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Stumbling Into Infinity: An Ordinary Man in the Sphere of Enlightenment
by
Stumbling Into Infinity is the intimate and sometimes startling account of Michael Fischman's spiritual journey and the encounter that changed his life forever.
His story opens on a flight to India, as he reflects on the unusual chain of events that led him from a challenging childhood to his unexpected role as friend and helper to a renowned humanitarian and spiritual lead ...more
His story opens on a flight to India, as he reflects on the unusual chain of events that led him from a challenging childhood to his unexpected role as friend and helper to a renowned humanitarian and spiritual lead ...more
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Paperback, 296 pages
Published
October 22nd 2010
by Morgan James Publishing
(first published 2009)
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Start your review of Stumbling Into Infinity: An Ordinary Man in the Sphere of Enlightenment

This was a book that I was really looking forward to reading and I must say that I enjoyed it from the start, although after a few chapters I was really finding it hard to put down and just wanted to read more and more. The book is a really open and honest account of the authors life and his spiritual journey with the close bond he has enjoyed with his spiritual master Guruji Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Son of a middle class Jewish family, struggling with a strong fear of death, losing his mother, foun ...more
Son of a middle class Jewish family, struggling with a strong fear of death, losing his mother, foun ...more

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar once said, "Wake up and see, life is a game. ...[T]here were good events, bad events, you had profit, you had loss." Author and spiritual leader Michael Fischman knows all to well about the good, the bad, the profits and the losses that life deals us. He chronicles his own game of life and struggle/journey to in his memoir Stumbling Into Infinity: An Ordinary Man in the Sphere of Enlightenment. The son of a Polish deli owner and World War II survivor, Fischman gives readers
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I found it fascinating to read of a journey towards enlightenment in the form of a memoir. Everything described seemed more real and less "mystical" and out of reach. Upon reading this book, I looked up the form of meditation that made the art of living foundation so famous and tried it myself. For the first time ever, I was able to grasp meditation and understand its effectiveness. Traditional meditation has never "worked" for me, or rather I never understood how to make it work. With this, I w
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Inspiring book. Like Yogananda in "Autobiography of a Yogi," the author is so innocent and willing to share his shortcomings that you can't help believe the more mystical and extraordinary experiences.
Beautiful, personal, and uplifting. I cried a couple times. A nice mix of personal trials and growth, captivating story, wisdom, humor, and an appreciation of that rare (in the West) relationship of spiritual master and devotee. (Although in this case, the master seems to have had his work cut out ...more
Beautiful, personal, and uplifting. I cried a couple times. A nice mix of personal trials and growth, captivating story, wisdom, humor, and an appreciation of that rare (in the West) relationship of spiritual master and devotee. (Although in this case, the master seems to have had his work cut out ...more

I didn't actually finish this, but I read a good portion. It's an interesting story of an American man on a spiritual journey and his finding his path with a guru from India. I usually like stories like this, but it's poorly written and I couldn't find enough similarity in our spiritual journeys to be drawn in to the story. Other people seem to like it, though, so give it a shot, if you're more drawn to Eastern spirituality and can tolerate boring narrative.
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This book was recommended to me by an Art of Living devotee. Michael hit upon so many points that many of us ponder as we wonder around on our spiritual paths. While there are no answers per say in this book as this is one mans experience, Michael has a way of using his guru's words to make you think about your ego and what it is you are getting put of life.
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Feb 08, 2020
Sameep
added it
a well-written book. It's a good read on Michael's journey with the art of living.
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An emotional ride it had been. There isn't a chapter that goes without a drop of tear. Beautifully written . Filled with gratitude.
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It’s a gripping story of an ordinary man’s journey in to the sphere of enlightenment, with his and also my guru, HH Sri Sri Ravishankar. Fischman, who is currently the head of Art of Living foundation in USA, presents a very real and lucid biographical account of his spiritual shopping sprees, ups and downs, finding his Guru and experiencing his grace, doubting him, serving him, and more ups and downs, and finally rising above all doubts – exploring highest of human possibilities and being in un
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5 star because my Guruji is the protagonist for the story. Awesome storytelling by Michael Fischman. Kept me engaged all thorugh, may be because i am a die-hard devotee of Guruji. But a must-must read for all those who are followers of Guruji & all those who are looking for something extraordinary in their life but aren't able to find it, this book will inspire you to take a step to become what is most fortunate thing in the Universe : A disciple or devotee, that too of Guruji(His Holiness Sri S
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Felt like every page from the book was my personal experience narrated by a friend. Michael's journey in to art of living is indeed just not his alone. Its miraculous to understand/ experience that how can one person/guru have a relation as intimate as he has with Michael with everybody who has joined the path.
Thank you Michael for unfolding your experiences. It helped tremendously to develop the firm trust... :D
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Thank you Michael for unfolding your experiences. It helped tremendously to develop the firm trust... :D
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Right from the beginning I felt that this book is specially written for me. Felt very much connected. Very much moved.
The book helped me to understand the grace of my guru SriSri, overcome my inferiorities and motivated to put my desire to serve humanity into action without any doubts in my mind. Definitely a life changing book for me. Great Thanks to author Michael Fischman for coming up with this book.
The book helped me to understand the grace of my guru SriSri, overcome my inferiorities and motivated to put my desire to serve humanity into action without any doubts in my mind. Definitely a life changing book for me. Great Thanks to author Michael Fischman for coming up with this book.

Jan 25, 2016
Sujata Sahni
added it
Spirituality 101 : One day a man was looking for a key on the road. A neighbour offered to help and asked him where he had lost it. The reply was - Somewhere in the house. The neighbour asked, then why are we looking out here. The man replied because the light is better. Looking outside of yourself for any joy is the big illusion.
To realise one's potential, capabilities and limitations, one has to become bigger than the events. The deeper the darkness the nearer the dawn. ...more
To realise one's potential, capabilities and limitations, one has to become bigger than the events. The deeper the darkness the nearer the dawn. ...more

An inspiring book that narrates a man's journey with his Guru. It is a story of a man's struggle with his own emotions, attitudes, desires and aspirations - both worldly and spiritual. How the Master guides and leads him through the path.
A must read for all of Guruji's devotees in particular and everyone on the spiritual path in general. ...more
A must read for all of Guruji's devotees in particular and everyone on the spiritual path in general. ...more

The Book is an autobiography that one would not like to read. The title of the book is very much misleading. It should have been travells of Michael Fischman or How I became teacher of Art of Living. There is distiction between praises and sycophancy. What the author has indulged in his autobigraphy is sycophancy of the guru.

A book which made 'spirituality' an effortless journey, which anyone can choose to go through! This book is highly relevant and recommended to anyone who has heard the word, 'spiritual'!
Simple and experiential writing! Apt choice of words, where in you can hear the author talk to you!
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Simple and experiential writing! Apt choice of words, where in you can hear the author talk to you!
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Interesting at times, but the author's writing style was bent more towards implicit persuasion as opposed to open exploration of the spirituality he sought and found, and when I read religious spirituality books, I prefer the open exploration rather than the persuasion writing style.
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You've got to know Sri Sri to feel connected all along and to enjoy the book to its fullest. I wouldn't say it was an exciting read but I can assure, the feeling you are left with at the end of the book is just amazing.
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Absolutely soul stirring. A page turner indeed. A very true and honest account of a seeker who went on to become a devotee.
"It is not happiness that makes you grateful, but gratefulness that makes you happy".. Grateful to be a reader of this wonderful piece. ...more
"It is not happiness that makes you grateful, but gratefulness that makes you happy".. Grateful to be a reader of this wonderful piece. ...more
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