Churning of the Heart, Volume I: Introduction to Spiritual Life

Churning of the Heart, Volume One is the first American edition of a work originally published in India 1999. The author, Swami Shivom Tirth, heads several ashrams, or religious communities, in India, and one in rural New York. This work, the first volume of a three-volume set, describes Shivom's experiences as a young student of his guru, Swami Vishnu Tirth Maharaj. Sadhana Books will publish Volumes Two and Three in the Spring of 2002.

Introduction to the Spiritual Life, is drawn from Shivom Tirth's first-year as a resident of the ashram of Vishnu Tirth in Central India. During this period, in 1960, Shivom acted as Vishnu Tirth's personal assistant, accompanying him on daily walks each morning. This book records the content of their conversations. The format is in large part question and answer, as two great minds, young and old, disciple and teacher, explore the universal lessons of Hindu wisdom. Common experiences such as social conflicts and simple everyday decisions become the source of profound insights about the nature of reality. Shivom brings to the work a humble but determined curiosity, which lends to the discussions a simplicity and clarity that make them accessible to readers outside the Hindu tradition. Churning of the Heart is of particular interest to readers seeking authoritative information about the yogic tradition known as Shaktipat.

Shivom Tirth was born in 1924 in the village of Gujrat in what is now Pakistan. He had a deep interest in religion and a strong liking for spirituality from a young age. After earning an undergraduate degree at Lahore, he started leading a simple but highly ideal life. He and his family were affected by the partition of India, which compelled them to leave Lahore. He took a job in Punjabi but soon left and devoted himself to higher objectives and began searching for a competent teacher. After coming to know about Swami Vishnu Tirth, he sought his permission to join him. On receiving Swamiji's consent, Shivom bid farewell to his family and was initiated in 1959. Shivom, while attaining considerable spiritual elevation in the company of his Guru, dedicated himself to the maintenance and improvement of newly established spiritual retreat centers at Dewas and Rishikesh. Shivom was concurrently undertaking a deep study of all the important Hindu classics and scriptures. Vishnu Tirth was very much impressed and arranged for his student to in be in the company of many spiritual personalities and took him around to many important religious centers. In 1969, Shivom Tirth was designated by his Guru to succeed him. Since then, he has accomplished the task of kindling the fire of knowledge in different countries of the world, as his teacher had predicted. He holds among his following Hindus, Muslim, Sikhs, Christians, Jews, Chinese, and Japanese.

Previously published books by Shivom Tirth: Trek of Spirituality, 1995. A Guide to Shaktipat, 1980. Rays of Ancient Wisdom, Selected lectures, 2000. Shivom Vani: The Songs of Shivom, 2000.