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Mystic By Default
A globe-spanning true story about one man’s quest to discover the truth about who he is. Full of spiritual wisdom, colorful characters and off-color situations, Mystic By Default is as insightful and uplifting as it is entertaining, a rare quality in a spiritual autobiography. In it you will follow James Swartz—now a world renowned Vedanta teacher—as he grows up in rural Montana, becomes a debaucherous businessman in Hawaii, has a major epiphany, turns into a psychedelic hippie, and sets out on a spiritual quest to India. After many amazing and miraculous experiences, he returns to the US without finding what he was looking for. Ironically, after finding no answers in the East, he meets his guru, Swami Chinmayananda—the man who finally imparts the truth that James is so desperately seeking—by chance in San Francisco. With humor and outrageous situations intertwined with the wisdom of the ages, Mystic By Default is a great read for anyone, spiritual or otherwise.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 12, 2020
Beautifully written first hand experience in consciousness play and hell or a read as well. Psychedelic sixties plus Neo Advaita sober teachings. Powerful cocktail
August 24, 2013
I was fortunate to have Ramji's other book, How to Attain Enlightenment show up on a shelf outside my office one day, and took it home to read it as a lark. I even joked to a coworker that I would have a halo when I came back from the weekend. The halo has yet to appear, but that book and the teachings it contains have had a profound influence in my life.
The book introduced me to Vedanta, which somehow I had managed to never encounter during 47 years as a spiritual seeker. When the student is ready, as they say... Since then, I've had the benefit of meeting Ram and hearing him elucidate the teachings of Vedanta, which has been an incredible blessing. Being naturally a bit cynical and suspicious of "gurus", I approached him with a critical eye and found him to want nothing at all from me other than to teach me Vedanta. No outrageous fees to be at his classes (in fact, none whatsoever), no demand for worship or free labor, nothing. I found just a very human human being with a love for passing on the ancient teachings of Vedanta.
Mystic by Default clearly illustrates his humanity and his spiritual quest. He obviously doesn't care what people think about him and I love that about him! This book was an adventure and I enjoyed every page.
The book introduced me to Vedanta, which somehow I had managed to never encounter during 47 years as a spiritual seeker. When the student is ready, as they say... Since then, I've had the benefit of meeting Ram and hearing him elucidate the teachings of Vedanta, which has been an incredible blessing. Being naturally a bit cynical and suspicious of "gurus", I approached him with a critical eye and found him to want nothing at all from me other than to teach me Vedanta. No outrageous fees to be at his classes (in fact, none whatsoever), no demand for worship or free labor, nothing. I found just a very human human being with a love for passing on the ancient teachings of Vedanta.
Mystic by Default clearly illustrates his humanity and his spiritual quest. He obviously doesn't care what people think about him and I love that about him! This book was an adventure and I enjoyed every page.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews