Search in Secret India

Rating:
Summary: Interesting book.
Review: A Search in Secret India - Paul Brunton This book is a curious report of an English journalist's contact with the "mysterious" India. Armed with the best intentions possible in that time, Paul Brunton reveals to us all the prejudices and deformed ideas that the Occident has of the East. And he played a role in the vulgarization of several erroneous ideas that nowadays are accepted with the largest naturalness. Of special interest is the chapter IX "The Hill of the Holy Fire", where P. Brunton tells us his encounter with Shri Ramana Maharshi, a true Illuminated (obs: the ones that surrounded him at the end of his life and that proclaimed themeselves as their heirs weren't of the master's height). The reading of that chapter is worth the book!

Rating:
Summary: Interesting book.
Review: A Search in Secret India - Paul Brunton This book is a curious report of an English journalist's contact with the "mysterious" India. Armed with the best intentions possible in that time, Paul Brunton reveals to us all the prejudices and deformed ideas that the Occident has of the East. And he played a role in the vulgarization of several erroneous ideas that nowadays are accepted with the largest naturalness. Of special interest is the chapter IX "The Hill of the Holy Fire", where P. Brunton tells us his encounter with Shri Ramana Maharshi, a true Illuminated (obs: the ones that surrounded him at the end of his life and that proclaimed themeselves as their heirs weren't of the master's height). The reading of that chapter is worth the book!

Rating:
Summary: Sincere account of a westerner about yogis & sages of India
Review: Dr.Paul Brunton visits India in the early part of this century in search of yogis and mystics. He was fortunate to meet some true saints and finally he reaches his master, Maharishi (The great sage) Ramana of Arunachala (The red mountain) and finds what he came for. This book is a sincere account of a rational and skeptical westerner who was very impartial, but had the guidance of light from God which apparently moved in in the right direction. This book can serve as a lighthouse for both westerners and even the young Indians of this age who can appreciate what they are gifted with than anybody else in the world

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Summary: OH- MEN YOU POSSESS SOMETHING
Review: One of my GURU asked me to read this book. when I start to read I do not know someone keeps on telling me that do not stop reading.

After finished my reading Iam fully convinced that there is something in our GOD given life not only work/eat/sleep. you are the GOD and you can see GOD in others.

Rating:
Summary: A good book
Review: Overall I found this to be a very good book, worth many rereads, mainly because the author has written about many fascinating personalities who lived in the early 20th century India. However, one of the minus points of this book is that Paul Brunton takes himself too seriously. I think the pride and arrogance of being a "genuine" spiritual seeker comes out too strongly in his narrative.

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Summary: A western journalist's truth-seeking trip in India (1900s)
Review: The author has written many books in spirituality; This is one of earlier books. It records his experiences in India, when he met many kind of peoples of various spiritual inclinations. This India is in sense ' secret India' to a typical modern indian also. He is not a impartial traveller. He is also personally seeking, but skeptical and cautious. He discusses about Mehar Baba who claimed himself as Messiah (avatar). He gives details of their discussions. He introduces us to different yogis, their life styles and their world views. Sage-head of Kanchi mutt directs him to Ramana of the Hill of the Holy Beacon. In the conversions with Ramana, Burton is quite clear about skeptical views. He stays for some time with Ramana and later leaves for further travel. He meets magicians (siddhas) and astrologers. He decides to leave India, books for his ship in Bomabay. Suddenly, he evalutes his experiences and decide to return to Ramana for further guidance. He goes to Ramana, learns about " Who am I?" enquiry and practices it with his support. He leaves India with a positive outlook of spiritual nature of man. Later he continues his search; wirtes many books; guides people; (Recently critized in a book for his guru role). The book is highly readable. It is true is that his pride and judgements distort the true picture, but it is seeker's book.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating discription of India in 40s
Review: The Author's journey in India in 40s gives him new experiences.
He goes with an open mind and search of new things. Brunton has an eye of an journalist. He meets a lot of people - from street magacians to Shankaracharya. Some people impressed him and some just make him feel puzzled. This is a candid writing and one can see that some things in India are still the same after 60 years. Good for people interested in eastern Mysticism.
The last part with Maharshi and realization of truth is incredible!

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Summary: A CHALLENGE TO SCIENCE ?
Review: THE BOOK MAKES US THINK WHO ARE WE AND REALLY PRESENTS SOME UNBELIVABLE EXPERIENCE OF THE AUTHOER.

Rating:
Summary: A Genuine Classic
Review: This book describes oneof the most remarkable truelife spiritual adventuresever composed. Brunton'stravels in British India lead him to numerous remarkable gurus until, at last he experiences Enlightenment. Reminiscentof Hesse's Siddhartha insome respects, A Search InSecret India is on anotherlevel because it is fact, not fiction.

Rating:
Summary: A genuine seekers' true account of his spiritual journey
Review: When Paul Brunton decided to take up a long journey into mystical India in search of its secret spirituality he must have had a genuine urge to study Indian spirituality. The thirst to get a real `Darshan' of a true yogi. He had something more than a journalists' inquiring mind. During his days India was ruled by Gora (white) Sahibs and the Indian treasure in terms of its spirituality, herb medicines, yoga etc. lay hidden from the world. The world was just amazed by the new scientific inventions taking place in the west. Indians themselves had begun doubting their ancient systems and methods. To set his foot in India in those times to discover its hidden mysticism is quite commendable.
Paul Brunton lands in Bombay from where he begins his mystical experiences and travels south in search of a true yogi. His experiences which he jots down in very lucid English are a pleasure to read.