| Title | : | Himalayan Lust |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 8184950764 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9788184950762 |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 228 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2008 |
Himalayan Lust Reviews
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Himalayan Lust – Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, my spiritual Guru, is a contemporary Yogi, Mystic and living Enlightened Master, who created Isha Foundation and works tirelessly to revive our once great culture and long forgotten spiritual science through Yoga programs, creation of Consecrated spaces and multiple initiatives for rural poor and environment to uplift Human beings and their way of Life. The Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple created and consecrated by Sadhguru at the Isha Yoga Center in the Velliangiri foothills near Coimbatore is well known worldwide.
Himalayan Lust is one of his many books (being one of the most sought after spiritual speakers in global forums, it's natural that his writing is equally sought after by avid spiritual seekers worldwide) that provides a glimpse of Sadhguru's vast knowledge of Life as we know it, Life as it is and beyond (based on his experience of the dimensions beyond the physical). While I continue to ask myself "Who am I?" to review the words of wisdom from my Master who has figured out the answer for that eternal question from the endless beginning of time, I'm absolutely delighted to share the essence of this enchanting book so that more readers can enjoy the nectar of Sadhguru's boundless grace.
The book both is and isn't about Himalayas! Written as conversations that happened between the seekers (Isha meditators) and the Master during the Himalayan sojourn (an annual pilgrimage that's part of Isha's Sacred Walks program), this isn't a tour guide for the mighty Himalayas. This book isn't for the faint hearted nor is it for the pious ones who're tied up in their religious beliefs (which they automatically assume are unquestionable as they've been told to abide by them by their revered mutt head, grandmother, family priest or astrologer). If you're one of those occasional nut cases (according to your God fearing family and friends) who's daring to question long held beliefs, let go of the old ways and willing to tread a new path, this book is right up your alley. But beware; it won't be a nice journey, for my Master is like no other. He basically doesn't give a damn about anyone or anything – revered or not, unless he has experienced and understood that by himself. And when he speaks incisively and decisively about those first hand experiences, you'll either faint and fall over or will end up picking your jaws that've just dropped, for the nth time.
The book starts with Sadhguru's poem on the Himalayas (he has written many that are truly enchanting and deeply spiritual - “Eternal Echoes – The Sacred Sounds through the Mystic” is a collection of his poems). Sadhguru’s quote on the significance of the Himalayas in the beginning of the book, "If one is striving to grow, earthquakes and landslides keep happening in one's life", sets the tone for the blizzard that's about to sweep away the reader.
Himalayan Lust is compiled in four parts, to let readers take a deep breath (as many pages can leave you breathless) at the end of each part and contemplate on what hit them or how silly their long held beliefs appear all of a sudden, with Sadhguru's views and scientific explanations lifting the veil of our ignorance about things that we think we knew. The quotes below are by Sadhguru and appear in the beginning of each part of the book.
Part One: The Domain of Shiva (Kedarnath) - "There are only two or three things in the world which actually overwhelm me - Kedar is one of them."
Part Two: Life as Pilgrimage (Uttarkash, Guptakashi, Tapovan) - "If you walk through this life thinking too much of yourself, you're a vandal. If you take every step of your life in gratitude, if you see how small you are, you walk on this planet gently, like a pilgrim. This life could be your pilgrimage."
Part Three: No Take-away (Badrinath) - "A little insufficiency has brought you here; utter insufficiency will deliver you."
Part Four: Walking the Spiritual Path - "Every moment, whatever you step on, in many ways, you are only stepping on me."
Throughout the book, while responding to various questions (most are need-to-know for any seeker, but many are also naïve, understandably so), Sadhguru does talk about the significance of spaces such as Kedarnath (Aadi Yogi Shiva's abode), Kanti Sarovar (where this planet's first Yoga program happened), Badrinath (Shiva's earlier abode that became Vishnu's and considered one of the most holy places), UttarKashi (Kashi of the North, with the temple consecrated by Agastya muni himself), GuptaKashi (the secret Kashi, a powerful spiritual retreat for Yogis and Mystics), Rishikesh (a popular spiritual destination on the shore of the sacred Ganges known for the beautiful daily Aarti - light offering - to the river goddess) and Tapovan (a spiritual nest for many Yogis over centuries) and shares his own spiritual experience at each space.
The book is filled with amazing stories and interesting anecdotes from the long and vibrant history of this once great nation (known as Bharat Varsha), to open our eyes wide to what we ought to know but have neither been taught nor learned. Many an enlightened being including Lord Shiva (considered the Aadi Guru or first Guru in the Yogic path and not a religious God as we know him), Agastya, Pathanjali, Ashtavakra, Sunira, Ribu, Gautama the Buddha (an interesting insight on why he chose men for learning his teaching), Swaroopananda (the one who didn’t speak), Adi Shankara (one of the most important spiritual masters who practically revived Indian spirituality single handedly within just 32 years of Life), Lao Tzu (whose spiritual philosophy resembles that of Sadhguru’s) and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (he did indeed speak to and fed Mother Goddess Kali) walk through the pages of this enchanting book. Being a Master with a difference, Sadhguru naturally offers unknown perspectives of these well known beings and their doing.
Whether you're spiritual or not (most humans are incapable of differentiating being religious and spiritual), you'll relish Sadhguru's precise and decisive responses to the seekers' many questions about the Himalayas, the path of Yoga, the difference between saint, seer, yogi and enlightened being, the ancient science of consecration, why mystics won't fit into a defined social fabric, the power of mantras such as Shambho, his own previous births, Isha – the Yoga of the Divine, the inner-net through which he came to know of the mythical being Maitreya, the Dhyanalinga - the only such energy form in the universe - that took 3 births to complete and will last for several thousand years, his many Himalayan sojourns and experience of universe as Nada (sound) during one of them, how the Himalayan yogis recognize and acknowledge his true self, why Gurus use transmission than teaching, how we ended up having a multitude of Gods, the different bodies of every being, the occult and its purpose, the significance of flowers, the impact of global warming on spiritual spaces, what simply being with the Guru means, why compassion is better than love, the absurdity of our existence and how acceptance of our utter stupidity can lead to liberation, why non-identification doesn’t mean non-involvement, how blessing is like gasoline, why meditators go crazy and do weird things in his presence and the only two choices available for seekers. Naturally, his sharp wit too enthralls the reader all along.
Two things can happen on completing this book, which concludes with another poem by Sadhguru on “Guru Pournami” - Love and Lust! First, you'll immediately fall in love with nature in general and mountains in particular. Next, you will start longing to be in the lap of the mighty Himalayas or/and my Master, who'll only be glad to bless one more being with the possibility of eternal bliss through his boundless grace!
Happy reading & a joyful Life to all seekers :-)
Love + Gratitude = @PrakashSwamy
You may read my first Sathsang experience with my Master here.
http://swamyverse.blogspot.in/2012/12... -
In the books and authors that speak only about spirituality, I have gone through many books but finally found my home and solace in the books and words of Sadhguru. I can identify with every word that he speaks. Even if something that I am not able to understand, following some advises of his makes it possible for me to decipher the meaning of what he wanted to speak in that particular chapter or paragraph. I am just done reading his “Himalayan Lust” written in the year 2010. It has become my task these days to read all the books of Sadhguru one by one and follow the path of meditation. Because they he describes meditation and concentration, no one else does.
Himalayan Lust is about the conversation of Sadhguru with the seekers who joined his adventure of trekking over Himalayas. As everyone could not be with Sadhguru in this great experience of being at Himalaya, this book helps the reader to understand the thought process of each peak and mountain with significance as Sadhguru talks about specific topics only at respective peaks. The dialogues between the Seekers and the Sadhguru is nicely edited and presented which helps the reader to understand the topic in flow. Otherwise it would have been very messy for the reader to understand what exactly is being talked about.
Sadhguru answers many difficult questions like why saints chose only mountains for meditation, how does one know that which Guru is real, how does one understands that one is in need of meditation, how much is several myth related with a normal person who has never been in touch with meditation etc. The best thing about the book is that even after the book is based in Himalayas, Sadhguru presents his ideas and tools in such a way that it does not sound religious from any point of view. Any person of any religion will find his talks relevant and customized for himself. The only drawback of the book is that I found Sadhguru talking too much about his greatness in this book unlike many of his books and speeches. I was surprised to notice this again and again. Another problem is that the book is not much about Himalayas as the title goes. This is just another book on spirituality by Sadhguru but has nothing to do specifically with Himalayas or mountains. I give this book of Sadhguru 3.5 star out of 5.
Thanks.
ABHILASH RUHELA!!! -
Rating 3.5/5
Little bit disappointed with the book. Lesser on the Himalayan side, instead more to do with Sadhguru answering seeker's queries.
Overall a nice read, just was expecting a bit more depth with respect to Himalayas which somehow, seems to have taken a back seat rather(in the book). Here and there few short stories do exist, but going by the title was expecting a meaty chunk!
Cheers, -
Every seeker should read this book.
After reading this book, my lust for Himalaya increased many fold. I will deny death before I visit Himalaya at least once in my life... -
The title of the book is a misnomer of sorts. Apart from fleeting references to a few places well known places in Uttarakhand, this books isn't so much about the Himalayas at all. That was a big disappointment. Sadhguru would laugh, because he says in this book, that we are disappointed with things, because we judge, we have already made up our minds as to how we want something to be. And when it isn't, we are disappointed.
The style is mostly conversational. There are questions, and Sadhguru's responses. If you have heard him speak, you will know that he doesn't answer questions directly. More importantly, he has a style of speaking. Given that I haven't been able to fully appreciate it, I couldn't really enjoy this book for that reason as well.
Most importantly, a lot of what was said was mystical, more than logical. And Sadhguru stresses on this aspect - of not having a compulsive need to 'understand'. And yet, for a student of Vedanta, I realise that can be somewhat wanting, as it was for me. -
Makes you think about your life, how you have been living it wrong.
So many questions come popping into your head, makes you go crazy... -
The book is an attempt to answer the questions coming from devotees to Sadguru as he explains Lust for mountain or Himalayas. Compared to his other books, I find it less in contents and can give it 2.5 to 3 stars.
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A journey which has mounts and its relationship with sadhguru life and mystics
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This makes me want to revisit these mountains not just for their unparalleled beauty but also to have the larger than life experiences. Waiting to go for a pilgrimage soon - "Himalayan Lust"
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The word "Hima" in Sanskrit means "snow" and the word, "alaya" means "abode". But the mighty mountain ranges of the Himalayas are more than just an abode of snow. They are Mother Nature’s biggest miracle. The Himalayas are the roof of the world, overwhelming us with their sheer magnificence and size and humbling us by giving us a true perspective of how small and insignificant we humans are. Home to eight of the ten highest mountains in the world, with Mount Everest being the highest, the Himalayas are revered the world over. While adventurers look at the Himalayas as a constant challenge that helps them discover their inner strength, for those on a quest for beauty, these mountain ranges offer the most virgin, pristine and stunning landscapes ever known to man. But for individuals on a spiritual journey, the Himalayas are the ultimate destination.
These ancient mountains are considered the abode of the gods and the spiritual center of the world. Hundreds of temples and shrines dot the Himalayan foothills even as the mist-shrouded snow-capped peaks have given birth to many mythological stories and legends that form the backbone of India's many cultures and religions. In fact, a trip to the Himalayas is considered to be the ultimate pilgrimage in South-East Asia.
🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 🌓 -
Sadhguru simply does magic with his words and somehow that magic will touch you in so many different ways.
This is my first read of Sadhguru,This book is divided in four chapters with beautiful illustrations of the journey to the Himalayas.And after this book you definitely want to read other books of Sadhguru as well.
There are so many stories that has been included which will guide your way through and it also includes questions of seeker and their answers by Sadhguru.
In somewhat manner you will get the meaning of enlightenment that is what you are see and know is not actually what you are see and know 😌 -
This is one of the best book which depicts the possibilities of Himalayas for the serious spiritual seekers. The book that will make you expand your perspectives beyond the physical level of understanding. I think one should read this book to emancipate one's own doubts and clutches we have set in our minds on Spirituality.
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this book is crazy, completely fascinating. you explore shiva and occult is a different perspective. n not to mention Himalayan, if you want to pilgrimage Himalayan as I want to do so, then go get it quick.
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This book has quenched my thirst of knowing life as it is. It is less about the Himalayas from a traveller perspective. It is about your doubts regarding life being clarified by learning from the Himalayas.
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Tremendous book, but not for everyone I suppose. To trust this book one needs unconditional faith in the precepts. Sadhguru deserves the reverence that he is getting.
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Just be. That seems to be the essence of this book. Requires multiple readings.
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I love reading books on Indian spirituality because it keeps me grounded and encourages me to continue on the path of seeking the real truth of our existence and the million-dollar question of knowing "WHO AM I?"
This is my first book of Sadhguru because the title piqued my interest to travel the Himalayan journey along with the mystic yogi and to know about his spiritual idea and how he educates, or rather guides, his millions of 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘺𝘢𝘴 (disciples) about his spiritual philosophy.
The book is written in a conversational tone where questions are put forth by the seekers and the master's reply to those questions in a blatant, straight way sometimes and in a subtle, non-preachy manner at other times.
The book is more about the quest to know about the various life's aspects that is social, political, and religious (ritual) than about the Himalayas.
The book travels to many pilgrim centres in Uttarakhand from Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Uttarkashi, Guptkashi and Tapovan and talks about the spiritual significance of the place and what it means to the Indian seekers.
Sadhguru also answers the reason behind sages moving to mountains, the path of yoga, difference between sages and yogis, and other miscellaneous things.
I was expecting a different book when I started reading and at the end it left with some sort of incompleteness (subjective) as I didn't thoroughly cherish the book-reading experience.
My soul-searching journey continues...
𝕄𝕪 𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕒𝕕𝕙𝕘𝕦𝕣𝕦
"𝙰𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚘𝚖."
"𝙰 𝙶𝚞𝚛𝚞 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚌𝚑 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝙷𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚌𝚑."
"𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚕𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚛𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚒𝚜." -
Let me start with a caveat that I have followed Sadguru on and off. So it was a surprise to me that I didn't like this book. It read like a rehash of all the stuff that we have heard from him over a period of time. And maybe thats the point.
Spirituality is about being steadfast and disciplined on the path of practice, day in and day out. It is less about the books, literature and definitely not about spiritual fluff that is peddled these days in the name of enlightenment. No amount of simple or condensed articulation will take you anywhere compared to the actual pratice of meditation. That was my take from this book anyway. -
To those who are new to Sadhguru's Teachings it would be good for them. However, for the ones like me who are used to his talks and have read several other books, there is nothing in this book which I've haven't heard before.
I was expecting more information about Himalaya's but this book has few chapters dedicated to that. If you are new to his teachings then this book would be helpful else ignore and go for other ones. -
Good read but a little disappointed as it was more on Sadhguru's students asking questions and him giving answers during the Himalayan journey. Would have liked knowing more on the route, the temples, the natural beauty that was visited.
If you watch a lot of Sadhguru's videos, the book will feel like attending one of those events. Profound nonetheless. -
None of us reads the same book in the same way. I have always enjoyed listening to Sadhguru, not just for his spirituality, but also for his sheer ruthless expression of perceived realities. This book comes with a lot about a lot of things. With an ease of expression, in a QnA fashion, many topics have been touched upon. For me, it is a beginning of unraveling of the next step. Loved it!
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Every year, a group of Isha Foundation meditators sets out on a tour of the Himalayas. Accompanying them on this journey is Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev- a spiritual master considered by many to be one of the foremost living sages on the planet. This is a book for those who stayed behind. It is a chance to make a pilgrimage on the page, travelling through the unpredictable but fascinating terrain of the master's words. Amalgamating discourses and conversations from several yantras, it is a blend of the specific and the timeless. This book is not just about the Himalayas and yet, the book would never have happened without the Himalayas. The mountains play a vital role in the text, alternatively as context and catalyst, mood and metaphor. Without them, some of the questions in the book would never have been asked. Even if they sometimes seem parenthetic to the line of enquiry, they remain a powerful sunken presence, eventually becoming the very bedrock of this book. I would suggest you read this book when you're ready to feel the Himalayas freely.
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How much i read it doesn't matter... Experience is what counts
How much i read it doesn't matter... Experience experiment life in ways possible is what counts... He just confuses the hell. Out of u.... -
Got answer of unknown questions that I never realized having . What can I say more but this get your own answers.
