Seekers and the Sought

This memoir takes the reader through more than six decades of the writer's life during which her spiritual practice was inspired by many enlightened and spiritually evolved teachers. Born in a deeply spiritual family, the writer grew up in an environment that instilled in her a love of God and respect for sages who often visited her home. Initiated by the great sage Mohanananda Brahmachari when she was twelve years old, she followed in the footsteps of her mother and met saints and sages of all religions. Later in life, while living with her American husband in the United States, she developed an interest in Buddhism, which provided her with the opportunity to meet several renowned Buddhist monks. The book pays tribute to great teachers she met such as Anandamayi Ma, Sitaramdas Baba, Amma, Swami Purnatmananda, Ajahn Sumedho, and many others. She also acknowledges her gratitude to sages whose presence made a deep impact on her life even though she did not meet them in person, such as Swami Premananda and Paramhansa Yogananda. The writer focuses not only on the enlightened ones but also on their devotees. The age-old Indian tradition of spiritual teachers and their students unfolds in these chapters written by a humble and grateful spiritual aspirant.