Confession time: though I review a lot of spiritual books, it’s rare to find one that I absolutely rave about. In fact, in many cases I just glance through the book, form a general impression, write down a few quotes and that’s it. Book review done.
Sometimes a book comes just at the right time – and for me this is one such book. It just blows me away on so many levels.
Before you read my review, you have to realize that this is the personal story of Seymour Ginsburg’s meeting of Sri Madhava Ashish – enriched with the many letters Ashish wrote Ginsburg (minus personal stuff) and a few of his articles. The result is a book that takes you along Ginsburg’s spiritual path, while Ashish takes him by the hand. Ginsburg, being successful and therefore (from a worldly perspective) rightly stubborn is not the easiest man to take by the hand. But Ashish keeps helping him stay with the essence, while also being patient with his side tours.
Spiritual Growth, Development and Real spirituality
Having decided to go to India in within two years, I’ve found my own spiritual development come to a head. And while that may be a good thing in the long run, in the short run it’s never easy. Because, and few people seem to realize this, spiritual breakthroughs are painful.
I don’t mean I’m going through some dark night of the soul thing. I’m just saying that I was ready for a fresh look at what the spiritual path is all about. This book is just that, and much more.
I’ve read my way through tons of theosophical and other spiritual books, so I’m not your average reader. Still, this book seems to me the kind of book that can be read by someone who is new to the spiritual path as much as by one who has been traveling for a while. That means it’s also the kind of book I expect will be reread a LOT. Each time one finds something new.
Ashish defines the spiritual goal as the attainment of a unitive vision: that is the inner knowledge that everything is ONE. BUT, he warns, even those who really have this vision may not be able to talk about it very well. Still, what they say is more valuable than what others have to say who are only very learned, or have magnetic personalities etc.
Read the full review: The Masters Speak: An American Businessman Encounters Ashish and Gurdjieff, Seymour B. Ginsburg
Read quotes from this book: Sri Madhava Ashish quotes
Buy now: The Masters Speak: An American Businessman Encounters Ashish and Gurdjieff