A new work of spiritual fiction by
Dr. Shankar Subramaniam
ABOUT THE AUDIOBOOK
When a vision paralyzes his body and threatens to destroy everything he loves, a scientist must climb a sacred peak to reclaim his life slipping through his hands, before his children lose their father and his career and reputation are ruined by the inexplicable. Thus begins Jiva’s journey through the ancient teachings of advaita vedanta, tantra, and yoga, told through his lived experience of a seeker’s transformation. Like the original Upanishads, which weave philosophical truth into story and dialogue, this book carries its wisdom through narrative: the protagonist Jiva’s journey illustrates the teaching. The Seven Steps, each an aphorism from advaita philosophy, are elucidated through short reflective passages and form the skeleton on which the story is built— but the meat of the book is the fiction.
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Narrator info: Narrated by the author Dr. Shankar Subramaniam
Estimated listening time: 8 hours, audiobook sample
“There is such a welcome honesty in these pages... We press our palms together to commend Dr. Subramaniam for giving us a tale that is spiritually rich and intellectually engaging.”
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From the foreword by Paramacharya Sadasivanatha Palaniswami, Kauai Hindu Monastery
An eccentric scientist. An inexplicable vision. His last chance to save everything he loves.
Jiva’s life as a research scientist is governed by logic and intellect. But when an unexpected spiritual vision paralyzes his body, his world comes apart. With his career on the brink and his children on the verge of losing their father, Jiva must venture into the uncomfortable mystical unknown. Ascending a sacred peak is his last chance to get answers and find a permanent cure before his life and reputation are ruined by the inexplicable.
What follows is an extraordinary journey into the heart of ancient wisdom. As Jiva ascends through his spiritual journey, his struggle transforms into a lived experience of Advaita Vedanta, Tantra, and Yoga. Guided by seven profound philosophical aphorisms, he is forced to move beyond mere intellect, through raw intuition, and into ultimate spiritual experience.
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Woven in the Upanishadic tradition of ancient dialogues where sacred truth is revealed through human experience, The Seven Steps to Bliss: A Modern Upanishad is a gripping work of spiritual fiction. Perfect for fans of Siddhartha and The Alchemist, this transformative novel invites you to step onto the path, face the mountain within, and discover your philosophy of living truth.
An eccentric scientist. An inexplicable vision. His last chance to save everything he loves.
Jiva’s life as a research scientist is governed by logic and intellect. But when an unexpected spiritual vision paralyzes his body, his world comes apart. With his career on the brink and his children on the verge of losing their father, Jiva must venture into the uncomfortable mystical unknown. Ascending a sacred peak is his last chance to get answers and find a permanent cure before his life and reputation are ruined by the inexplicable.
What follows is an extraordinary journey into the heart of ancient wisdom. As Jiva ascends through his spiritual journey, his struggle transforms into a lived experience of Advaita Vedanta, Tantra, and Yoga. Guided by seven profound philosophical aphorisms, he is forced to move beyond mere intellect, through raw intuition, and into ultimate spiritual experience.
​
Woven in the Upanishadic tradition of ancient dialogues where sacred truth is revealed through human experience, The Seven Steps to Bliss: A Modern Upanishad is a gripping work of spiritual fiction. Perfect for fans of Siddhartha and The Alchemist, this transformative novel invites you to step onto the path, face the mountain within, and discover your philosophy of living truth.
Nikil Selvam,
Beta Reader
I've read the first four steps and I'm really enjoying the journey so far! The book is both incredibly
enjoyable and insightful, which makes it such a joy to engage with. There is such wisdom here that is
just starting to seep into me. I know that I will revisit it multiple times.
Mukhunth Raghavan
Beta Reader
I’m really enjoying the second person narrative and the shifts between fiction and exposition. This is really beautifully written!
Mukhunth Raghavan
Beta Reader
I am really enjoying it, it is unputdownable! I am excited to keep reading and find out what is next
and what "I" discover! Unrelated, but the second person and metaphysical narrative reminds me of
Goosebumps choose your own adventure books I used to love reading, and were also
unputdownable. I haven't read fiction in a while and this is truly refreshing and also enlightening.
Paramacharya Sadasivanatha Palaniswami, Kauai Hindu Monastery
The book is a delight (thank you for trusting me with it), and your sharing of profound
dharmic/mystic teachings in the form of enchanting tales is so engaging (bet you can’t read just
one!)
Paramacharya Sadasivanatha Palaniswami, Kauai Hindu Monastery
You have crafted a worthy transmission of well-earned spiritual insights. It has genuinely charmed me.
Prologue
It’s another unremarkable spring afternoon in your reclusive, humdrum existence; the kind that doesn’t betray a hint of the imminent cracks that will soon shatter your reality. The backyard is still blanketed with snow; rabbit tracks being the only telltale signs of life outside. Here in the Midwest, it could be another month before the last snowfall of the season. With fieldwork paused, you don’t have to go to the agricultural research station today, so you have the luxury of working from home.
Book-Related Downloads
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Companion Workbook (Free Preview) -- Coming soon!
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