The Initiation is a very enjoyable book to read for many reasons. While it is autobiographical -- the story of the author's initiation by his guru -- it is much more than that. It combines the story of a seeker's journey to find himself, and takes us along with him in his forays into the spiritual side of India. We meet the eternal Babaji, connect with Kali, the Divine Mother, we travel in India with the elusive Babu, and even more, we connect with our own spirituality as Babaji and his teachers answer the deep questions we may or may not have formulated ourselves at some point. Reading The Initiation is somewhat of an initiation for the reader also. As you read of Dr. Schnell's voyage into himself and into the center of love, you also voyage alongside. The book may read as easily as a novel, but is packed with spiritual insights and understanding like a hefty spiritual tome. While the book may be the story of Dr. Schnell's transformation into Prema Baba Swamiji, it is really about each one of us, and our transformation into the Divinity we truly are.
Whether you read this story as a "manual to enlightenment", or simply as an enjoyable travelogue, it does not matter, as you will come out of the reading a changed person. You will have discovered about the power of mantras, of Love, of breathing, of prayer and meditation, and the simplicity of God. You will learn that attaining peace and enlightenment is never far; you will realize that you too are experiencing this same journey to self, wherever you are; you will learn that bliss is only a no-thought away... and you will learn that laughter, song, dance, and play are essential to spiritual growth and happiness.
In response to someone who tells him "I've always made everything hard for myself," Swamiji shares what Babaji has taught him. "Life is leela -- a divine play. Let your prayers be poetic and from the heart. Learn to dance, and let your dancing be a prayer. Celebrate God with your love. Prayer is action. Meditation is silence. Use them both, and soar to the heavenly heights."
Thank You Swamiji for taking us along on your journey, and shedding light on ours.
