Urban Monk: Exploring Karma, Consciousness, and the Divine Paperback – July 9, 2013

Gadadhara Pandit Dasa has been my dear friend for about 10 years, thanks to the Bhagavad Gita discussion groups at Columbia University he has been hosting every Friday afternoon for several years. As a spiritual pilgrim with a sadhana (spiritual practice) more anchoring than my morning yerba mate or coffee, I was always open to exploring new avenues to widen my lens of understanding and perceiving the Divine.About 10 years ago, when I worked full-time as a Program Coordinator at Columbia as well as attended my graduate program at Columbia in the Teaching of English Language Arts, I became a regular at the Friday afternoon Gita groups, where kindred, spiritually receptive mates philosophized over delectable homemade blessed vegetarian dinner and dessert (prasadam), lovingly prepared by Pandit's family of Krishna-devotee, renunciate monks (Vaisnavas). Pandit facilitated these talks adeptly, with equal parts leadership, sagacious insight, and warm, welcoming, non-judgmental compassion. I loved the Gita discussion groups so much that I was always moved to clap fervently at the close of each one! I'm a rather effervescent and colorful little leprechaun and when I love something, no one is left wondering. The saturation of bhakti-radiance -- selfless service and gratitude for the unconditional love and beauty that pervades our pure and true forms as souls inhabiting human bodies -- was almost overwhelming each Friday, as the lively discussions of the Bhagavad Gita wound to a close. Pandit would gently weave and analyze that week's timelessly profound chapter of the "Songs of God" into intelligible, inspiring closing thoughts, leaving me wanting to hug everyone senseless since the truth at the heart of who we are is that overpoweringly beautiful and moving. Pandit was a flawless messenger of God; the embodiment of loving kindness and an altruistic Divine servant there for everyone who needed his counsel.And now, he has put this magical quality to work for us in a form that we can access absolutely any time we need an emotional fluffing of our feathers; a glass of spiritual warm milk; a pat on the back of encouragement; an unflinching friend on the line; a compass amid any tempest; or a match to our lantern's wick that we have blown out by accident, again and again, due to our own perceived limitations.Pandit shares his story of finding his way Home, to God, to our Eternal Parent who loves us as we have always dreamed of being loved. He reminds us that this Parent is always going to be there for us; there is nothing we need to do to earn God's love. And there is a vehicle available to anyone to purify ourselves so that we can shine in the glory of how rich this love is. In doing so we become grateful, selfless instruments who represent just how awesome our Divine natures really are.

If you've ever asked yourself how someone could ever choose the life of a monk for themselves, this book is sure to give you the insight.No it doesn't preach religion. It's very simply the life of one person, Gadadhara Pandit Dasa, told in a way that is both educational and humorous. It brings life and personality to a segment of the population that most would consider serious and isolated. It's a reminder that no matter the position in society, we are all just normal people.Personally, as someone who is religious but perhaps a bit lost, I found this book to be thought provoking in an unforced manner. There are lessons to be learned that can be applied to any religious background if you are open to it.

This young monk, Gadadhara Pandit Das Prabhu has written a refreshing straightforward account of his life that I highly recommend to all especially those of Indian descent growing up in the West. But all you are in search of answers to Life's questions will find herein solutions that can be easily applied in their own life.If I could add any suggestion to improve this book, it would be to add more references. As a disciple of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami who brought the timeless knowledge of ancient Vedas to the West and established Bhaktiyoga, I would have like to see references to his great work as done by H. H. Mukunda Goswami's "Miracle on Second Ave", H. H. Satsarupa Das Goswami's "Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita" and H. G. Srutikirti Das' "What is the Difficulty" because without Srila Prabhupada where would any of us be?!Thank you for your efforts and service to Sri Guru and Gouranga, begging to be your aspiring servant...Anavadyangi Dasi

The book is a great story about what really matters in life. It has a really good ending and moves quickly. You will not get tired waiting for the story to come together. If you have a desire to be a monk it is a must read!

What an adventure! I looked forward to reading this book every night. I had this notion that it must have been easy or "just who they are" for monks, spiritual teachers and the like, to find and follow their path. It was eye opening to learn that we all share uncertainty and need to dig deep to find the courage to listen to our heart and follow our path. I had the opportunity to meet Pandit earlier this year when he spoke at a yoga teacher training I was in. He gave a talk on karma, reincarnation, mantra meditation and led us in a brief mediation. If you ever have a chance to attend one of Pandit's talks, do it. Thank you Pandit for sharing your story.

This book was well written and in a style that is easy to understand. For those of us that have many questions about a Monk's life and Hinduism, this is certainly the book for you. It is truly written from the heart and fully detailed with a bit of humor. The spiritual wisdom that this book evoked made me ponder about my life and choices and what is truly important in life. I enjoyed taking a peek into this Urban Monk's life and seeing his growth into becoming a monk and incorporating the 21st century in the mix. This book was inspiring, intelligent and full of wisdom. I highly recommend this book, I assure you it will be hard to put down!

I downloaded this book because I am at a place in my life where the path I had previously followed wasn't working for me. I have been curious about other faiths, philosophies and religions for a long time now. Urban Monk is extremely thought provoking in a way that left me feeling that it is okay to be where I am right now and not to give up in my search for peace and wholeness. It is written without judgment on anyone or anything else, but rather presents an openess to all. I have read through the book once, but I am now going through it again to highlight passages that 'spoke' to me or challenged me.

Wonderful Read

Wife's drivel

I read this book from cover to cover (so to speak, as I bought the Kindle version) and even though English is not my mother tongue.I found many relevant presentations and philosophical points of the Hindu tradition, that can be useful to our spiritual quest, whatever is our religion. And the fact that the author also explains his own life, difficulties and questions on the way, as well as his realizations, etc. adds a lot to the quality of the book. I felt he is a gentle soul speaking from the heart.I just regret that there was not so much about his present experience as a chaplain. But maybe there will be another book for part 2 later on?