Five Years, Eleven Months and a Lifetime of Unexpected Love: A Memoir

Bought by me as a birthday present for my husband, Visakha’s book Five Years, Eleven Months, a remarkable documentation of her spiritual blossoming from card carrying atheist to discerning believer and surrendered disciple, enthralled us both. Visakha’s personal story sheds light early on on the innate urge of the human child to seek answers to the existential questions of life, and the parched dilemma of the human being stranded in a desert of spiritual denial. We sat transfixed, my husband and I, as we read this account of how one in such a state of spiritual desiccation was blown drily on the hot Indian winds to the ancient spiritual village of Vrindavan, landing in close proximity to the person of His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and of the spiritual rain that began to fall on her gently, filling her out and waking her up to herself. Visakha’s story illustrates the complexities of spiritual awakening, both personal and inter-personal: the joy that may come from making gains in understanding; the pain that may be caused when understanding is incomplete; the joy of meeting; the pain of separation. Onward we go on the spiritual course that has been traversed by others before us, into the ripening of wisdom and love.

I absolutely love this book! Brilliant and so beautifully written for a newcomer like me as well as established devotees or for anyone else taking in interest in the Hare Krishna Movement. Excellent explanations of all of the terms so not assuming that we will all understand which can be a hazard of some of the books I have read. A wonderfully personal account of of the writer's transformation to Krishna Consciousness. I feel like I have really been able to get to know Srila Prabhupada on a more personal level. Great to read about the writers conflicting thoughts as I can fully understand the questioning of the self. Thank you for such a wonderful book which I know I will read time and time again.

I too was recommended this book so I thought I'd give it a go. It's a very open and honest book that follows a ladies path towards Krishna Consciousness. But is it the path She is meant to be on, are the teachings that are being put in front of Her really making sense, do I actually belong amongst the devotees or am I just kidding myself.......all these questions get answered whilst all through the book are some amazing photographs that give a visual feel of the journey. We all need inspiration sometimes and this does a great job of it.

I’m loving this book, a great story and whilst I’m not a follower of ISKCON, I do enjoy reading about spirituality and this book doesn’t disappoint. Recommended for anyone interest in finding a spiritual path

Brilliantly written and utterly uplifting. You can read this book over and again because it is packed with such profound realisations. If i need a friend, i pick up this book and feel fulfilled.