Leela's Gift

Book excerpt: High in the Himalayas, Leela, a New Yorker, unexpectedly undertakes a terrifying yet ultimately enlightening spiritual journey into the deepest secrets of her mind. In Darjeeling, at Maharishi's ashram, under the sure guidance of the yogi master, she reaches her great realization. On her return to New York she struggles, and ultimately succeeds, in sharing the secret teachings of her vision. The novel uncovers archetypal and highly relevant spiritual teachings. East meets West in Leela helping her as Maharishi says, "To understand ancient wisdom in a modern world." Meditation and yoga offer practical paths to freedom from the often dispiriting and desperate quality of our contemporary lives. In captivating prose the novel intertwines Leela's journey with modern philosophy and primal wisdom telling a story as old as the human heart.