Guru and Disciple: An Encounter with Sri Gnanananda Giri, a Contemporary Spiritual Master

by Abhishiktananda, Atmananda Udasin (Editor), James Stuart (Translator)

Swami Abhishiktananda (Henri Le Saux, 1910-1973) was one of the most fascinating spiritual figures of the 20th century and a bridge-builder between East and West. In his extraordinary book Guru and Disciple , Swami Abhishiktananda gives a vivid and magnificent account of his meeting with Sri Gnanananda Giri, an Advaitic sage whom he met at his ashram in Tamil Nadu. He regarded this encounter as one of the high points of his life in India, for it was at that time that he recognized him as his guru. Through the intense upadesha (teaching) and unreserved grace of Sri Gnanananda, Swami Abhishiktananda was led closer to the heart of Advaita.

He spoke of his retreat with him as days of grace, “days of peace and fulfilment… when one was conscious of living at a spiritual depth in which the whole world of outward appearance has been left behind and one has come close to what is Real.” Indeed, he received from his guru the purest teaching of a jnani (realized sage)—which was none other than the timeless message of the Behind the appearance of the phenomenal ego is the Ultimate Reality, the eternal Self of All, which can be directly realized.

Guru and Disciple has been praised by many as a classic and as being one of the most remarkable introductions in recent times to the importance of meditation ( dhyana ) and the essential nature of the spiritual master—the guru tattva —of which Sri Gnanananda Giri was the perfect embodiment.

188 pages, Paperback

Published April 3, 2014

About the author

See also: Henri Le Saux

Abhishiktananda (30 August 1910, in Saint Briac, Brittany – 7 December 1973, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India) (Sanskrit:अभिषिक्तानन्द), born Henri Le Saux, was a French monk who, having moved to India in 1948 in search of a more radical form of spiritual life, adopted sannyasa in accordance with Indian tradition and became one of the pioneers of Hindu-Christian dialogue. Multiple contacts with prominent saints such as Sri Ramana Maharshi, Sri Gnanananda Giri and Sri H.W.L. Poonja, led him to profound advaitic experience as well as to final recognition of the truth of advaita during the last years of his life.

Reviews

[Himabindu Kolla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a profound exploration of the spiritual bond between a master and disciple. capturing the wisdom and serenity of Sri Gnanananda Giri. The book is an enlightening read for those seeking deeper spiritual understanding. Its narratives and reflections are both inspiring and transformative.i am yet to finish it.

[Abhishek Subramanian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing of the book is not very engaging, but the content itself is. I was blessed with an opportunity to visit tapovanam, this is fantastic.