My thoughts on Patrick Levy's book - Sadhus , going beyond the dreadlocks

Life: Just Existence or Something More?

Reflections on Patrick Levy’s Sadhus: Going Beyond the Dreadlocks

(Tamil Translation: துறவி by Sathyananthan)

"You are not the body, you are not bound; you are forever free, you are awareness itself."

ASHTAVAKRA SAMHITHA

This early dawn,

A spark flashed in my mind

As I read a book on hermits.

Oh, why do we exist?

Is it just for the sake of it?

Isn’t there more?

To truly be alive is basic;

Knowing the inner conscious core is next.

Becoming spiritually aware,

With a perpetual focus on that state of mind,

And realizing the oneness of the soul—

That supreme energy that drives us all.

Is knowing this enough?

Delving deeper and deeper,

There comes a point

Where thoughts merge

And the state of the True Self dawns.

There is no looking back then as we integrate;

An assimilation of the soul happens,

Fusing the psychic and emotional into oneness.

The spiritual purpose is realized,

The cycle of life becomes complete.

Going beyond birth and death,

We reach the point where we started,

Becoming a spectator as the journey of life unfolds 

before us.

A Journey into the Heart of Asceticism

These were the thoughts that came to mind as I began reading the translated work துறவி, written by Patrick Levy and translated by Sathyananthan. I have always had a fascination with sadhus and saints, and I am sharing here the noteworthy points from Levy’s wonderful Himalayan journey.

Understanding Maya and the Ultimate Truth

Levy provides a profound perspective on Maya. Contrary to the common misconception that it means the world is a literal hallucination, Levy explains that ignorance is Maya. The belief in "separateness" is the true illusion.

Advaita: It does not say the universe is false; it says the thought that you are separate from it is the falsehood.

Sat-Chit-Ananda: Levy breaks this down as Sat (Being), Chit (Awareness), and Ananda (Higher Consciousness/Bliss).

Oneness: The ultimate truth is Unity. As a Baba in Haridwar told the author: "One plus one equals one. We cannot merely know this; we must realize it."

Cultural Archetypes: The Indian Hero

The book makes an interesting cultural comparison regarding heroes:

Greeks see their "superman" in the form of an athlete.

Americans imagine a "flying man" who ensures justice.

Indians imagine their hero as a Sadhu.

Levy humorously notes that if there were an Olympic medal for "remaining perfectly still," India would win gold every time.

Observations on the Sadhu Life

Cannabis/Ganja: The author discusses its use in spiritual practices but notes it is a specific tool for ascetics and not applicable to commoners.

The Naga Tradition: The book touches upon the extreme physical penance of the Naga Babas, specifically practices involving the destruction of the nervous system to transcend physical desire.

Stillness: Practicing stillness gives one a unique understanding of the nature of movement.

Blissful Laziness: In Varanasi, Levy finds many—including Westerners—indulging in a state of "blissful laziness."

A Note on the Translation

While the book is excellent, I noticed a few technical errors. Swami Vidyaranya is incorrectly referred to as Vidyanandar, and his famous philosophical work, the Panchadasi, is noted as Pankadasi.

Final Impression

Patrick Levy, a declared atheist, attempts to live the life of a monk without a specific "aim," seeking only the experience itself. Reading this book is less like reading a manual and more like taking a spiritual journey alongside the author. No one else seems to enjoy the life of a "beggar" quite as much as Levy did while roaming with the Sadhus.

I read this book twice to grasp the nuances of the points discussed. Anyone with an interest in spiritual matters will surely enjoy this work.

        ************************************