that the narrator is depicted as a woman with normal vulnerabilities, rather than as a superwoman. It shows that genuine desire for spiritual growth can transform all our lives to higher states of consciousness.
This book was a really inspiring read. It’s a heartfelt book - full of enjoyment of the beauty of life, and a celebration of the highest spiritual values of human consciousness and its relationship to the Divine. I missed it when I had finished it, and am looking forward to more from this author.
Read less
Written in autobiographical style, I found the prose vivid and immediate, so that I really entered into the experiences of the narrator, Shantila Martin, an American woman writer living in the UK. She visits India for the publication of her first book, and finds herself on an unexpected journey.
Her experiences of the vibrancy of Indian life in Delhi, and later in Manali and Ladakh, are vividly depicted, and descriptions of the scenery of the Himalayas are breathtaking, reminding me of the wonderful paintings of Nicholas Roerich. The writing is so alive that we feel every bump in the road, every intense discomfort of life in this extraordinary country, and all Shantila’s responses. We are also able to share in her experiences of its astonishing beauty and spirituality, and enjoy her many meetings with interesting and remarkable people.
There is real spiritual poetry in this book, in the descriptions of nature, and in Shantila’s profound experiences during her visits to Temples and Monasteries, often reverberating with the devotional chanting of Buddhist monks. The descriptions of the transcendental nature of her own meditation are beautiful, and one feels this must be the first hand experience of the author.
As the book gains momentum, all of her experiences together - painful, blissful and reflective, combine to help her unfold deeper and deeper layers of realisation of the true nature of love, and of the ultimate unity of all life. In response to the doubts expressed by one reviewer, I feel it’s a strength of the book that the narrator is depicted as a woman with normal vulnerabilities, rather than as a superwoman. It shows that genuine desire for spiritual growth can transform all our lives to higher states of consciousness.
This book was a really inspiring read. It’s a heartfelt book - full of enjoyment of the beauty of life, and a celebration of the highest spiritual values of human consciousness and its relationship to the Divine. I missed it when I had finished it, and am looking forward to more from this author.
Read less
December 19, 2025
“Written lucidly, this book is the perfect amalgamation of spiritual awakening and self-discovery. What stands out in the narrative is her utmost optimism and unshaken faith in God. When faced with difficulties, she surrenders herself to Him and derives energy from her firm belief that the right path will be illuminated by the Creator….“
Muskaan Sharma, Life Positive magazine, India
"Pilgrimage on the Path of Love is a spiritually enriching journey that takes readers deep into the heart of human existence. The core message is that our life's voyage leads us to the inner sanctum of our hearts, where the truth of existence and the meaning of life reside.
I loved how she embodied a fusion of East and West, adding a unique dimension to her spiritual quest, with her spiritual calling leading her to India where she embarks on a suspenseful journey toward spiritual awakening and liberation, with many connections teaching her along the way.
This book is a compelling read for those seeking wisdom and a deeper understanding of the human experience. I found it prompted contemplation on the interconnectedness of all sentient beings and offers a narrative that can enhance spiritual exploration. A truly recommended read."
Dawn Livingstone, Scotland
Muskaan Sharma, Life Positive magazine, India
"Pilgrimage on the Path of Love is a spiritually enriching journey that takes readers deep into the heart of human existence. The core message is that our life's voyage leads us to the inner sanctum of our hearts, where the truth of existence and the meaning of life reside.
I loved how she embodied a fusion of East and West, adding a unique dimension to her spiritual quest, with her spiritual calling leading her to India where she embarks on a suspenseful journey toward spiritual awakening and liberation, with many connections teaching her along the way.
This book is a compelling read for those seeking wisdom and a deeper understanding of the human experience. I found it prompted contemplation on the interconnectedness of all sentient beings and offers a narrative that can enhance spiritual exploration. A truly recommended read."
Dawn Livingstone, Scotland
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews