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The Method of the Siddhas: Talks on the Spiritual Technique of the Saviors of Mankind
Book by Da Avabhasa
- GenresNonfictionReligion
419 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 17, 2025
A collection of Adi Da’s early (brilliant) talks which critique narcissistic spirituality and psychology, while concurrently insisting that true god/self realization comes exclusively via surrender to the living Guru (who incidentally happens to be him 🤔).
Adi Da is (correctly) revered for his radical clarity and intensity. And just as often criticized (also correctly) for his intensely authoritarian tone.
He’s very confrontational.
He’s real as fuck.
He a genius at this stuff.
It’s all part of his deal.
He’s irresistible (at lease to me… at least lately).
And YIKES! 😳
My experience with Adi Da’s writing couldn’t be more conflicted. On one hand. I find it so clear, and forceful, that I just can’t seem to get enough. I just want more. It shakes me to my core. And I adore.
On the other hand.
He’s SO dang imperious at times, that I almost can’t stand it. Clearly the authoritarian stance is an integral part of the radical potency of the writing. It really pushes the reader (me in this instance) into a crisis of sorts. In a good way (sometimes).
But at the end of the day.
When push comes to shove to shove.
I just can’t 100% drink that nectar.
I remain pool side.
Or hot tub side as it were (these talks were delivered in LA in the mid 1970’s. And the vibe endures).
Anyway.
I will continue to read and contemplate, and benefit from the unparalleled genius of Adi Da’s brilliant writing. Truth be told. I love and revere him.
But I will (in all likelihood) remain (somewhat) guarded (at least until I don’t).
What can I say.
It’s just my honest experience.
5/5* (five stars ⭐️ with an asterisk *)
Adi Da is (correctly) revered for his radical clarity and intensity. And just as often criticized (also correctly) for his intensely authoritarian tone.
He’s very confrontational.
He’s real as fuck.
He a genius at this stuff.
It’s all part of his deal.
He’s irresistible (at lease to me… at least lately).
And YIKES! 😳
My experience with Adi Da’s writing couldn’t be more conflicted. On one hand. I find it so clear, and forceful, that I just can’t seem to get enough. I just want more. It shakes me to my core. And I adore.
On the other hand.
He’s SO dang imperious at times, that I almost can’t stand it. Clearly the authoritarian stance is an integral part of the radical potency of the writing. It really pushes the reader (me in this instance) into a crisis of sorts. In a good way (sometimes).
But at the end of the day.
When push comes to shove to shove.
I just can’t 100% drink that nectar.
I remain pool side.
Or hot tub side as it were (these talks were delivered in LA in the mid 1970’s. And the vibe endures).
Anyway.
I will continue to read and contemplate, and benefit from the unparalleled genius of Adi Da’s brilliant writing. Truth be told. I love and revere him.
But I will (in all likelihood) remain (somewhat) guarded (at least until I don’t).
What can I say.
It’s just my honest experience.
5/5* (five stars ⭐️ with an asterisk *)
February 11, 2021
Adi’s Da’s genius dharma. Seriously. This book contains some incredible description of spiritual phenomena. It can be incredibly elucidating at times. Very, very good. Genius dharma.
And yet, I am taking off 1 star with massive gravity.
I do this because I sense some subtle subterfuge, some subtle sleight of hand in this book. I think Da was capable of conveying some of these thing in other forms, and yet he chose not to. I have a feeling that Da may have liked being the supreme one, and liked having tons of devotees at his feet.
But the book is also interspersed with genius.
And yet, I am taking off 1 star with massive gravity.
I do this because I sense some subtle subterfuge, some subtle sleight of hand in this book. I think Da was capable of conveying some of these thing in other forms, and yet he chose not to. I have a feeling that Da may have liked being the supreme one, and liked having tons of devotees at his feet.
But the book is also interspersed with genius.
September 29, 2020
Even tho the author will go on to be controversial, this early work is probably the best book on the spiritual psychology ever written.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews