Aghora: At the Left Hand of God

Of Svoboda's Aghora trilogy, the reviews accurately reflect that this is by far the one most worth reading, and the only place to start. The Vimalanda personage (person? character? it matters not) is a wonderful, brilliant, iconoclastic and amusing teacher.The books are filled with anecdotes, sometimes stories from ancient literature, sometimes his own experience, sometimes the experiences of others. To summarize it, this is the path of the vira (hero, warrior), not the pashu (see Julius Evola's Yoga of Power for some background on these terms). And that path is so easily misunderstood, appealing, naturally, to ambitious male practitioners who want to prove their fearlessness and (for example) spend the night in a burial ground (if you think that sounds easy, read the book), a kind of vision quest (to borrow from another tradition), with the pitfalls always the same -- an inflated ego which is the opposite of what should have been the intended result, and a kind of all-male yangness that, as we learn right from the the first parts of this book, is all wrong. This is a path of Goddess worship. The Goddess has many guises. If we're lucky we can choose which one(s) to follow. This goes back to the beginnings of history and far beyond. The Goddess is lover, mother or terrifying one, the Celtic triple Goddess, the thrice three muses that have inspired (mostly) male devotees for all time, and every Goddess from every tradition from all over the world. If it all sounds sexist, it is. I'm not making it up. It is the nature of the spiritual world for those who have somehow escaped the life-stifling patriarchal ideas of male god and bloated rationality. At any rate, of the three books, this is the only one that I come back to. If I wasn't being lazy, I'd give (only) four stars to the second book and three for the third. The second book is about Kundalini, which, when you look for it, seems to be everywhere (for example, the stories of Ovid are full of it), so we don't need to go to India to find it and it certainly doesn't have to be thought of as exotic -- if I can digress for a moment (I don't think Vimalandna would mind), our most famous guide to "Kundalini syndrome" is Gopi Krishna, who had all those terrible symptoms not because Kundalini is so harsh but because Kundalini is feminine, and, being a product of one of our male-dominant societies, used the excuse of his debility to treat his wife like a slave for many years. It's (obviously) a huge mistake to try to use the power of the Goddess to subjugate women. The third book, about karma, a very literal, pedestrian kind of karma, was of little interest to me if not for V's gift for telling a story. Maybe I just don't want to take too seriously the claims about the karmic effects of gambling, having done plenty of that in the past. Basically, according to him, I'm screwed. Any book that teaches us so much about the Goddess is well worth reading. She is certainly not the passive or any other stereotype we may associate with being female. It has all gotten so perverted in our male-dominated world that even our best scholars on the thought of the east associate "yin" with "female" and "passive." It's just sexist stereotyping and subjugation. The female is dynamic, changing, active, she is the earth and the physical world around us. All the male can do is surrender to her or, if he is master enough, to control her and guide her dynamism in such a way the he recognizes that the power itself comes from Her, not from him. Just my opinion.

Written by one of today's Western experts in all things Vedic, Dr. Svoboda is highly respected. He spent eight years with an Aghora yogi and writes about the man's life experiences and thoughts on the Aghora's tantric practices. The Preface and Introduction gives a lot of crucial information about Vedic thought and Dr. Svoboda's reasoning and approach to writing this book, as well as the nature of his relationship with the aghori, Vimalananda. People who are a little familiar with Vedic philosophy, either Ayurveda, Joyotish or Yoga, will get the most out of this book as familiar terms will be expanded upon in a different light. Dr. Svoboda writes about Vimalanda's experiences as if the reader was experiencing Vimalanda as he did, a student and friend so you get this kind of personal storytelling experience where you have to decide how much to "believe" or not in terms of bending reality. I mean some of the ways Vimalananda lived his life are what I imagine a schizophrenic experiences and yet the man had a firm grip on reality as well. The book gives tremendous insight into a practice Westerners can't really imagine or at least for me (a middle-aged Midwestern woman). The thrust with Tantra is embracing and working with all the ideas and practices most people shun on their journey to enlightenment; the Aghori almost exploits them to reach the same outcome. I've been learning about Buddhism (which has roots in Tantra) and Ayurveda as well as Yoga and Joyotish. I found this book fascinating and very thought-provoking. On a superficial level, it was entertaining. Vimalananda is at the least, an extraordinary character, colorful and enjoyable but also challenging to his students and mystifying. I'm sure this could be a most encouraging book for many people who are sensitive, who have insights into the spirit world, who may have some psychosis or schizophrenic themselves or someone they know as this book dispels the fear and terror that many Westerners reserve for the supernatural or unexplained, unacceptable tendencies we all have or experience to some degree. I plan on re-reading this book for its depth of wisdom and to grasp more of what Vimalananda is trying to teach. I hope this was a helpful review.

For those of us who grew up in India during the days prior to influence of western pop culture (60's and 70's), "Aghora" may sound familiar, even plausible! AGHORA, At the Left Hand of God is a book for those who are ready for this kind of spirituality. It can shock and repulse a reader who is unaware. I was disturbed by some of the contents of this book and suspected exaggeration - mainly because I too had put the ideas down to ancient Indian folklore and stuff for movies of the black and white era; but a lot of it finally makes sense if one reads other books on the subject (I admit that I still have many nagging questions). This book explores several aspects of Trantric Hinduism and explodes popular myths. It makes good reading while providing in-depth views of concepts like Rnanubandhana , time etc. Robert E Svoboda has done a great service in narrating this story of his Master.

Get closer to God/dess

I love Dr. Svoboda's Ayurvedic work and am very interested in the Aghori sadhus and anything to do with Kali and Shiva, so when a friend recommended this book to me, it seemed like a must read. Intense! I'm part way through, and I find the stories that Vimalananda tells wild and thought provoking. It really gives credence to the idea that there are many paths to Truth. I'm looking forward to the rest of the trilogy!

The author is knowledgeable I still didn't get the book

This book was my first introduction to tantra and it absolutely, positively changed my perspective of tantra. The concept of devotion is so very intriguing and real. I am really happy that I decided to buy this book. As soon as I started reading there was just no stopping, not to mention the language and flow of the way its written is really very apt. Almost knows what will be the next question arising in your mind and goes on to answer that in the following pages or chapters. A highly recommended must read, especially for spiritual aspirants.

The first of a series about books about Vimalananda, Robert Svoboda's spiritual teacher and Dr. Vasant Lad's Ayurvedic guru. Great tales and clear understanding of Aghora and the tantric tradition in India. Gorgeous image on the cover! So many great instructive tales.

Ce livre est écrit comme si Vimalananda, le Guru de l'auteur, écrivait. Cela donne un côté intéressant, ou on se sent ainsi plus proche du personnage, l'auteur se faisant alors la personne qui nous introduit à son Guru. Dans cet ouvrage, est traité beaucoup de sujet de l'Aghora, qui implique l'emploi d'éléments interdits dans les pratiques orthodoxes, dangereuses, et qui, grâce à une intense détermination, union à la divinité, font agir d'une façon lumineuse ces choses dangereuses. Au final, l'Aghori cherche à passer des ténèbres à la lumière, dans une non-dualité ou ils savent faire jaillir le nectar d'éléments considérés comme "poison". Certains aspects de l'histoire semblent à mon sens romancé (voir très romancé), mais cela n'enlève rien au fait que bien des clés et des choses très intéressantes et pertinentes sont données sur la voie tantrique dite "de la main gauche". Une chose que j'ai particulièrement apprécié, c'est que sont présenté tout ce qui fait l'aspect "terrible" de la voie de la main gauche (usage de psychotropes, sexualité, méditer sur les lieux de crémation...), d'abord tel que cela a été pratiqué, les dangers, comment c'est approché, appréhendé par les tantrikas authentiques, et enfin, comment en partant de là on aboutit à un élément spirituel qui peut être appréhendé par le lecteur sans passer par certaines pratiques dangereuses, tel qu'exposé dans la voie de la main droite (orthodoxe avec orientation sur l'idée de pureté). Ainsi, si l'auteur parle des substances psychotropes, de la façon de les appréhender, il indique finalement que la substance la meilleure est la récitation dévotionelle, dans une attitude d'offrande, des noms Divins. Que si le lieu de crémation est le temple de l'Aghori installant en lui une attitude particulière, une vision du monde et le lieu de la dissolution/transformation, le véritable Aghori porte en lui le lieu de crémation ou il consume toutes les limites mentales et faussetés qui l'anime dans le feu de la conscience (par la méditation par exemple), d'où jaillit alors la lumière qu'il partage. Encore un exemple : il parle de la sexualité, du karma associé, des techniques propres à ce vécu, pour aboutir au final à l'importance de se relier au divin à travers son/sa partenaire et élever l'acte dans une dimension très lumineuse. Idem pour les esprits des lieux de crémation : il parle de la responsabilité du tantrika pour les aider, décrivant les graves dangers qui guettent les amateurs et intentions impures sur ce sujet etc... Ainsi, on sent que ce Guru cherche à montrer ce qu'est le tantra, et notamment ici la quête de la Lumière, non dans une pureté sélective, mais dans un feu d'amour, de force et de lumière qui rend la matière divine, nous fait traverser notre part d'ombre, et change les ténèbres en lumière. Et même si l'histoire porte un côté "terrible", on sent derrière une intention de transmettre des trésors découverts en soit par une pratique réelle et authentique. Ce qui me touche le plus, c'est de voir comment la voie de la main gauche rejoint finalement la voie de la main droite. Elles ne sont pas opposées, et derrière les techniques de la main gauche se cachent une clé, une attitude, une idée qui si elle est comprise et intégrée vaut même plus que la technique associée. Les histoires montrent aussi une vision de l'Inde spirituelle assez éloignée de ce qu'on peut avoir l'habitude d'entendre. J'aimerai quand même indiquer que pour une première approche, je recommande des lives plus pédagogiques, avec des auteurs qui ont à cœur de bien mesurer leurs mots et d'être clair. Car ici, le côté "aghora" et les paroles rapides et parfois ne faisant pas trop dans la détail, peuvent autant éclairer qu'égarer par manque de clarté sur des sujet subtils. De plus, je trouve que le côté un peu "terrible", avec les luttes, certaines descriptions n'apportent pas grand chose au lecteur. Néanmoins, un livre lumineux si on regarde l'essence plutôt que de se perdre dans des détails par ci, par la.

5 Star It’s his grace that we got such a wonderful learning, true aghori Really a adventures journey by Vimala ananda, Son of vimala

If you already have some knowledge of Indian vedic philosophy and spirituality and would like to delve further into it this book is highly recommended. If you are new to the spiritual wisdom of India, do start elsewhere as it may be overwhelming and give the wrong impression. Important aspects of Indian spiritual knowledge are explained in this book, including major dieties, karma and fate, maya, shakti, shiva, gurus, spirits, sex, health and procreation, and of course the main subject which is Aghora, a particular form of tantra. For those looking for sexual tantric knowledge look elsewhere, since - as Robert Svoboda makes it clear from the outset - tantra has been polluted by western thought and incorrectly diverted to only referring to sexual practices, which is just one of the many aspects of real tantric knowledge. This book will disturb your senses and mind. It is meant to - to give you a flavour of what an Aghori experiences and overcomes. It will also educate, elucidate certain aspects of Indian spirituality and religion, and also give hope and direction if you are ready for it. It will also probably leave you searching for more spiritual knowledge, which can only be a good thing in this day and age.

..That Book is outstanding. The three Books of Aghora are the only source to Aghora to foreigners. There is no other books about this topic. I just read the first book, so i will tell a bit of my impressions here. I'am for myself in the left hand path, and i was focused on chaos-gnosticism. I had a dualistic view without knowing it. After reading this book, my view changed complete, from duality to absolute. I always though you need ritual utensils like a dagger and all that shit. After reading this book, i know, that the concepts about utensils is just a waste - the book teached me, if you want to suceed in spirituality, you have to be naked, and all you need is love for your Ma. In fact this book cannot teach you anything. There are no practical stuff in it. The Aghori keep the knowlege for themself, and if you want to experience it, you have to go to india and find a guru who teaches you. This book teach you, that there is no way to learn aghora for a western human. In fact i guess, the book teaches you all you have to know. In that way, it teaches you all and nothing. Vimalananda talks about happenings that simply canno't be true. Like as a Fakir awakens a statue to life in front of several people. Or a Sadhu who can grow his penis 15 feet long. i mean c'mon... You can't believe that. If this would exist, you would find videos on youtube to that..lol. If you want believe that, you have to see it. And thats the storys Vimalananda talks about. But between the storys you have to find the true core of all. And Vimalananda does definitly know what he talks about. I do not share the View of Aghora or especial Vimalananda in the last 2 Chapters of this book.. They are simply too abstract...This stuff about sex.. Often i feel vimalananda has much prejudices about western people, and i think he often make generalisations. Its understandable because of the british... Anyway, if you can look over this, you will have fun in reading this book. It can change your spirituality, your view, but in fact it can you teach nothing, because for Aghora you need a Guru and Smashan. Sorry my bad english.

Their are always different doors to the goal and this very sacred path Aghora is definitely one of them. A very inspiring, disciplined and direct way to Mata Kali. Very well written and at the request of his teacher which makes this book the more rich in actual experience in every day life. How does one catch the wind, this is what R. E. Svoboda tries to convey to the reader. To me it was a very moving book, especially the constant dedication of his teacher to Mata Kali. To the westerner these practices are quite diffirent from the traditional paths of Yoga. With an open heart and mind I believe one finds much to learn from this very honest and straightforward book. Although it is not everybody's taste, I enjoyed this book immensely.