Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogi's Autobiography

Description

In this tell-all autobiography, Sri M writes about his fascinating journey as a young man from the southern coast of India to the mystical Himalayan Mountains. At the age of nineteen and a half, he felt an irresistible urge to go to the Himalayas in quest for his great Master. He finally met his Master at the Vyasa Cave, beyond the Badrinath shrine. After spending three and half years with his Master, wandering freely across the length and breadth of the Himalayan ranges, he was instructed to go back to live in the plains and lead a normal life. He started working for a living, fulfilled his social commitments, and prepared himself to teach others all that he had learned and experienced. This book reveals the spiritual journey of a young lad from Kerala, who by his sincerity and dedication evolved into a living yogi. Sri M shares his knowledge of the Upanishads and spiritual insights born out of first hand experiences in his autobiography. Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master will make for an engaging and riveting read for those interested in the life and teachings of Sri M.

SRI M -spiritual teacher, social reformer, educationist and author- was born Mumtaz Ali into a Muslim family on November 6, 1949 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. His transformational journey from young boy to yogi is a story of single-minded discipline and dedication. He established the Satsang Foundation twenty years ago as a meeting point for spiritual seekers of all persuasions. Conversant with the principles and beliefs of most major religions, Sri M's teachings seek to transcend the outer shell of all religions by exploring the core of their teachings and nurturing the innate goodness in every human being. Sri M's autobiography, Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogi's Autobiography, was first published in 2011, and was followed by Journey Continues: A Sequel to Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master in 2017. Sri M has also authored several texts on the Upanishads, on meditation and a novel, Shunya. His latest book, On Meditation: Finding Infinite Bliss and Power Within, was published by Penguin Random House in 2019. All his books have been translated into numerous Indian languages. Among the many awards and honors he has received for his contribution to society, Sri M was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India, in January 2020 for distinguished service of high order in spirituality.

This is an astounding book replete with miracles, meetings with masters, description of higher levels of consciousness and spiritual attainment. It is a rather strange tale. -- Dr Karan Singh, Tribune News Service Sri M is an enlightened soul, a Guru whom I met years ago. Sri M is very accessible.... I wish he would take me as a disciple but I will have to wait for another birth when I am more evolved. -- Maneka Gandhi, Mathrubhoomi Whether or not you are a skeptic, this beautifully produced book makes for compelling reading. And, hey, the author is around, if you want to grill him about the harder to believe elements in the book. -- The Herald of India The autobiography deals with transformation of Mumtaz Ali Khan into Sri M as he went on acquiring profound knowledge of the Upanishads, deep personal insights and a higher level of consciousness. Descriptions on the beneficial effects of yoga, meditation and metaphysics are fascinating. Sri M is often termed as modern day Kabir Das. -- The Hindu It is prophetic that he will use the name 'Sri M', which will remind him of his Babaji Maheshwarnath, who comes across as the "great master, wise, powerful and loving." The book is, in fact, a tribute to him. For anybody who has interest in mysticism, Sufism and Vedanta, Sri M's autobiography is, indeed, a treasure-trove. -- The Organizer What stands out about this book is that its narrative exudes a sense of wonder, for the author often uses the word 'strange' to describe his experiences. Some of the instances that he recounts challenge your sense of belief and disbelief so much, that you don't quite know what to believe. But a little deeper reading, however, renders more meaning to the narrative than is apparent at first glance. He deals easily and honestly with the mistrust between religions just as he also shows how these boundaries can melt away. --'Speaking Tree', The Times of India