Book Review: Stumbling Into Infinity

I have just finished reading ‘Stumbling into Infinity: An Ordinary Man in the Sphere of Enlightenment’ by Michael Fischman. The book is a memoir of the author’s spiritual journey and his intimate experiences with Gurudev H. H. Sri Sri Ravishankar. The author beautifully describes the various doubts that troubled his mind on the spiritual path and the learnings from every experience. It is a beautiful book full of Guru ji’s knowledge and wisdom. The author shares various incidents about his initial days on the spiritual path, lots of Guru stories and miraculous experiences.

Stumbling Into Infinity is the autobiographical account of the author Michael Fischman who is the son of a Holocaust survivor and grew up in an Orthodox Jewish household. As an adult, Michael gave up his successful career as a Madison Avenue advertising executive and through a mysterious turn of destiny, ended up as a friend,confidante and helper to the great humanitarian and spiritual leader H.H. Sri Sri Ravishankar. In the memoir, Michael talks about his inner fears & traumas, failed attractions, glimpses of knowledge and wisdom, a fight at Sri Sri's ashram and the love & devotion for the master.

After reading the book, I am filled with gratitude for my spiritual master. The struggles, the doubts, the fears, the ego which the author describes in the book- It seems that every devotee undergoes these stages on the path. Only faith on the spiritual master and unwavering devotion can help you keep going on the spiritual path. It was amazing to read how Gurudev helps Michael Fischman on his spiritual quest- sometimes with love, sometimes with guidance, sometimes with compassion and sometimes he even becomes strict & reprimands the author as the situation demands. But as Gurudev himself says that the anger of the enlightened is also a blessing. How fortunate the author is to have spent such time in Gurudev’s proximity!

The book made me reflect on my own spiritual journey and my association with my spiritual master. I feel myself to be blessed to have a Guru in my life- A Guru who has transformed millions of lives and is working endlessly with a single-minded focus towards his vision of a stress free and a violence free society.

The book is written in a simple language. The characters are real and so are the incidents. The book is a beautiful amalgamation of wisdom & knowledge with the doubts & fears on the spiritual path.

This book is a must read for all the sincere seekers. How the grace of the master can make you blossom spiritually is beautifully described in the book. If you have an unshakable faith in your spiritual master then rest assured because He will ultimately lead you to the divine. I will recommend this book to everyone who is interested in spirituality.

Rating: 3.5/5

Michael Fischman is the author of Stumbling Into Infinity: An Ordinary Man in the Sphere of Enlightenment and has won several awards for the U.S. Edition. He is also the founding member and former president of H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s U.S. Art of Living Foundation. He has been associated with Art of Living for more than 25 years. He alsoleads seminars, retreats, or training programs, and gives motivational talks on behalf of the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values.