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Spiritual Cannibalism
Swami Rudrananda, (known as Rudi), an American meditation master and devotee of Bhagavan Nityananda, completed Spiritual Cannibalism shortly before his untimely death in 1973. This guide to fulfilling your spiritual potential is the only book that Rudi wrote and published himself. It is a classic that documents his intensity, insight and lived-through experience of the infinite.
The provocative title, Spiritual Cannibalism, puts into perspective the relationship of human beings to one another. When we eat fruit, the skin provides roughage essential to our growth. In human relationships, too, roughage is essential. The total person must be consumed to support life in its depth–to allow for creative interchange between one human being and another, and eventually between a human being and God. “Life must be consumed whole—with all its tensions, pain, and joy. Only by surmounting a situation can we achieve the understanding, the nourishment, that that situation offers,” he wrote.
The book has two parts. In the first part, Rudi teaches that spiritual practice is work and describes his life of disciplined yoga practice and teaching. He uses personal examples and anecdotes to illustrate his teaching in simple but powerful words. He explains the role played by a spiritual teacher or guru, while dispelling common illusions about spirituality. Perhaps most importantly, he describes techniques that are fundamental to his teaching, all the while encouraging us to accept the full challenge of life.
In the second part, Rudi describes an advanced stage of spiritual practice that is beyond time and space—what he called his tantric work. Using parables and a new language he was in the process of developing just before his death, he describes three levels of work. In life we see differences; in spirituality we see the oneness in everyone; in time and space, we are the oneness, and our true nature is revealed.
The provocative title, Spiritual Cannibalism, puts into perspective the relationship of human beings to one another. When we eat fruit, the skin provides roughage essential to our growth. In human relationships, too, roughage is essential. The total person must be consumed to support life in its depth–to allow for creative interchange between one human being and another, and eventually between a human being and God. “Life must be consumed whole—with all its tensions, pain, and joy. Only by surmounting a situation can we achieve the understanding, the nourishment, that that situation offers,” he wrote.
The book has two parts. In the first part, Rudi teaches that spiritual practice is work and describes his life of disciplined yoga practice and teaching. He uses personal examples and anecdotes to illustrate his teaching in simple but powerful words. He explains the role played by a spiritual teacher or guru, while dispelling common illusions about spirituality. Perhaps most importantly, he describes techniques that are fundamental to his teaching, all the while encouraging us to accept the full challenge of life.
In the second part, Rudi describes an advanced stage of spiritual practice that is beyond time and space—what he called his tantric work. Using parables and a new language he was in the process of developing just before his death, he describes three levels of work. In life we see differences; in spirituality we see the oneness in everyone; in time and space, we are the oneness, and our true nature is revealed.
- GenresSpiritualityNonfiction
149 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 9, 2009
The second and third editions of Spiritual Cannibalism were rearranged and edited considerably, and over 100 sentences were eliminated from what originally appeared in the first edition, including this statement by Rudi:
"My initiation by Swami Nityananda took place two years after his death."
Only the first edition, published in 1973, contains Rudi's original text.
Furthermore, in the Introduction to this edition, Michael Shoemaker (a.k.a. Swami Chetanananda) states, "The first edition of Spiritual Cannibalism, assembled from various manuscripts and transcriptions of Rudi's talks, was published in January, 1973." This statement is completely untrue. Rudi wrote an original manuscript and published it himself.
"My initiation by Swami Nityananda took place two years after his death."
Only the first edition, published in 1973, contains Rudi's original text.
Furthermore, in the Introduction to this edition, Michael Shoemaker (a.k.a. Swami Chetanananda) states, "The first edition of Spiritual Cannibalism, assembled from various manuscripts and transcriptions of Rudi's talks, was published in January, 1973." This statement is completely untrue. Rudi wrote an original manuscript and published it himself.
February 9, 2009
Spiritual Cannibalism is truly a spiritual classic.
This first edition, published in 1973, by Links Books, is the only edition that contains Rudi's exact words. Subsequent editions by Rudra Press have been edited and rearranged considerably, and there are over 100 sentences that were cut from the newer versions, including the following sentence:
"My initiation by Swami Nityananda took place two years after his death."
This first edition, published in 1973, by Links Books, is the only edition that contains Rudi's exact words. Subsequent editions by Rudra Press have been edited and rearranged considerably, and there are over 100 sentences that were cut from the newer versions, including the following sentence:
"My initiation by Swami Nityananda took place two years after his death."
September 23, 2025
“People locked in their own tension, relating to themselves with self-pity, reduce their capacity as human beings.”
I read the first edition, which is rough reading. This is like the spiritual equivalent of listening to a low bitrate mp3 downloaded on limewire. Some interesting thoughts especially on karma, work and teaching but fair warning Rudi is clearly not a “main highway” teacher.
Editing and structure is very basic. I imagine these would be Facebook posts if published in 2025 rather than a book.
I read the first edition, which is rough reading. This is like the spiritual equivalent of listening to a low bitrate mp3 downloaded on limewire. Some interesting thoughts especially on karma, work and teaching but fair warning Rudi is clearly not a “main highway” teacher.
Editing and structure is very basic. I imagine these would be Facebook posts if published in 2025 rather than a book.
February 4, 2012
This was one of the first books I read as I was starting on my spiritual journey. It showed me that I was not alone.
July 26, 2012
Love the title and so far a great book about Rudi
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews