Baba: Autobiography of a Blue-eyed YogiAlthough this book often reads like a fast-paced adventure story, it is the true account of a nineteen-year-old American (the son of a Beverly Hills pediatric surgeon) who in the late 1960s, after experimenting with drugs, sex, and political activism, set off for India in search of the truth. He arrived with twenty dollars in his pocket and, enchanted by the extraordinary world he found there, explored the country until he stumbled into the presence of Hari Puri Baba, a yogi in the ancient tradition of the Renunciates of the Ten Names. Hari Puri proceeded to shave the young stranger's head and initiate him into his order. Now called Rampuri, the young man embarked on a discipleship unlike anything he had ever imagined. He had to learn Hindi and Sanskrit, overcome opposition as an outsider, and deal with the battle that raged within him as he attempted to reconcile the Western view of India with the reality of its culture and beliefs. Despite overwhelming odds and the mysterious death of his guru, he stayed the course and has remained in India to this day. As Rampuri reveals the teachings he received and describes the rituals and pilgrimages in which he participated, it becomes clear that this is an unprecedented telling of one man's sacred initiation and training and a must-read for any serious seeker. |
Common terms and phrases
Adi Shankara Amar Puri Baba Amloda Kund amrit arrived asanas ashram asked Baba Ji Baba's Bam Baba became Bhairon Puri body Brahmin called Cartouche chillam darshan Datt Akhara Dattatreya devotees dhoti dhuni disciple earth everything eyes face feet felt fire five gurus Ganga Gangotri Gangotri Baba goddess gods Gokarn Gokarn Puri Guru Ji guru mantra guru-bhai hand Hanuman hara hara mahadev Hari Puri Baba head Hindi Hira Lal India initiation Jai Ram Puri Jaipur Juna Akhara kamandal Kapil Puri Baba Kashi Kedar Puri Baba knew knowledge Kumbh Mela language laughed learned looked mantra Naga namo narayan never omkars padukas path pulled Puri Ji Puri's Raghunath Puri Rajasthan rudraksha rupees sacred sadhus Sandhya Puri Baba sannyasi Shiva sitting smile smoke sound spirit story syllables tantric temple things thought told touched tradition Ujjain vibhuti Vishnu walked wanted Yoga yogis