MERGING WITH SHIVA COMMENTS

You will enjoy this new review of Merging with Siva from a revered elder swami of the Ramakrishan MIssion in Bangalore

As requested by you, my observations on the contents of the book are being sent to you. It is not from a scholarly critic, but as an earnest seeker of truth, i.e. Siva, which is the very life of all, especially for a monk.

We find in it the teachings of a respected spiritual guide, based on his studies, experiments and experiences in the path of spiritual quest, extending for half a century.

A happy feature, as in traditional works, is that the beginning and end deal with the same blessed topic, and pervaded all through by the holy theme: Siva is the Supreme Being, who is the root and fruit of ALL holy quest, nay the very Source, Support and blessed goal of ALL creatures and creation itself. It is 'Siva' that is known and worshipped by different aspirants as 'Sat,' 'Brahman', 'Devi', 'Narayana', etc. Siva is the one real and ultimate Guru, the one Sat-guru, and it is His light and grace only that holy human guides, whom we call as gurus, seek to convey to the aspirant. Among them it is the rare guide, who is rooted in 'Sat' Ñ the sole Reality, ever-existent, luminous and blissful Ñ and is capable of leading the true aspirant to 'Sat', and enable him to merge in it, the 'Siva who is also the inner Guru, shining in the core of the heart of every creature Ñ that is a Satguru.

Humanity eagerly seeks such luminous spirits so that by faithfully following the guidance given, they too can reach 'Sat' and lead lives based on 'Sat' making their lives a blessing to themselves and others amidst whom they live.

'SaivaÐSiddhanta' is one of the important schools of philosophy in Hinduism, and the author of the present book is an eminent modern exponent of the same, engaged also in the task of bringing together the Hindus scattered all over outside India, and trying to harmonize their thoughts and practices.

THE BOOK DEALS WITH HOLY LIFE, THE THEME IS 'SIVA-ORIENTED' AND MAINTAINS A HIGH LEVEL, THE LANGUAGE IS CLEAR AND FORCEFUL, THE FINE PRINTING MAKES IT EASY ON THE EYES. IT IS BOUND TO ATTRACT AND ALSO BENEFIT VARIOUS SEEKERS IN GENERAL, AND IN PARTICULAR THE ADHERENTS OF THE SAIVAÐSIDDHANTA TRADITION.

HAPPILY THE ACCENT IS ON EARNEST PRACTICE AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, RATHER THAN INTELLECTUAL OR SENTIMENTAL SATISFACTION. NATURALLY, WHILE MANY MAY BE DRAWN TO READING THE BOOK, AS IT IS VERY READABLE, ONLY THOSE WHO TAKE TO EARNEST PRACTICE WILL GET THE TRUE BENEFIT IN LIFE. ONLY THOSE WHO ARE EARNEST ABOUT LEADING A HOLY LIFE CAN TEST THE TEACHINGS GIVEN AND TESTIFY TO THEIR VALIDITY IN LIFE. (Note: ALL CAPS indicates Italics)

A small suggestion if acceptable: Instead of the term 'old' souls, used in some places, 'mature' or 'more evolved' souls may be more appropriate for such a work.

Personally I offer my prayerful best wishes and regards to all those connected with the publication Ñ from the revered author to all his collaborators Ñ monastic or lay.

Swami Sastrananda

SWAMI SASTRANANDA has been a monastic member of the RAMAKRISHNA ORDER, for half a century.

He has served the Order as needed in its centers at Bangalore, Calcutta, and Chandigarh in India, and in Hollywood (USA) and Singapore abroad. At Chandigarh and Singapore he was the head of the Ramakrishna Mission Centers for about two decades.

In all the centers he has tried to spread the message of Vedantic Hinduism as lived and taught by RamakrishnaÐVivekananda. For this purpose he has also written a number of books, covering various fields of life, through essays, biographical sketches of holy lives, poems, songs, and dramas, etc., stressing the innate divinity of all human beings and of making the noble truths as part of one's life.