Can You Listen to a Woman: A Man's Journey to the Heart [Paperback]

David Forsee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999

What happens when a man meets a woman whose teachings have the power to draw him back to his own heart? Will he listen? This is the story of how one man’s life changed dramatically when he did.

Can You Listen to a Woman is the story of a man living a conventional North American life, who meets a yogini, Swami Sivananda Radha, who helps him transform his life. David Forsee interweaves his life with Swami Radha’s and invites you to be present in their most intimate moments of joy, support and challenge. His stories will touch you with their honesty and inspire you to seek meaning in your own life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Toronto, David Forsee (1944- ) graduated from university with a B.A. in English Literature. He worked as a CBC radio journalist and in the 1970s developed a business as an independent trucking contractor in northern Ontario, where he married and lived with his wife and their daughter.

David first met Swami Radha at her Ashram in 1979. Following the three-month Yoga Development Course in 1982, he moved with his family to the ashram and has been actively engaged in Swami Radha’s work ever since. In 1991 he took an initiation into sanyas (the path of renunciation and selfless service) to become Swami Gopalananda.

Over the years he developed a close relationship with Swami Radha as a devotee and friend, and in the latter years of her life worked closely with her on the production of her video biography. This led to her request that he write this book to discover what he had learned from their relationship.

Swami Gopalananda is currently on the Board of Directors of Yasodhara Ashram and the Editorial Board which oversees the continuing publication of Swami Radha’s work.

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Timeless Books (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 093145493X
• ISBN-13: 978-0931454936
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,041,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ultimately disappointing, July 22, 1999

By 

Warren C. Norwood - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can You Listen to a Woman: A Man's Journey to the Heart (Paperback)

What women does he listen to? Where is the evidence?

He tell us how important his relationships with Donna and Alicia are, but he does not let us see those relationships. He does not let the reader hear Donna, nor does he show himself listening to her. He tells us dramatically that Swami Radha talked to him and Donna and Alicia about the deeper possibilities of marriage, but he does not show those. The old rule in theater is that if you drag a cannon on stage, at some point in the play you have to fire it. He dragged in the cannon of possibility then never fired a shot.

Throughout the book he kept himself hidden, and his relationship with Donna, his wife, hidden, and his relationship with Alicia, his daughter, hidden, and his relationship with Swami Radhananda hidden--despite his praise for her in the dedication.

I look forward to the book he will write one day where he stands in the Divine Light and reveals the truth that can help all struggling on their Paths. I pray that when he has truly had a glimpse of the Goddess and seen the stars of enlightenment in her eyes, he will allow his ego to dissolve. Then that rock in his path will indeed fall apart and allow him to pass.

With great respect for his intent, I offer him, Prayers and best wishes.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Journey to Light, January 30, 2002

By 

Holli Brown (Spokane, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can You Listen to a Woman: A Man's Journey to the Heart (Paperback)

I was very inspired by this book. Inspiration comes to me when I enter into a place of "spirit" and out of the day-to-day. David Forsee has shared such an intimate life experience that it was impossible not to have it touch my own life. It connected so quickly with me because it is an account of an ordinary man who is transformed by his willingness to see his own heart -- with the guidance of his teacher. His struggles in coming to terms with accepting his female guru helped me to gain perspective as a woman living and working in a man's world. I have discussed this book with a male friend who also found it very inspiring and insightful. If you are on your own journey to discover your divine nature and connection with spirit, you will find this book most helpful in understanding your own experiences through the experiences of David Forsee.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tonic in an age of spiritual "junk-food", April 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Can You Listen to a Woman: A Man's Journey to the Heart (Paperback)

Can You Listen to a Woman is as moving an account of the soul's pilgrimage as I have ever read. It's honesty an courage come as a tonic in an age when spiritual "junk-food" is on the increase everywhere. I recommend it warmly to all who are really concerned about seeing more of the Light as they journey on. A compelling read.

Tom Harpur Author of Prayer: the Hidden Fire