A Heart Poured Out: A Story of Swami Ashokananda [Hardcover]

Sister Gargi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2010

This fascinating biography tells the story of Swami Ashokananda (1893-1969), an illustrious teacher of the Ramakrishna Order who spent most of his life expanding the Vedanta movement in northern California while training his American students to lead authentic spiritual lives. Award-winning author Marie Louise Burke (Sister Gargi), his famed disciple, recounts the Swami's life and conversations in a personal style that is eloquent, witty, and wise. His powerful spiritual guidance-here brought to light for the first time-will help readers of all faiths deepen their religious practice."Soul-stirring account ... reveals the Swami's extraordinary spiritual stature with candor, integrity, and wit." -HUSTON SMITH, author of "The World's Religions" "Rapturously written biography of an intrinsically fascinating man ... highly recommended."-MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW "Compelling remembrance of a saintly life."-LIBRARY JOURNAL "Exhaustive yet engaging ... this rare account is well worth the wait." -YOGA JOURNAL

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A highly readable and deeply inspiring book as well as a testament to a great soul and his life." -- Vedanta Journal, Sept-October 2004

"Allows us the opportunity to . . . strengthen our lives with purpose, courage and wisdom." -- One!, Summer 2003

"An exhaustive yet engaging. . . . This rare account is well worth the wait." -- Yoga Journal, September/October 2003

"Compelling remembrance of a saintly life . . . recommended for public and academic libraries." -- Library Journal. April 1, 2003

"Conveys Swami Ashokananda's spiritual fervor . . . how he presented Vedanta as a philosophy and a religion of infinite hope." -- Spirituality and Health, May 2003

"For students of comparative religion, this will provide many insights." -- Bookviews, June 2003

"Sister Gargi has inspired thousands with her writings; once again we owe her a debt of loving gratitude." -- Light of Consciousness, Autumn 2003

"Takes the reader on a powerful journey of self-discovery as Sister Gargi relates her revealing story as Swami Ashokananda’s disciple." -- Leading Edge Reviews, Fall 2003

"Vivid insider's account . . . we learn about the relationship of this extraordinary teacher to his students in their day-to-day spiritual training." -- AZ Net News, Man/June 2003

The teachings of Swami Ashokananda are a welcome addition to the literature of the Vedanta movement. -- Common Ground, Spring 2003

From the Publisher

For more than forty years, Sister Gargi has written books that are revered classics in the Vedanta literature. Her new biography, the first time telling and long-awaited biography of her own spiritual teacher Swami Ashokananda, reveals the power of an authentic spiritual teacher and the insights gained during a lifetime of spiritual endeavor.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 472 pages
• Publisher: Kalpa Tree Press; 1ST edition (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970636814
• ISBN-13: 978-0970636812
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,174,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant heart and mind, March 1, 2003

By A Customer

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This review is from: A Heart Poured Out: A Story of Swami Ashokananda (Hardcover)

I was bowled over by this biography of a man of God who walked among us for a time. If you have never met a living saint, you have no idea how such a one combines power and love and humor in such a way as to make you KNOW your own divinity. Swami Ashokananda was one such man of God, and if you read "A heart poured out" you cannot fail to be blessed by his uncommon presence and enlightened by his remarkable teachings. Sister Gargi's book is a masterpiece of spiritual literature.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique and rapturously written biography, April 14, 2003

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Heart Poured Out: A Story of Swami Ashokananda (Hardcover)

A Heart Poured Out is the biography of Swami Ashokananda (1893-1969), who was a prominent monk of the Ramakrishna Order and a man who devoted most of his life to developing the Vedanta Society in San Francisco. Knowledgeably written by Sister Gargi, a disciple of Swami Ashokananda since 1948, A Heart Poured Out deftly covers the breadth of Ashokananda's life ranging from his childhood in India, to his enthusiastic dedication to personal spirituality, to his independence in daring to refute some of Mahatma Gandhi's political viewpoints. A Heart Poured Out is highly recommended as being a unique and rapturously written biography of an intrinsically fascinating man.