In the Light of the Self: Adi Shankara and the Yoga of Non-dualism

Beautifully written and interpreted! I highly recommend this tome as THE starting point for anyone interested in exploring the non-dual (Advaita Vedanta) teachings of Shankara. The depth and clarity of the young sage’s Understanding-Perception, coupled with the dazzling and flawless logic in which he couched his message, make Shankara virtually unparalleled as a spiritual scholar/teacher (along with being an Awakened Master). This is especially true given the turbulent era that he lived in, as well as the astoundingly tender age at which he began his travels and discourses. Everything expounded in the modern day non-duality movement is, primarily, based on these teachings (which, in turn, were derived from The Upanishads, The Brahma Sutras, and The Bhagavad Gita). While some who are alive today certainly articulate Advaita-based doctrine brilliantly (Rupert Spira, Francis Lucille, and Adyashanti immediately come to mind), none of them are necessarily any clearer or deeper than Shankara was. This makes his penetrating and profound insights into the Real Nature of Reality as relevant today as they were then, and Shearer’s book illustrates them pellucidly. Rather than reading through this quickly, my suggestion is to reflect deeply on these timeless pointers, which are designed to awaken one from the ego-mind’s illusory identity of/as an individual separate-self.

The font used is horrible. My rating is based on the fact that it is almost unreadable. I have never seen such a mess from a professionally published book. The author should request the book be typeset in a different font and better spacing.

Alistair--is a scholar who writes in a style that opens ones heart & mind !

This book has some minor typos / editing mistakes here and there but is a GEM! Read it. Sb

A creative and artistic presentation of Adi Shankara's life using his biography and commentaries in a series of affecting and simple vignettes that illustrate important principles of Advaita Vedanta with his own writings on the great scriptures of India.An aid to devotion and an inspiration to meditation.

What a treasure! This must be the greatest thing that Alistair has done. Superb translations of a huge selection of Shankara's teaching, in English that is not only wonderfully clear but also gives a modern lilt to Shankara's words. For those who have drunk from the Vedic Tradition, this has the same crystal clarity. BUT, do read it in short chunks. It is not a book to read through in one go, or even in several goes.

Sri Adi Shankara teaching and life are beautifully presented by Alistair Shearer. The subject matter is not only broken down into bite sized paragraphs and chapters but references to Vedic scriptures and texts are painstakingly indexed at the back. For me it presents complex idea in an easy to understand manner. Brilliant, I am looking forward to rereading it again.

A beautifully written book, which re-works the life and enduring legacy of India's epic saint 'Sri Adi Shankara', bringing it up to date for the 21st century. A book to dip into and to cherish, full of profound spiritual teachings.

initially daunting, but if one has an interest, persist you will be rewardedfrankly one experiences withdrawal symptoms as one nears the endbut it is long enough, at 453 pages, to start again

An absolute gem! Every page literally pulls you into the setting and the story! Beautifully written!!