Thirteen Months In The Himalayas : Chronicles of a Monk's Sadhana

Its is a deeply introspective and inspiring writing by Om Swamiji, recounting His time spent in solitude in the harsh and remote Himalayas. Unlike many spiritual books that speak in abstract terms, this one offers a raw, firsthand account of what it truly means to renounce worldly life and seek enlightenment. Om Swamiji takes us through His journey from a successful corporate life to the freezing isolation of the mountains, where He devoted Himself to Sadhana. He vividly describes the challenges he faced—unbearable cold, physical hardships, and the overwhelming silence that forced him to confront His own mind. Yet, amidst the struggle, He also shares moments of deep spiritual awakening, clarity, and inner transformation. What I found unique in this book, is that it's not just about philosophy; it offers a practical guide to self-discipline and resilience. Om Swamiji generously shares some of the sacred mantras and meditation routines that shaped his spiritual practice, offering motivation to me and those on their own journey of self-discovery. His writing is simple yet deep, making even the most complex spiritual experiences relatable. This book is helping me to look inward and reflect on life’s deeper meaning. Whether we are interested in spirituality, meditation, or simply an extraordinary real-life story of perseverance, Thirteen Months in the Himalayas is a must-read. It leaves you with a sense of awe and inspiration. Thank You, Swamiji, for such wonderful writing. Jai Sri Hari!

In the history of mankind, On planet earth, for the first time ever an enlightened monk by name Om Swami has given it in writing about the meticulous sadhana he had done which lead to his liberation. He is a Jivan mukth, it is evident from the pages of this book. No other Avatar has done it. Neither Buddha, Adi Sankara, Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda had noted down in writing how they did sadhana themselves. A book filled with perservance, endurance, bhakthi, a Divine madness in search of the divine and how he achieved it and how everyone else can do the same, is what this book is about. Just completed a 16 day sadhana from sadhana app. When I compare my mantra chanting with how Om Swami does from this book, I can make out how mediocre my mind is and where exactly I am wrong and how to fix my goal and change my method of sadhana. This book helps a true sadhaka by giving a glimpse into the path of God Realization. It's a must read for every sincere seeker. I expected some unknown esoteric practice for the Sadhana but I was surprised to see the well known Vishnu Sahasranama and Lalitha Sahasranama and other known mantras for sadhana. It reiterates the fact that the mantra, which one selects is a medium to transcend the limitations of mind to enter the superconciousness. More than the mantra Shraddha, vairagya, mumukshuthva, discipline to synchronous thought, words and actions are what is needed. To sit for one hour of sadhana, the spine and knee breaks. To sit for 7 hours straight is simply superhuman effort. Buddha's guidance to Om Swami reiterates Sanatana dharma's principle of immortality that the Divine being when meditated upon will definitively show up and offer the choicest blessings on the sadhak and push him further on the path of sadhana. His personal experience of Mother Divine and Sri Hari, suspends the ego, silence the mind and transports the reader to the world of the Divine. It reiterates all that is said in the Indian scriptures about the superconcious realms and the bliss associated with it. The effect of Sri Ramakrishna movement took almost half a century or more for the efforts to bear fruit in this sacred land of bharat. What Om Swami with his superhuman effort does and what his disciples will do might have a faster effect on this country in this digital age! We have a superconcious being amidst us. This land should celebrate him and follow in his footstep to reclaim it's status as the spiritual beacon of the world. In my honest opinion this book should be made mandatory in all the schools which will raise the standard of the mindset of students in setting the bar so high which can be achieved with hard work and sternous effort. Om Swami's book and his method of sadhana can be taken up by anyone of any faith and if followed will lead to enlightenment of the seeker to his/her God or Deity!!! It's a master piece!!! Go for it and be filled with bliss and intoxication of the Divine! Jai Shri Hari!🙏🌷

Thank you for giving this spiritual treasure trove of a book to the world There are numerous books on Spirituality and On the life experience of great spiritual masters , leaders seekers etc Without blinking an eye , One can say with full conviction that this beautiful book of knowledge experience and practical wisdom , honest opinions and truthfulness gives hope to all us puny humans without sounding even a bit of preachy or condescending. I don’t know how the author / Spiritual Master can do this magic again and again with all his books. This book is a testament of a spiritual master sincere journey as a seeker with all his truth. The events described and the lessons shared gives us realistic insight into what one can expect seeking the Divine. The priceless directions from real experience and invaluable notes shared is like the North Star in the dark night. I am grateful for the generosity of knowledge shared showing us the way towards finding our truth in pursuit of the divine. I would recommend people to read both the books (if truth be told & thirteen months of Himalayas) together .Then one will be struck by the generosity of the master divulging that we who wants to walk the path of spirituality can hope with all our shortcomings to have a chance … to realise the Divine. These are gems in the ocean of knowledge. Get yours quick!

Reading Thirteen Months In The Himalayas: Chronicles of a Monk's Sadhana by Om Swami ji has been a transformative journey. This extraordinary book chronicles Om Swami's relentless commitment and unwavering dedication to seeking the divine Mother Goddess, Mata Tripursundari, amidst the serene yet challenging Himalayan landscape. The vivid and heartfelt narrative takes the reader through Om Swami's spiritual sadhana, illuminating the trials, sacrifices, and profound realizations he encountered during his 13-month retreat. His journey exemplifies the sheer power of faith and the depth of devotion required to achieve spiritual awakening. This book is more than a memoir—it is a beacon of hope and inspiration for those on the spiritual path. It beautifully demonstrates that with focus, perseverance, and grace, even the most arduous quests can lead to divine communion. For anyone yearning for a deeper connection with their inner self or seeking guidance on the spiritual journey, Thirteen Months In The Himalayas is a must-have. Its timeless wisdom and heartfelt reflections make it an invaluable companion for the soul. Om Swami's dedication is a shining example for spiritual seekers everywhere, and this book stands as a testament to the transformative power of sadhana.

Must read. Inspiring. Some additional recommendations :- Try reading:- 1) A million thought by Om Swami 2) Vijnana Bhairav Tantra by Swami Satyasanganand Saraswati 3) Karma by Sadhguru 4) Ancient Tantric Techniques of kriya and Yoga by Swami Satyanand Saraswati 5) Nine Principal Upnishads by Swami Satyanand Saraswati 6) Ashtavakra Geeta 7) Srimad Bhagavad Geeta, commentary by Adi Shankara by Geetapress

I've read several books by Om Swamiji, and this one exceeded my expectations. Swamiji's writing style is engaging, thought-provoking, and easy to understand. I found the storytelling, language, and spiritual insights to be amazing. This book shares Swamiji's meditation experiences in the Himalayas, where he attained a vision of God. He reveals details about his daily diet, memorization techniques, and the importance of reflection on God's names. I also appreciated the routines shared in the book and the truthful insights into overcoming bodily limitations. The book features experiences from Mother Divine, Gautam Buddha, and SriHari, which I found motivating. I also discovered the significance of Swamiji's unique Tilak. A key takeaway from the book is the importance of seizing opportunities, as life is uncertain and fleeting. This message resonated deeply with me. The content is truthful, informative, and inspiring. This book has impacted my life, changing my perspective on spirituality, God, and thoughts. I highly recommend it to genuine seekers of truth. The value this book offers far exceeds its price. I encourage everyone to read it, regardless of the cost. I also hope the publisher will encourage Om Swamiji to write more books on similar topics, as His thoughts are deeply respected.

Right now I finished 10 chapter of this and I'm enjoyed. Please read if you want to know about om Swami ji and their hurdles and challenges Swami ji faced in invoking of mantra sadhna and And how did he get the vision of Ma Lalita tripurasundari🙏♥️

A beautifully weitten book, feels very grounded with so much power. For people who follow Dakshinachara Sadhana & are serious about it, this is a fine manual to follow. A must read for every spiritual lifestyle aspirants.