an update on the reading

the winter break has seen considerable reading thus far, and i take a moment to jot down the high points of each of these, before i forget.

• the story of my experiments with truth: gandhi's autobiography took me a long time to get through, perhaps for the density of detail in its pages. i confess that some of the detail on the politics of the situation was lost on me, but i did enjoy reading about gandhiji's experiments with his diet and his views on religion and spirituality. his ambition to "reduce himself to zero" left a big imprint.
• the autobiography of a yogi: an astonishing and inspiring read, it reinforces belief in miracles and divinity on earth. could this be? - one wonders over and over again.
• what religion is: a collection of swami vivekananda's words on the philosophies of vedanta and the four yogas. every successive read leaves a deeper understanding, and a deeper resolve.
• tao te ching: this one was haaard. i cannot claim to understand very much of this ancient text (though i can only speak for the translation i read, truly). i am, however, glad to know a little more about taoism as a result (though a little knowledge...).
• words to live by: there are 366 pages to this book by eknath easwaran - one for each day of the year. for every day, he picks a teaching and expounds on it, his goal being to help the sadhaka of today progress along the spiritual path. and every day is beautiful, no surprises.
  
• meditation: i enjoyed easwaran's style very much and was motivated to purchase this book of his. it was a powerful read - not for the eightfold path of meditation in daily living so much as for the simple lessons put forth in ways one can relate to easily, especially in today's world.
• katha upanishad: a simple and endearing conversation between nachiketa and yama. the simplicity of truth is so powerful.
• shri sai baba's teachings and philosophy: an informative read on the precepts sai baba shared with his disciples. i especially liked reading about his efforts to bring together hindus and muslims.
• by the river piedra i sat down and wept: a paulo coelho novel recommended by a dear friend. i confess that the protagonist did leave me puzzled in parts, but i loved the concept of the Other that i shall share at a later point.