Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master - A Yogi's Autobiography

This was a good book. I had read "Autobiography of a Yogi" which style was very humble and forthright. I did not get the same from this book because I thought the author was just slightly arrogant about his knowledge and status. Left me wondering if he was "true". However, I am a little like "doubting Thomas".

Sri M spiritual journey is one of mystical encounters , revelations and inner awakening and a yearning of the soul to reach its highest intimate relationship with its source.
i found the book to be very interesting and inspiring.
It would be nice if Sr M would choose to share more practical aspects of his Kriya Yoga.
with love
Yagish

I find all books related to Kriya Yoga are magical. There are a lot of miracles mentioned and make for a good reading. The factual validity of these is another thing.
The first half of the book and until Sri M comes back home is really engrossing. I lived his life in the Himalayas vicariously through all those chapters. The latter one third of the book and the section on JK was boring to say the least.
I would have rated it at least a 4 but when I discussed the book with my wife she brought out so many aspects that I had overlooked.
1) The book is fantastic, but like Parmahamsa Yogananda's book, does it do anything for the seekers reading this book? It is certainly very depressing because it makes you think that one needs to be very special in order to find the ultimate Truth. We know, by many accounts, that that just isn't right. The 'Truth' is for all to take.
We all don't need to find a guru waiting in the magical slopes of the Himalayas for us. (If it were to happen that would be incredible)
for the 'average' seeker, it is very depressing and on understanding this aspect actually exposed and existential angst in me.
2. Sri M has said in many interviews, that he answers all emails sent to him. I have been waiting for over a 1 month now with no response. I know his following is increasing each day, but isn't having too many disciplines defeats the very purpose of the exercise of finding the Truth.
3. The last thing about book like this is that it is very hard to reconcile this with the non-dual teachings.
All the great gurus have said to ignore miracles since these may become a hindrance to seeking the Truth.

Sri Madhu's journey from Kerala to all over India and the world is a good read in the sense that it does prove that if one has faith in something and belief in one's self then anything is possible. Though, for non believers like me, many events are impossibly unbelievable. However I personally didn't take them negatively and could read further without any prejudice towards the book. One thing which could have been there at the end of the book was a message to everyone on how to achieve happiness in life, which is what all of us are after. Some words of wisdom on how to lead a fulfilling life would have added charm to this book.

The author has attempted to write about the mystical world of Himalayan masters. In my mind the books can be roughly divided into two portions. The first half (around 60%) of the book revolves around the young yogi looking for his master and his mystical 3.5 years with Babaji as he is known. This part of the book is fantastic and well written, it has a certain flow and authenticity to it. The rest 40% is poorly composed, it just speaks about different shrines of various monks Sri M visits, and none of it has any takeaways for the reader. There are also certain contradictions in the book, I will note a couple.

1)The aspect of Sri M's getting married. He claims that he was asked by his masters to get married because he needed to show his followers that married people can tread the path. Also he mentions to have other relationships before marriage. While marriage is a personal choice I would find it difficult to believe that someone who has experienced highest bliss wants to get bound in marriage and add new karmas to his life. At certain point he is said to have received all the powers of his master's Babaji, Babaji's miracles like walking through walls, teleportation etc. have been described in length. So why does he need to appease the external world through symbolism, his presence is enough.

2) It seems the author is keen on spreading the message of kriya yoga, so much so that he reduced the criteria from 21 to only 2. This again contradicts the entire book is based on the premise that for a sincere seeker the master will appear and somewhere in the book it is mentioned to focus on quality not quantity.

I feel the author having experienced the highest knowledge lost the thread somewhere, as it happens with many advanced spiritual teachers. This is true of the book as well. I give 5 stars for the first 60% of the book and zero stars for the rest 40%. Averages to 3 stars.

Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master.
It has been a long while since I read a spiritual autobiography as inspiring and engaging as this personal narrative by Sri M. "Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master" is a story of a Master- Disciple relationship narrated by a doting disciple in a simple, honest and straightforward manner. This is a true story of mystical places, mystics, saints and messiahs.

If you are experiencing one of those dry spells in your spiritual life, this book will inspire you again.

I am placing this book in the same league as "Autobiography of a Yogi" and "Living with the Himalayan Masters". "Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master" is a "must-own" book for every spiritual seeker and is sure to become a classic that will remain among the best sellers in its genre for a long time.

'Autobiography of a Yogi' is the only other book that I can think of as I talk of this honest recount by Shri M.

A spiritual metamorphosis occurs in front of our eyes as Mumtaz transmutes into 'M'.

For many people of 21st century, Yogananda's 'Thou's , Thy's and Intense english prose was too high a language barrier for commoners to get in. For the generation of SMS language adepts, Babaji knows too well the importance of Simple Language and Brevity in this age.

Just like Sant Jnaneshwar wrote the first Marathi Bhagwat Gita meant for the masses ,Shri M has written a simple and non-intimidating recount in this flavorful, consumable and an easily digestible book of timeless significance.

If 'AOAY' was a book primarily for Westeners, transforming people like Steve Jobs, Luther Burbank, The Beatles and a host of others. This book is primarily an Indian Book. Set in India. Enacted in places like the Mumbai Taj Hotel. This book will inspire many Indians and Westerners alike.

If you loved 'Autobiography of a Yogi', you will always keep this book very prominently in your bookshelf. The characters in both these books are almost same. Only the date and and setting has changed.

And M, thanks for not ignoring the majority of us.

My passion being reading autobiographies of renunciates, yogis and sages, this book gives reader the experience of a journey well taken. Right from starting of the book, Sri M speaks like he is a traveler rather someone leading a life. The ease with which he speaks of his past life and its continuation in the present one is incredible and only an adept can reach that comfort. One thing I'm very impressed as a reader is that his book does not attempt to convince at any point however incredible the experience. He has written in a matter of fact way and so he has left the choice to us, take it or leave it. His experiences are out of ordinary, but the starkness and simplicity of his language make them very approachable. His frankly simple and simply frank attitude seeps into his writing skills and so as an autobiography it very easily inspires the reader. At the end of the book, one is left with a feeling of awe and and just a tingle of regret. Very few books achieve that feeling where the reader wishes it should never end, this book reaches that harbor.

It is without exaggeration that I write that this book changed my life forever. There is no turning back. I read this book to my ailing mother way back in 2011 when it first came out. My mother would not let me stop reading. She was just as mesmerized by this book as I was. Every chapter in this book is beyond interesting. I strongly recommend the new readers to read the book cover to cover and not miss the prologue or the introduction. Every word has wisdom embedded in it. I don't know about others, but this book came to me as God sent, as it not only gave me peace but gave my ailing parents immense peace and direction.
I recommend this book for not only the spiritual seekers but for everyone irrespective of their view on spirituality. It can be looked at as a travelogue too if they want to. For me personally, it was a book that I couldn't put down and each time I read it, I have come away with something new. It never grows old. I read the Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda much after I read this book, and personally for me, this book was far more moving and inspiring than Yogananda's book. Infact I have not yet finished that book .
I highly recommend people to read this book with an open mind. It has a lot of incredulous events in there, but beyond that, the spiritual message that is weaved in this entire book is encouraging and magnificent. For me this was a spiritual book that I will carry with me where ever I go. It is that brilliant and comprehensible with simple use of the language. You can almost hear the author narrating the story to you. Very well written.

Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master.
It has been a long while since I read a spiritual autobiography as inspiring and engaging as this personal narrative by Sri M. "Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master" is a story of a Master- Disciple relationship narrated by a doting disciple in a simple, honest and straightforward manner. This is a true story of mystical places, mystics, saints and messiahs.

If you are experiencing one of those dry spells in your spiritual life, this book will inspire you again.

I am placing this book in the same league as "Autobiography of a Yogi" and "Living with the Himalayan Masters". "Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master" is a "must-own" book for every spiritual seeker and is sure to become a classic that will remain among the best sellers in its genre for a long time.

At first it seems superficial but the stories of the places ring true and the yogis are depicted in a true way. It’s a long story but it finds a place in the reader as you go on through the many venues.

This book is currently unavailable in print. I don't like looking at electronic devices any more than I need to even if Kindle is cheap. I hope there is more printed stock soon. From other reviews, I think it's an interesting read. Not necessary to agree in every point and how else do you expand your mind except by considering things you may not have considered before? I'm "pre-rating" because I expect to like it!

Anyone want to sell their print copy?

What an amazing journey?!!! I had the opportunity to meet him. So down to earth and approachable. I can sense/see the love he has for his Guru in his eyes. There is so much that cannot be described in words, just an open mind is what is needed.

Not at all a compelling read. Bordering on boring. For anyone who has spent time in India experiences described seem quite mundane. He takes subtle swipes at gurus outside his immediate experience and is quite superior. Perhaps it is just the writing but seems Inauthentic even though he says all the ‘right’ things.

This is an amazing book which gives a thought provoking insight about the spiritual guidance you receive when you are ready, with such care and love by great masters for one's own evolution spiritually as well to share and spread the same to the society.Excellent book ...same as Autobiography of yogi by yogananda.sri M takes us all with him in this Himalayan journey and the life experiences of his journey in the planes very truthfully so that you feel you are blessed by the great masters like him.

Enjoyed reading the book from start to finish. A must read for all spiritual seekers. Sri M has written the entire book in such an easy to read and engaging way that the readers would not be able to put the book down.