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Thank you India
Maria’s Wirth book is an ode to India and its wisdom. Stumbling into India on an accidental layover 1980, she gets drawn into a seeker’s journey, searching for truth and encountering the many remarkable men and women, gurus and teachers, who would act as guides for her decades in India. From Sai Baba to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, from Anandamayi Ma to Amma, she records her close personal encounters and experiences.
The journey will take us to secluded and unknown yogis in the Himalayas to the famous celebrity gurus, to colourful festivals and ascetic caves. But her real journey is the inner voyage to Yoga or union, a union with the Self. As we travel with and through her we get to reflect on love and death, rebirth and liberation and the necessity and the limitations of the guru. Finding both inspiration and disillusionment, she returns again to her own Self and to the wisdom of India, a treasure for all of humanity in its journey.
The journey will take us to secluded and unknown yogis in the Himalayas to the famous celebrity gurus, to colourful festivals and ascetic caves. But her real journey is the inner voyage to Yoga or union, a union with the Self. As we travel with and through her we get to reflect on love and death, rebirth and liberation and the necessity and the limitations of the guru. Finding both inspiration and disillusionment, she returns again to her own Self and to the wisdom of India, a treasure for all of humanity in its journey.
- GenresIndiaNonfictionHinduism
Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
15 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Maria Wirth
29 books9 followersMaria Wirth is a German and came to India on a stop over (that’s at least what she thought) on her way to Australia after finishing her psychology studies at Hamburg University. She visited the Ardha Kumbha Mela in Haridwar in April 1980 where she met Sri Anandamayi Ma and Devaraha Baba, two renowned saints. With their blessing she continued to live in India and never went to Australia…
She dived into India’s spiritual tradition, sharing her insights with German readers through articles and books.
She dived into India’s spiritual tradition, sharing her insights with German readers through articles and books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 31, 2022
Read this captivating journey of her experiences with spiritual gurus and sacred spaces in India. Such tenderness, so many insights, so much information about our country. Her experiences over 38 years wandering over India make for a wonderful read. How the life moves and how we lean things in life are perfectly reflected in this book. I like that the author isn’t trying to preach us or convince us of some experiences in her life. Rather she implicitly suggests some books and her experiences and come to your own conclusion!
I have been ardent follower of Maria Wirth's blog and Quora. Do check out.
Blog:
https://mariawirthblog.wordpress.com/
Quora account:
https://www.quora.com/profile/Maria-W...
I have been ardent follower of Maria Wirth's blog and Quora. Do check out.
Blog:
https://mariawirthblog.wordpress.com/
Quora account:
https://www.quora.com/profile/Maria-W...
August 29, 2019
Maria Wirth is someone i really enjoy reading about her views or thoughts. Been following her blog and quora for a long time. This book was good.
June 5, 2019
One line review:
The author of ‘Thank You India' has shared her journey in search of ‘truth' that ends in India. Depiction of her journey is free from all prejudices and favoritism. Author opines about various luminary, consigning readers to postulate that. How India misled away from its ancient wisdom on account of conspiracy of foreign powers, who tyrannized it, was also put down disarmingly in black and white by author.
Maria Wirth also shows great concern toward deceptive attacks on India and India based ancient religion.
Detailed review:
"Never again India!" Was author's remark during first visit to India. But later in the book, she gives details on undeniable majestic side of India and "Indian wisdom is the beneficial guiding light for all humanity" is her final remark.
In the book, Author talks about her journey to many famed gurus as well as unsung but genuine gurus of India. She captivatingly paint a word picture of her inner thoughts and experiences, which helps to make an unmediated link with reader's soul. During her journey she fell in love with true India that is 'bharnat mata', and learnt the true meaning of dharma that is 'right way of living.'
Touching upon Swami Vivekananda she writes,
“Vivekananda told his American audience frankly, what he thought about their society. He considered it hypocritical. ‘What is the use of your proud talk about your society, if truth has no place in it? he asked. ‘What you call progress is according to me nothing more than the multiplication of desires. And if one thing is clear to me, it is this: desires bring misery.’ was his analysis.”
"He considered religion as kinder garden. Consequently, he considered it meaningful to be born in a religion, but advised not to die in it. He wanted strong human who worship the spirit by the spirit."
Devaraha Baba, a 300 year old sadhu, free from fear, free from desires, free from the world and full of confidence and radiance, recited author.
How author describes Indians - “A smile comes easily to Indians, and they are quick to recover even after horrendous catastrophes. They are expert in accepting difficult situations and difficult people. Surely, in this field , if it were part of the Olympic games, they would win gold medal. People seems to realize that complaining and whining serve no purpose except spoiling one's mood. This wise accepting attitude gives India a special position in the world.”
Praising Indian women – Author mentioned her conversations with foreign (Brazilian) black guy,
"Did you notice that no Indian women looks at me? Yet almost every Western women looks directly at me and in Brazil it is the same. The women there make themselves cheap and the culture is finished. The way Indian women conduct themselves is admirable. It shows that their culture is still intact."
“Does one need a guru?” (Chapter no. 32) some insights of this chapter:
Ramana Maharshi once said, “There is a guru for everyone. I admit a guru for myself.” His devotees were surprised, as he did not have a guru in human form (though he had earlier hinted that he might have had one in his previous life). “Who is your guru?” somebody asked. “Atman” he replied.
“I realized that an outer guru is there only for a while. He comes into one’s life when the time is right. Yet the inner guru is always there. He never forsakes one and guides one through life in the best possible way and even better if one listens to the subtle promptings and stays present in the now as far as possible.”
“Spiritual India felt like home.”
Author recites Letter from Abdullah, “When I came to India, I had consciously given myself to the One – to Him as the Absolute as well as immanent in His manifestation, I try to be open for everyone whom I meet. It is not for me to judge or be selective, because He is looking out from all eyes.”
" India is amazingly generous and every living creature is given space. The Dictum is not biblical(Genesis 1.26):"The earth and the creatures on it shall be subservient to man", but a harmonious living together."
The book is filled with piquing inner thoughts, a review cannot cover it all.
Author covered some critical issues in last chapters:
“Macaulay's children” (chapter no. 40) deserves to be a part of Indian school education. Every single Indian citizen should know the vital facts stated in this chapter censurable for present condition of India.
While exploring the book we read, “ We must do our best to form a class who may be interpreters between us and the millions whom we govern, a class of persons, Indian in blood and color, but English in taste, in opinions, words and intellect, I propose that we replace her old ancient (Sanskrit) education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will loose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.” demanded Thomas Macaulay is 1835 in the parliament in London.
"English education – a big blunder” is another important chapter. As per author’s posit “Sanskrit should be used as link language and as language for higher education instead of English. Sanskrit would not, as English medium does, dim the naturally high intelligence of Indians but increase it. Students also could again decode the vast knowledge that is contained in their Sanskrit heritage.
"Mischievous accusations: 'Hindu Terror' and 'rape culture'” (chapter no.42),insights from chapter, “The terms 'Hindu Terror’ and 'Saffron Terror' were used with ease by politicians, who would not use the term Muslim or Islamic terror.” “I wondered why 'Hindu' could be freely associated with terror without evidence, yet 'Muslim' would be disassociated from terror even when there was evidence. “Terror has no religion” is worldwide the official formula when Muslim are the perpetrators.” Author defensively writes “Of course India is not the country of rapists. In fact, India is way behind America, Europe or Africa when the number of rapes is put in relation to the population.”
“After the massive influx of Muslim migrants into Western Europe, the natives there suspect meanwhile that the huge increase in rapes has something to do with the mind-set which Islam produces. Strangely media and politicians call such suspicion Islamophobia, instead of analyzing the texts and the mind-set.”
"Cast System – stick to beat India with” -
“……..India will be again the guru of the world, as it was in ancient times………..” penned by author and almost everyone in the world have merely same view about India. But I disagree, the one who has wisdom is always a guru whether you give a stamp of approval or not, similarly India was guru of the world, India is the guru of the world and India will always be guru of the world because India has its immense ancient wisdom. Indian wisdom is not primitive, it is leading-edge of human advancement. Ancient Indian wisdom is the base of all researches that has been accomplished and going on in every single field. It is just the world is not playing fair enough to give credit.
Author bravely writes “Imagine the plight of Church: After the Vedas reached the West in 18th century, the intellectual elite there was greatly impressed. Right from Voltaire to Einstein to Steve Jobs, many great minds were inspired by Vedic wisdom. To keep her flock under control, the Church needed to make sure that this knowledge didn't spread and more important, was made to look primitive. The Church was successful in changing the perception of Indian tradition. I asked recently three German girls in Rishikesh what they associate with Hinduism. Promptly that replied “caste system” and after a while “many gods”. The Vedas or even Yoga didn't cross their mind( the essence of Hinduism).
"The world is in need of Indian wisdom” ( chapter no. 45)
Truth has different meaning in everyone’s life. Truth is called ‘Satya’ in Sankrit. The literal meaning of satya is 'saté hitam' that means ‘welfare of all'.
Author writes, “Indian wisdom is beneficial guiding light for all humanity.” “ Indian wisdom is practical and needs to be experienced. It is a genuine enquiry into Truth. It is about discovering what we really are, apart from ever-changing body and mind, and the ways for this discovery are manifold and joyful. No book is even needed, nobody needs to come and tell a story about what happened 2000 or 1400 years ago. The knowledge of truth is deep inside us……….The motto of Indian Republic is the Vedic Dictum “Satyamev Jayate” – Truth alone triumphs……the dogmatic religion mixed the truth of “there is only one Supreme Being” with untruth like “this Supreme being likes some and doesn’t like others." Truth has to triumph. Humanity needs to win over inhumanity. Imagine if the great majority of human beings would follow the Golden Rule again – don’t do to others what you don't want to be done to yourself.”
Only Indian wisdom can save humanity as it is based on Truth (welfare of all).
ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु, मा कश्चित् दुःख भाग्भवेत्॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Meaning :
May all be prosperous and happy, May all be free from illness
May all see what is spiritually uplifting, May no one suffer
Om peace, peace, peace.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from Young Thinker’s forum.
The author of ‘Thank You India' has shared her journey in search of ‘truth' that ends in India. Depiction of her journey is free from all prejudices and favoritism. Author opines about various luminary, consigning readers to postulate that. How India misled away from its ancient wisdom on account of conspiracy of foreign powers, who tyrannized it, was also put down disarmingly in black and white by author.
Maria Wirth also shows great concern toward deceptive attacks on India and India based ancient religion.
Detailed review:
"Never again India!" Was author's remark during first visit to India. But later in the book, she gives details on undeniable majestic side of India and "Indian wisdom is the beneficial guiding light for all humanity" is her final remark.
In the book, Author talks about her journey to many famed gurus as well as unsung but genuine gurus of India. She captivatingly paint a word picture of her inner thoughts and experiences, which helps to make an unmediated link with reader's soul. During her journey she fell in love with true India that is 'bharnat mata', and learnt the true meaning of dharma that is 'right way of living.'
Touching upon Swami Vivekananda she writes,
“Vivekananda told his American audience frankly, what he thought about their society. He considered it hypocritical. ‘What is the use of your proud talk about your society, if truth has no place in it? he asked. ‘What you call progress is according to me nothing more than the multiplication of desires. And if one thing is clear to me, it is this: desires bring misery.’ was his analysis.”
"He considered religion as kinder garden. Consequently, he considered it meaningful to be born in a religion, but advised not to die in it. He wanted strong human who worship the spirit by the spirit."
Devaraha Baba, a 300 year old sadhu, free from fear, free from desires, free from the world and full of confidence and radiance, recited author.
How author describes Indians - “A smile comes easily to Indians, and they are quick to recover even after horrendous catastrophes. They are expert in accepting difficult situations and difficult people. Surely, in this field , if it were part of the Olympic games, they would win gold medal. People seems to realize that complaining and whining serve no purpose except spoiling one's mood. This wise accepting attitude gives India a special position in the world.”
Praising Indian women – Author mentioned her conversations with foreign (Brazilian) black guy,
"Did you notice that no Indian women looks at me? Yet almost every Western women looks directly at me and in Brazil it is the same. The women there make themselves cheap and the culture is finished. The way Indian women conduct themselves is admirable. It shows that their culture is still intact."
“Does one need a guru?” (Chapter no. 32) some insights of this chapter:
Ramana Maharshi once said, “There is a guru for everyone. I admit a guru for myself.” His devotees were surprised, as he did not have a guru in human form (though he had earlier hinted that he might have had one in his previous life). “Who is your guru?” somebody asked. “Atman” he replied.
“I realized that an outer guru is there only for a while. He comes into one’s life when the time is right. Yet the inner guru is always there. He never forsakes one and guides one through life in the best possible way and even better if one listens to the subtle promptings and stays present in the now as far as possible.”
“Spiritual India felt like home.”
Author recites Letter from Abdullah, “When I came to India, I had consciously given myself to the One – to Him as the Absolute as well as immanent in His manifestation, I try to be open for everyone whom I meet. It is not for me to judge or be selective, because He is looking out from all eyes.”
" India is amazingly generous and every living creature is given space. The Dictum is not biblical(Genesis 1.26):"The earth and the creatures on it shall be subservient to man", but a harmonious living together."
The book is filled with piquing inner thoughts, a review cannot cover it all.
Author covered some critical issues in last chapters:
“Macaulay's children” (chapter no. 40) deserves to be a part of Indian school education. Every single Indian citizen should know the vital facts stated in this chapter censurable for present condition of India.
While exploring the book we read, “ We must do our best to form a class who may be interpreters between us and the millions whom we govern, a class of persons, Indian in blood and color, but English in taste, in opinions, words and intellect, I propose that we replace her old ancient (Sanskrit) education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will loose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.” demanded Thomas Macaulay is 1835 in the parliament in London.
"English education – a big blunder” is another important chapter. As per author’s posit “Sanskrit should be used as link language and as language for higher education instead of English. Sanskrit would not, as English medium does, dim the naturally high intelligence of Indians but increase it. Students also could again decode the vast knowledge that is contained in their Sanskrit heritage.
"Mischievous accusations: 'Hindu Terror' and 'rape culture'” (chapter no.42),insights from chapter, “The terms 'Hindu Terror’ and 'Saffron Terror' were used with ease by politicians, who would not use the term Muslim or Islamic terror.” “I wondered why 'Hindu' could be freely associated with terror without evidence, yet 'Muslim' would be disassociated from terror even when there was evidence. “Terror has no religion” is worldwide the official formula when Muslim are the perpetrators.” Author defensively writes “Of course India is not the country of rapists. In fact, India is way behind America, Europe or Africa when the number of rapes is put in relation to the population.”
“After the massive influx of Muslim migrants into Western Europe, the natives there suspect meanwhile that the huge increase in rapes has something to do with the mind-set which Islam produces. Strangely media and politicians call such suspicion Islamophobia, instead of analyzing the texts and the mind-set.”
"Cast System – stick to beat India with” -
“……..India will be again the guru of the world, as it was in ancient times………..” penned by author and almost everyone in the world have merely same view about India. But I disagree, the one who has wisdom is always a guru whether you give a stamp of approval or not, similarly India was guru of the world, India is the guru of the world and India will always be guru of the world because India has its immense ancient wisdom. Indian wisdom is not primitive, it is leading-edge of human advancement. Ancient Indian wisdom is the base of all researches that has been accomplished and going on in every single field. It is just the world is not playing fair enough to give credit.
Author bravely writes “Imagine the plight of Church: After the Vedas reached the West in 18th century, the intellectual elite there was greatly impressed. Right from Voltaire to Einstein to Steve Jobs, many great minds were inspired by Vedic wisdom. To keep her flock under control, the Church needed to make sure that this knowledge didn't spread and more important, was made to look primitive. The Church was successful in changing the perception of Indian tradition. I asked recently three German girls in Rishikesh what they associate with Hinduism. Promptly that replied “caste system” and after a while “many gods”. The Vedas or even Yoga didn't cross their mind( the essence of Hinduism).
"The world is in need of Indian wisdom” ( chapter no. 45)
Truth has different meaning in everyone’s life. Truth is called ‘Satya’ in Sankrit. The literal meaning of satya is 'saté hitam' that means ‘welfare of all'.
Author writes, “Indian wisdom is beneficial guiding light for all humanity.” “ Indian wisdom is practical and needs to be experienced. It is a genuine enquiry into Truth. It is about discovering what we really are, apart from ever-changing body and mind, and the ways for this discovery are manifold and joyful. No book is even needed, nobody needs to come and tell a story about what happened 2000 or 1400 years ago. The knowledge of truth is deep inside us……….The motto of Indian Republic is the Vedic Dictum “Satyamev Jayate” – Truth alone triumphs……the dogmatic religion mixed the truth of “there is only one Supreme Being” with untruth like “this Supreme being likes some and doesn’t like others." Truth has to triumph. Humanity needs to win over inhumanity. Imagine if the great majority of human beings would follow the Golden Rule again – don’t do to others what you don't want to be done to yourself.”
Only Indian wisdom can save humanity as it is based on Truth (welfare of all).
ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु, मा कश्चित् दुःख भाग्भवेत्॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Meaning :
May all be prosperous and happy, May all be free from illness
May all see what is spiritually uplifting, May no one suffer
Om peace, peace, peace.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from Young Thinker’s forum.
January 6, 2021
‘Never again India!’ is what Maria Wirth had said after her first visit to India. Her return five years later was as a stopover to Australia. That stopover lasted 38 years.
‘Thank you India’ is a book about that ‘stopover’.
About her second visit, she says, ‘India threw a spell on me. The country was bright and warm and the people were helpful, friendly and well meaning. Just a hint of a smile from my side and a big smile would flash back to me.’
The book is quite engaging and one is taken by the raw honesty in it. As she titles her book ‘Thank You India’ one would assume that she had a luxurious time here with no illness or hardship and met only enlightened people. But contrary to that Maria lived numerous years doing impossible saadhana in various aashrams. Simultaneously, she was making ends meet by writing for a German magazine. Also, she met all kinds of Gurus, spiritual leaders and sanyasis. Some were far from enlightened. Some were truly learned and she shares how much she gained from her interactions from them.
After reading her book I felt that, as is the global trend, the same book could have been written in a manner deriding everything India, Indian and Hindu. But as Maria stuck to her instincts, which understood the soul of India and Indians, the vicious hinduphobic campaigns just couldn’t impair her judgement. At best she remained baffled as to why Indians, who are so fortunate to be born in this land of spiritual wisdom would not protect it and practice it and promote it. A question increasingly asked my many today.
This book is a must read for all foreigners coming to India. It removes all romantic ideas that one may have about having a magical spiritual journey in India. She speaks of her relentless search for truth and the tapasya that it all actually entails. She shares very legitimate concerns of finding a guru who is truly enlightened. AND… the book also takes head on, the collective done-to-death campaigns to demonise Indian society. Reading that would help visitors to India shed some of the prejudices that they would have picked up from everything else that they read.
She ends with a beautiful chapter called, ‘The world is in need of Indian wisdom’. She says, ‘In India, even now it feels as if only a curtain separates our material world from the subtler worlds, while in the West, a brick wall is between them.’ It is a timely reminder for us Indians that while there is a whole lot that we must learn from the West, we must not confuse 'making money' for true happiness. For that lies only in finding the 'ultimate truth' and not in material things.
‘Thank you India’ is a book about that ‘stopover’.
About her second visit, she says, ‘India threw a spell on me. The country was bright and warm and the people were helpful, friendly and well meaning. Just a hint of a smile from my side and a big smile would flash back to me.’
The book is quite engaging and one is taken by the raw honesty in it. As she titles her book ‘Thank You India’ one would assume that she had a luxurious time here with no illness or hardship and met only enlightened people. But contrary to that Maria lived numerous years doing impossible saadhana in various aashrams. Simultaneously, she was making ends meet by writing for a German magazine. Also, she met all kinds of Gurus, spiritual leaders and sanyasis. Some were far from enlightened. Some were truly learned and she shares how much she gained from her interactions from them.
After reading her book I felt that, as is the global trend, the same book could have been written in a manner deriding everything India, Indian and Hindu. But as Maria stuck to her instincts, which understood the soul of India and Indians, the vicious hinduphobic campaigns just couldn’t impair her judgement. At best she remained baffled as to why Indians, who are so fortunate to be born in this land of spiritual wisdom would not protect it and practice it and promote it. A question increasingly asked my many today.
This book is a must read for all foreigners coming to India. It removes all romantic ideas that one may have about having a magical spiritual journey in India. She speaks of her relentless search for truth and the tapasya that it all actually entails. She shares very legitimate concerns of finding a guru who is truly enlightened. AND… the book also takes head on, the collective done-to-death campaigns to demonise Indian society. Reading that would help visitors to India shed some of the prejudices that they would have picked up from everything else that they read.
She ends with a beautiful chapter called, ‘The world is in need of Indian wisdom’. She says, ‘In India, even now it feels as if only a curtain separates our material world from the subtler worlds, while in the West, a brick wall is between them.’ It is a timely reminder for us Indians that while there is a whole lot that we must learn from the West, we must not confuse 'making money' for true happiness. For that lies only in finding the 'ultimate truth' and not in material things.
October 3, 2019
Maria Wirth writes about her life in India. Books gives a glimpse into her journey to know the ultimate truth i.e. The Self. Books also gives the reader an insider view of the ancient dharmic culture. It also talks about how Sanatana Dharma will be a solution to all the problems the humanity is facing. Overall the book gives a better perspective of India(Bharata Mata) when compared to the mainstream media.
October 31, 2019
This book is an invocation of the eternal wisdom of Indian spiritual traditions while also bringing a fresh perspective on some of the key social-cultural challenges impeding a true Indian renaissance.
As Maria shares in the book, her first visit to India was at the time when she was still pursuing her studies at Hamburg University. She spent six weeks in India, went back to Germany and told her mother – “Never again India!” But the pull of Mother India had yet to start working its full force on her.
After finishing her psychology studies at the university, Maria found herself back in India on a quick stop-over (or that’s what she had thought at least) on her way to Australia. And the stop-over has never ended, and she has yet to visit Australia! This, she says, is the blessing of the various sages and saints she has met in India during her 30 plus years.
In her book, Maria writes about her meetings and interactions with various sages and saints from different parts of India. In the latter part of the book, she also speaks of her meeting the widely acclaimed modern gurus such as Baba Ramdev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as well as Meister Eckhart. What strikes the reader right from the start is that her account is not that of a Westerner or an Indian merely curious about all things spiritual; her account is that of a seeker, of an aspirant who is seeking and ardently pursuing the path which leads to an inner wisdom, a wider and richer self-awareness and a deeper realisation of the Truth.
Maria also speaks of the love, compassion, bliss and peace she experienced at the feet of the gurus, she also speaks of the troubles caused by the failings of the human instrument that she witnessed at such places. She doesn’t sugar coat her own doubts and questions either, which is what makes her book so remarkably sincere and honest, and adds an extra dose of delight to anyone on a similar quest to seek the eternal wisdom that constitutes the core of Indian spiritual culture. For example, the chapter in which she explores the question whether one needs a guru, what the Indian tradition speaks about the role of the guru, the significance of finding one’s true guru within oneself, and her own struggles with committing and surrendering to an outer guru is a remarkable read, and one with which many modern minds will easily connect.
Through her outer journeys to various places in India, Maria is actually describing her inner journey, journeys rather, into the various parts of her ‘self’. This is what makes her book intensely personal, and yet so relatable for many readers who are on a similar quest in their own way. In a deeper sense, this is also universal in nature because it speaks of how an outer and an inner journey come together when one is sincerely seeking a deeper meaning and purpose in life.
The last chapter of Maria’s book presents a remarkably candid and honest analysis of the current global crisis that is grounded in a faulty and false understanding of inter-religious conflict. She wonders why in the international political-cultural discourse there is so much attempt to cover up the exclusive and dogmatic nature of Abrahamic religions while at the same time one finds such senseless denigration of and attacks on the inclusive and pluralistic traditions of Sanatana Dharma.
Read my full review here: https://www.academia.edu/40629059/A_R...
As Maria shares in the book, her first visit to India was at the time when she was still pursuing her studies at Hamburg University. She spent six weeks in India, went back to Germany and told her mother – “Never again India!” But the pull of Mother India had yet to start working its full force on her.
After finishing her psychology studies at the university, Maria found herself back in India on a quick stop-over (or that’s what she had thought at least) on her way to Australia. And the stop-over has never ended, and she has yet to visit Australia! This, she says, is the blessing of the various sages and saints she has met in India during her 30 plus years.
In her book, Maria writes about her meetings and interactions with various sages and saints from different parts of India. In the latter part of the book, she also speaks of her meeting the widely acclaimed modern gurus such as Baba Ramdev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as well as Meister Eckhart. What strikes the reader right from the start is that her account is not that of a Westerner or an Indian merely curious about all things spiritual; her account is that of a seeker, of an aspirant who is seeking and ardently pursuing the path which leads to an inner wisdom, a wider and richer self-awareness and a deeper realisation of the Truth.
Maria also speaks of the love, compassion, bliss and peace she experienced at the feet of the gurus, she also speaks of the troubles caused by the failings of the human instrument that she witnessed at such places. She doesn’t sugar coat her own doubts and questions either, which is what makes her book so remarkably sincere and honest, and adds an extra dose of delight to anyone on a similar quest to seek the eternal wisdom that constitutes the core of Indian spiritual culture. For example, the chapter in which she explores the question whether one needs a guru, what the Indian tradition speaks about the role of the guru, the significance of finding one’s true guru within oneself, and her own struggles with committing and surrendering to an outer guru is a remarkable read, and one with which many modern minds will easily connect.
Through her outer journeys to various places in India, Maria is actually describing her inner journey, journeys rather, into the various parts of her ‘self’. This is what makes her book intensely personal, and yet so relatable for many readers who are on a similar quest in their own way. In a deeper sense, this is also universal in nature because it speaks of how an outer and an inner journey come together when one is sincerely seeking a deeper meaning and purpose in life.
The last chapter of Maria’s book presents a remarkably candid and honest analysis of the current global crisis that is grounded in a faulty and false understanding of inter-religious conflict. She wonders why in the international political-cultural discourse there is so much attempt to cover up the exclusive and dogmatic nature of Abrahamic religions while at the same time one finds such senseless denigration of and attacks on the inclusive and pluralistic traditions of Sanatana Dharma.
Read my full review here: https://www.academia.edu/40629059/A_R...
January 26, 2020
This book is a perspective of an outsider who came to India, roamed around, interacted with large number of sages, gurus and eminent people. The book is all about those interactions. Book is a great read as each chapter unfolds a new story.
January 11, 2021
Just finished , what a fantastic book.!!❤️
Such a heartful and candid saga of journey of a german woman throughout india, highly recommended if you are interested in indian spiritual wisdom.
Such a heartful and candid saga of journey of a german woman throughout india, highly recommended if you are interested in indian spiritual wisdom.
April 10, 2022
Well written book by someone whose first language is not English. It's interesting to learn about her journey through India. Fascinating how she is able pick up the nuances about India and connect so well with the Hindu culture.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2023
A super memoir of a German woman traveling to India then deciding to live there always.
This book talks about her journey to the Wisdom of Yoga - or say - to the search of truth - with Indian cultural heritage, knowledge, and Gurus - in Himalayas and other places.
I should say, a better title could be: West meets East to finally find Wisdom, or a Westerner (German)'s perspective to Indian culture, Hindu religion.
A heavily recommended book for anyone interested in learning more about Hinduism, Indian culture heritage, and in search of truth.
This book contains lots of info about various paths to seek the truth, with different Gurus, and experiences of philosophies in daily life in India.
It's a storytelling book, so not-that-much theoretical plain knowledge.
Easy choice for a beginner reader as well.
This book talks about her journey to the Wisdom of Yoga - or say - to the search of truth - with Indian cultural heritage, knowledge, and Gurus - in Himalayas and other places.
I should say, a better title could be: West meets East to finally find Wisdom, or a Westerner (German)'s perspective to Indian culture, Hindu religion.
A heavily recommended book for anyone interested in learning more about Hinduism, Indian culture heritage, and in search of truth.
This book contains lots of info about various paths to seek the truth, with different Gurus, and experiences of philosophies in daily life in India.
It's a storytelling book, so not-that-much theoretical plain knowledge.
Easy choice for a beginner reader as well.
February 15, 2026
Wisdom
"Indian wisdom is practical and needs to be experienced. It is a genuine enquiry into truth. It is about discovering what we really are, apart from the ever-changing body and mind, and the ways for this discovery are manifold and joyful."
Thankyou Maria ..... Thankyou for being rooted.....
Thankyou for being a daughter of Bharath
"Indian wisdom is practical and needs to be experienced. It is a genuine enquiry into truth. It is about discovering what we really are, apart from the ever-changing body and mind, and the ways for this discovery are manifold and joyful."
Thankyou Maria ..... Thankyou for being rooted.....
Thankyou for being a daughter of Bharath
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