I
was so impressed after reading Om Swami’s A
fistful of love wisdom and humour from a monk’s bowl, that
I purchased his autobiography If
Truth be Told – A Monk’s Memoir.
Unfortunately the book disappointed me.
The
book tells us about Om Swami, who became a renowned astrologer even
when he was in school. He became a successful software professional
and went on to start his own company. Then suddenly he received the
calling and he decided to give away all his earnings to a stranger
that on their first meeting. He goes to Varanasi and starts searching
for a Guru taking the help of a local guide. He finds his guru, who
is an adept tantric. However his Guru exploits him and fleeces of all
the remaining money. Finally he leaves his Guru and goes to perform
his penance in the Himalyas, where he gains self realization.
When
I am reading the book which has words A Monk’s Memoir, I expect to
read more about his life as a monk. His material success as a
software expert in Australia consumes most of the space in the book.
His search for Guru appears too superficial. How could an educated
man just go on knocking doors in Varanasi asking for a Guru? Even
when he finds his Guru, he is not taught anything. He goes to the
Himalayas and meditates on his own. There is nothing in the book
which would interest the seeker. I had read somewhere, autobiography
is like a woman, if beautiful not honest, if honest then not
beautiful.
Plus
there are errors in the book. These days I find errors even in books
of leading publishers. So on page 171 of the book there comes a
character called Sanjay. On the very same page Sanjay is
unintentionally christened as Ranjay. Thereafter on the following
pages he is Ranjay. This is not acceptable.
To
conclude I wasted my money on If Truth be Told A Monk’s Memoir.
Doesn’t it say all?
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