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In 1996 meditation teacher Ajayan Borys journeyed to the source of the Ganges River high in India’s Himalayas. Intent on Self-realization, he discovered a deserted cave in a Himalayan forest and for two months lived there alone, meditating in silence, surviving on one sparse meal a day. Through unexpected friendships with holy men, encounters with madmen and the Indian army, surviving harsh mountain conditions (including scorpions and mind-numbing cold), he was opened to the depths of the human Spirit—and to universal insights, the “whispers” of the Himalayas.
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 9.00 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: The story here is well structured, moves along at a good pace, and is full of suspense.
Prose: The writing is very clear: scholarly, yet not pompously so. The author provides vivid descriptions of the physical challenges he faced on his quest.
Originality: While the market for memoir is a crowded one—particularly the market for spiritual memoir—it's hard to imaging this book not standing out. There aren't many books out there like this one.
Character Development: The author is hard on himself, but manages to derive worthwhile insights from the challenges he tries to overcome. Readers will also appreciate the lively portraits of the author's fellow seekers.
Date Submitted: August 22, 2017
