Sadhus: Going Beyond the Dreadlocks

I loved this book, as I too hung out with many sadhus in India during 1994-95. I can relate to everything the author describes in such perfect expressions of what India is really like- especially with the sadhus. I was delighted to see that Mahavatar Babaji was included, but blown away by how He was described- with dreadlocks and a light beard. Most accounts of Balak Baba, whom many thought was another form of Him since His passing in 1984, fit this description. But of course, Babaji can appear in any disguise. However, I too felt I had Babaji's darshan at Christmas 1994, in a cave in Haidakhan, and He too appeared to me the same way! I wrote all about this, and much more, in my inspirational memoir, Still Singing, Somehow. Patrick Levy's descriptions of the daily scenes in India are some of the best I've ever read. He knows India very well, and has laced his dialogue between characters with much esoteric and metaphysical knowledge. This book can boggle the mind about what is real and what is not. I see too that the character of the French writer is the author's alter ego, before his semi transformation into a western sadhu, as the one telling the story. Having written a book myself, I really respect the way Patrick Levy put together his fascinating jig saw puzzle of sadhus conversations and dialogue, India's complexity, the physical and mental challenges of renunciation, and the real feeling of what it's like to be there. The greatest truth I gleaned from his experience, is "There is nothing to do". "A Course In Miracles" states the same truth as, "You don't have to do anything. You are already there". Why the sadhus do what they do, and choose their distinct lifestyle is the big question, and well worth reading about in this one of a kind book. I plan to re-read it again, for the inspiration that it gives me to meditate! Thank you Patrick Levy for such a truthful look into the world of sadhu spirituality, described so beautifully. You're a great writer!

Thoughtful and solid. Essentialy a good understanding of the sadhus although a little disappointing in its insights as to practice (in fairness however this was not in the scope of the aurthor's intent).

Not an easy read, but a good book. As they in India, a saint's past should not be probed. But laymen like us do have a curiosity of the daily lives of saints and sadhus. The author, a Frenchman, travels with his Guru and experiences the life of the wandering sadhus. His master comes across as an easy-going, practical, jovial, yet a very kind and realized soul, who is always in a cheerful mood no matter what. The author is fortunate. I loved the way the Guru advised a villager who was ill-treating his daughter after the death of his wife.While there is always a variation in a human nature, and the Sadhus are no exception, the author's portrayal of them made me respect them for the choices they had made in life, and their carefree life with very few possessions and a life of wandering is so different from our lives. The devotion of the ordinary Indians to them is also very moving, and this wonderful relation of house-holders supporting sadhus, and they in turn blessing the house-holders and not exploiting their hospitality is so Indian. Such sympathetic accounts of this vanishing culture makes me admire the ancient culture of India even more.

I don't write very many reviews,but this very excellent book deserves as positive a review as possible. I would give this book 10 stars if I could. Patrick Levy has done for those of us who are unable to travel to Varanasi in the flesh the great service of taking us there through his very lucid discussions with the various sadhus he encountered on his long journeys throughout India. This book should be read by far more people than it has. It is essential reading. I can't praise it enough!Thank you very much,Patrick Levy!!!

Interesting. I felt i needed more of a glossary as the author assumed a measure of Hindu and Urdu terms that I did not have. This was a book to chew on because the observations required separating out what was objective from the author's opinions. Still a good read

A friend loaned this book to me as I was traveling in India. I was fascinated, but only really saw it's power and beauty after returning home and reading the whole book through again. Now I'm reading parts again, for pure enjoyment. The gritty detailed and loving descriptions of India, coupled with flights of philosophical inquiry make it a continuous delight to read.

Fascinating book...

An interesting read. A fun story with gems of truth. If nothing else, get it for the tidbits of sublime freedom that are scattered throughout the book.I personally looked up and bought the scriptures that he was quoting. A mind blowing world opened up for me.

Cuenta una historia curiosa y sorprendente. Los sadhus explican diferentes puntos de vista, de actuar... El protagonista relata si experiencia entre los sadhus y el cambio de forma de vida.

Then they sit here, have a chillum, then they walk a bit, sit down for a tea, have a chillum, and inbetween the chillums there's cringy dialogs. Author takes himself very serious.Uneasy typesetting; every foreign (=indian) word is set bold and in italics plus it has a hint to the index of foreign words... annoying.

Seems like such a nice read up to now. Not that far through tbh but I'm sure you'll find it a comforting read.

Though this book is a slow starter, after initial couple of pages it literally throws you off guard with its out of the box (dare I say out of the world) philosophies. It forces you to introspect your own thoughts, preferences in life and about your own life style and thoughts.I salute Mr Levy's braveness. I can't imagine how much guts it takes to come to a foreign land and completely surrender yourself to a stranger. He has tried his best to explain the life cycle of a Sadhu and reason out what the behavior of these sadhus which is almost incomprehensible to the society with its narrow perspective of things and judgmental mind. I appreciated the authors unbiased writing, describing how easy it is for a sadhu to loose his track and jump right back into society and possession.This book is enticing and informative at the same time and I've more respect for these brave sadhus than ever before.Amazon.in has finally arrived. I had ordered couple of stuffs from Amazon.com and liked it instantly. So I was eager to try out Amazon.in and it was not disappointing. Delivery was on time and the item was well wrapped and was intact. Thank you Amazon.

Great experience very candidly and lucidly told. Some chapters were a little abrupt or disjointed but eminently readable.