Book review of an upbeat introduction to India and its spirituality
I read the book in one go: couldn't put it down. It's interesting as a story of personal and spiritual growth and as a catalog of some of the spiritual teachings India has to offer.
India in pictures
Joyful Bliss
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The storyline
Going to India just married
The next scene, ten years later, is Sarah coming back to India because her new Husband, Jonathan, has a job here as a journalist. She has given up her own high profile job as a journalist to be able to follow him there.
We follow Sarah as she gets close to death, dives into the main religions India has to offer, tries to learn Hindi, makes friends, follows Indian fashion and watches Bollywood movies.
Sarah leaves India pregnant and sad to leave India for her native Australia. Even though she knows how much easier things will be there.
Who was your favorite person in the book?
India - a complicated country
My review: a balanced picture
India is the largest democracy in the world. It's also the home of yoga, Buddhism and Hinduism. These religious/spiritual traditions have moved west in the last century.
Some of the people who describe India just ignore one or another aspect of it. It's all divine yogi's, or all poverty, all technology or all Dalai Lama type Buddhists.
Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure actually gives a decently balanced picture, even though it can be seen as too superficial. Well - there isn't a book out there that can do India justice, there's just too much of it. But this book does do a good job of introducing India to Westerners in a way that does it justice enough, I feel.
What was your favorite spiritual teacher or tradition in this novel?
Sarah finds the most famous spiritual teachers and spiritual traditions in India and gives each a try. Which inspired you most?
Ganga - the sacred river
Sarah is both repulsed and fascinated by this sacr more...1 point
Astrologer Rakesh
Who prophesies the year Sarah and Jonathan have co more...1 point
Mata Amritanandamayi
The hugging Amma. Her unjudgmental love for everyb more...1 point
Sufi Love in Pakistan
The center of spirituality for Sarah is Love for a more...1 point
Satya Sai Baba
The guru who supports various charities, has great more...0 points
Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure
by Sarah Macdonald
Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/11/2009)
I loved this book and read it out in three nights of reading. I've studied India in college and went there myself some time ago - yet I could not find many mistakes. Given the size and variety of the country - that's quite an achievement.
This book really is great for those who are thinking of going to India to grow spiritually - it will get you out of your romantic haze. It's also great for those who've been there - a feast of recognition. And if you aren't spiritually inclined - this may just change your mind.
Zoroastrianism / Parsis
What was your favorite moment in the book?
Please add your own favorite scene/moment from the book.
When the Twin Towers get hit
Sarah and Jonathan face the horrors religion can b more...1 point
What did you think about this description of India?
Write a review, add a comment, or debate someone who disagrees with you.
Was this book good, or too superficial, or something else? Tell me.
Was this book good, or too superficial, or something else?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byInspiring read, good book, well written.
Mac33 says:
My wife loved it. A couple friends of ours who have visited India really enjoyed reading it also.
Posted April 25, 2008
spirituality says:
I loved it. Gave me some ideas of what to do and where to go when I go back to India in a few years.
Posted April 16, 2008
Too superficial, read something else to get to know India and its relgions.
Got inspired to got to India yourself?
Here's how.
If you read this book: what is your review?
KimGiancaterino wrote...
This lens is featured on A Day of 100 Squid Angel Blessings.
Posted June 18, 2009
Rasalila wrote...
Interesting... I've been to India twice, 3 months at a time. I love India. Haven't read the book yet. Thanks for the lens
Posted November 26, 2008
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