Product Description

This powerful memoir tells the story of a Greek youth who, out of a desire to know the truth empirically, began to experiment in yoga, hypnotism, and various occult techniques. Eventually drawn back to the Faith of his forefathers Orthodox Christianity he visited the ancient monastic republic of Mount Athos in his native Greece, where he was brought to a knowledge of the Truth of Jesus Christ by the saintly Elder Paisios (1924 1994). Nevertheless, believing he had only found part of the truth on the Holy Mountain, he chose to give the same opportunity to Hindu yogis that he had given to Elder Paisios and other Orthodox monks. Thus, at the age of twenty-five, he embarked on a trip to India, where he undertook his search in the ashrams of three famous gurus, one of whom was worshipped as a god. His experiences in India, along with his subsequent encounters with Elder Paisios on Mount Athos, are recounted in the present book in vivid detail. Popular in Greece since its first publication there in 2001, The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios is a page-turning narrative of both outward adventures and inward struggles. What stands out most in this book, however, is the radiant image of Elder Paisios, possessed of divine gifts, laboring in prayer for his fellow man, and overflowing with unconditional love. Through this, one sees the uncreated Source of the elder s love and of the author s spiritual transformation: the true God-man Jesus Christ, Who honors man s personal freedom while drawing him, through love, into everlasting union with Himself.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #127411 in Books
• Published on: 2008-12-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Review
This book, written by a man dear to my heart, describes events he has personally experienced.… I too can testify to what he has written, because I was an eyewitness to many of the events that he describes: since I lived on the Holy Mountain at that time, I played a part in the development of his relationship with the righteous Elder Paisios.… Seeing the benefit that so many have received from this book, I truly rejoice and bless the name of God, Who made us worthy to see firsthand this saint of our days, Elder Paisios --Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol, Cyprus

Customer Reviews

The BEST book about Elder Paisios available in English
Not only is the best book in English about Elder Paisios, it is one of the best books regarding Orthodoxy that I have ever read. To any Orthodox Christian or anyone even slightly interested in the Faith, this book is a must, for many reasons.

First, I should mention that the title of the book may cause one to second-guess any recommendation; it is not exactly a gripping, poetic, or profound eye-catcher. However, this is easily passed over once the book is begun.

This non-fiction book is the spiritual autobiography of Dionysios Farasiotis (a pseudonym), a young man in Greece who is very interested in spirituality. He dabbles in hypnotism and paganism before becoming enthralled with Hinduism. This latter infatuation, however, is constantly being questioned by the religious heritage in Greece of Orthodox Christianity. Thus, the author embarks on a trip to India for 6 months (even meeting a man worshipped as a god-incarnate), a visit sandwiched by the author's experiences with the contemporary saint of Mount Athos, Elder Paisios.

The book is structured with an introduction to the former spiritual interests of the author, his first encounters with Elder Paisios, a long account of his trip to India, the latter meetings with the Elder, and a last section dedicated to explaining some aspects of Orthodox worship. Among the encounters with Elder Paisios, there is also mention of a brief meeting with another famous Orthodox elder, Elder Porphyrios, as well as mentions of a couple other holy figures. The book is loaded with great pictures of both people and scenery. Though being 300 pages, it is such a smooth, interesting read, I finished it in less than a week (just before finals at graduate school!) It is a beautiful read, both for its prose and its mystical content.

The author speaks, at one point, with Elder Paisios about his confusion at having so many mystical experiences - both Orthodox and non - throughout his life, and they certainly are an unusual amount. One of the benefits of his many encounters with spiritual realities, however, is that the reader obtains a clear idea of how similar the miracles of different cults and faiths look while originating, from the perspective of spiritual realities, from opposite sources.

These experiences are amazing to read about, and the author clearly gained a great deal of clarity (a clarity he expresses well in writing) after living them in a very spiritually confused state. This confusion and questioning makes the read all the better, for the reader is able to see the author's progress, and he is forced to explain much that might mislead or confuse some.

Though all of the miraculous events are interesting, however, it is the author's encounters with the holy Elder Paisios that make the book so wonderful. While I have read other accounts of meetings with Elder Paisios, Farasiotis' book makes them so real before the face of the reader. The Elder's famous childlike humility and Christ-like love are so moving, so inspiring, and so refreshing, this book is almost destined to become an Orthodox classic. This is how man was intended to be; this is man in his real state, his normal existence. This is man in communion with God.

We see today so much of a "whatever makes you happy" spirituality, an "Oprah" approach to religion rather than God-pleasing/induced sanctity in Truth. This book speaks directly to why something which seems so attractive and is so desirable on the outside is actually a darkness opposed to the Light.

It is this great amount of refreshing, true spirituality, embodied in Elder Paisios, which make the book such an incredible account. Elder Paisios is a wonderworker, prophet, and apostle for our times, and this book places him right in front of us, beaming with simplicity and love. This book may not be an extensive biography of the figure, but it places him before us as if he were really there. I place this book easily in the top 3 books that I have ever read - maybe even at #1 - without hesitation.

(If you have trouble finding the book, search St. Herman's, the publisher's, site)

An enthralling read, couldn't put it down
I have lived this book. By that, I mean that I also eschewed Christianity for a period of time in my youth and went to India, lived in ashrams for 7 years, and worshiped a guru who was later unmasked as a sexual predator, among other things. I was totally absorbed by the author's accounts of the spirituality he encountered in India, including his confusion over finding the right path, and most of all his relationship with that great elder and modern saint, Paisios. In my own path back to salvation, and subsequent immersion in the Eastern Christian tradition, I have so often wondered about the seemingly spiritually powerful gurus, swamis, and other I met in India and while living in ashrams in the States. This book has helped reveal to me so much about that path. After reading it, I have gone through all my belonging to remove any old pictures, relics, 'sacred ash' and all other items I had hanging around from those days, cleaning my space to make room for what is real and of God. So for anyone who has ever been immersed in a cult, no matter how seemingly benevolent it may have seemed, this book is truly transformative. I have been waiting for someone to write about these matters. Thank you to the author for this profound sharing.

The book
I just finished this book and was inspired by it deeply. It was a quick read but it tackled the most important questions we ask ourselves in life. I was especially drawn to the book because I had heard so many wonderful things about Elder Paisios since I was young from many holy people. Being an Orthodox Christian and having visited the Holy Mountain also made it easy for me to believe that the author experienced so many miracles and supernatural phenomena. The fact that Elder Paisios gave the author his blessing for writing the book is also significant, thereby allowing his credibility as a modern day saint to inspire others and draw them closer to Christ. A must read for long standing Orthodox Christians and converts alike.