Lighting the Lamp of Wisdom: A Week Inside a Yoga Ashram

by John Ittner

Book Overview

A friendly encounter with the spiritual life of three different ashrams, with a helpful glossary of the yoga and meditation practices encountered there. Part guidebook, part spiritual memoir, Ittner invites us to journey with him toward enlightenment.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1893361527
• ISBN13: 9781893361522
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Publishing
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.5" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A description true to life

I recently spent 10 days at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, CA. Seven days were with my husband and sons at their annual Family Week. Ittner's account of his ashram experiences and his explanations were an excellent preparation and guide for us. The book captures the Sivananda experience very well; the "boutique" at the Yoga Farm offers it alongside texts on meditation, Ayruvedic diet and other yogic topics. "Lighting the Lamp of Wisdom" is down-to-earth and personal, making the esoteric aspects of ashram life (which goes far beyond simply doing asanas) much more accessible. The ashram was a wonderfully enriching experience for our dual-professional, too-much-good-stuff family. We fully intend to return, hopefully on a annual basis. Our 4th-grader loved it (Mr. Skateboard Cool Guy) and wants to go to the Kids Camp next year. Talk about exposing your kids to a positive influence....

A Wonderfully Written, Informative Yet Entertaining Account

I recently finished reading this wonderful book by John Ittner and was pleasently surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The reason I say surprised is because I guess I was expecting it to be somewhat dry and merely descriptive. Instead what I found was that while it is very informative in terms of describing his experience with a couple ashrams run by Sivananda (along with some yogic philosophy as well), it also was full of personality. He definitely breaks through the stereotypes folks might have of the world inside an ashram. Many folks may relate the idea of an ashram with the image of Hari Krishna devotees w/ shaved heads dancing and chanting on street corners w/ little finger cymbals. Rather, Mr. Ittner sheds some much needed light into the down to earth workings of the ashram. He shows how the days are structured as well as how the participants help the ashram function through Karma Yoga work in addition to meditation, asana practice and other aspects of life at an ashram. It made me think very much how I would possibly consider taking a week at an ashram (the one in Jamaica sounded particularly inviting:) ) at some point in the future. Mr. Ittner writing is full of a real warmth as well as a sense of humor on this journey which we are invited to take with him. It's very conversational, much like having one friend share his experiences with another friend. A very worthwhile read! Namaste