My Guru and His Disciple

by Christopher Isherwood

Book Overview

"My Guru and His Disciple is a sweetly modest and honest portrait of Isherwood's spiritual instructor, Swami Prabhavananda, the Hindu priest who guided Isherwood for some thirty years. It is also a book about the often amusing and sometimes painful counterpoint between worldliness and holiness in Isherwood's own life. Sexual sprees, all-night drinking bouts, a fast car ride with Greta Garbo, script-writing conferences at M-G-M, and intellectual sparring...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816638640
• ISBN13: 9780816638642
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Highly Recommended

This book is a superb honest portrait of Isherwood's Guru, Swami Prabhavananda and the former's major character flaws. Basically, the author admits to his Guru that he is a homosexual and therefore not fit to be in the spiritual path. However, the Swami beautifully reassures Isherwood that this is NOT a flaw as Christopher is very sincere about his spiritual practices and his relationship with God is deep. This has profound implications. The main reason why I love this book is that Isherwood gives the reader a very candid account of his relationship with the Swami. It does not avoid controversial and sensitive issues such as homosexuality and the idea of being a pacifist, especially during World War 2. It does not show any pretense in the manner in which Isherwood views his Guru with brutal honesty. A must read for all the homosexuals in the world traveling on the spiritual path. It basically states that one does not have to feel guilty about his/her sexual preferences when approaching God.

Swami, How I Love Ya, How I Love Ya.....

Indulging in a third Christopher Isherwood 'novel', after being left flat by 'The Memorial' was a truly enlightening experience. Much like the 'Boy's Own Story' trilogy of Edmund White, though supposedly not an amalgamation of characters (like White's novels) the story outlines 30 years of tutelege under Swami Prabhavananda, and how the influence of this holy man helped shape Isherwood's life. Beginning in the first half of the 20th century, Isherwood spent many years in and out of the Hindu Vedanta Center run by the Swami. As he struggled with his faith in juxtaposition with his homosexuality, the author found great comfort in the love of the Swami, which was unwavering, despite his knowledge of Isherwood's lifestyle. Along for the ride are many of Isherwood's contemporaries, including author Aldous Huxley, and an occasional weaving in of other celebrities of the time, such as Greta Garbo, and his lover of many years, Don Bachardy. Isherwood, amongst publication of his own novels, aids in translating the Baghad-Vita with the Swami, and publishes Ramakrishna and His Disciples, a study of a 19th century holy man who embraced all religions as worthy of learning, to appreciate the unity of all. An interesting portrait of Isherwood himself, this book also delves into the day-to-day workings of the Hindu faith, a Vedanta center, and the life of a Swami, albeit in a Western Cultural setting. A good read, and as much a peaceful pursuit to read as the pursuit of Isherwood's own inner peace.

account of a heart relationship between student and teacher

One of the most intelligently written books on the subject. Here, Isherwood recounts the events that lead him to meet a man who was to seriously effect the way christopher approached life as a pacifistin a war torn world. A remarkable relationship between a very modern man and a direct desciple from the lineage of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. I think that this is one of the best books I have ever read. Christerpher Isherwood is economical with words and yet is evocative,candid and funny. Auden, Huxley and meany more characters of the time walk through this memoir. I cried at the end. Written by a master. If you are a cynic on the subject of swamis read this... it was written by one..

An English writer in America meets an Indian swami

Surely one of Isherwoods finest works. This memoir tells of his time in Hollywood during World War II and of his meeting and subsiquent association with Swami Prabhavananada. Isherwood approaches the subject with candid reflection and in his usual minimal style takes the reader on a a spiritual quest for the truth behind god and the trail of the pacifists dilemma during a crippling war. Auden, Huxley and a host of others walk through the work. An absolute must for Isherwood fans. I cried at the end...one of the best books I've ever read.