Aghora: At the Left Hand of God by Robert E. Svoboda

The author, who is the student and disciple of Aghori Vimalananda, has written the book based on the words of Vimalananda himself. The book defines an Aghori as one who practises a form of extreme spiritual discipline called Aghora. It is a form of Tantra. Tantra is a style of religious ritual and meditation that arose in India around the fifth century C.E. According to Tantra, the supreme deity is the Mother Goddess. The author writes about Vimalananda's philosophy and events from his life. He has quoted highlights from Vimalananda’s spiritual practices. According to the author, Vimalananda considered Aghora to be an internal process. This process removes all restrictions to the human faculties of perception that are commonly accepted. He further states that an Aghori is not bound by earthly shackles. He is above everything that shapes the universe. An Aghori consumes some kind of intoxicant to remain in a state of intoxication of supreme love emanating from deep inside his heart. In this state, he is one with his beloved deity, and he is supposed to have emerged from darkness and attained divine enlightenment. The book is both shocking as well as comforting. The author has made it as an offering to his Guru. He has tried to clear the mysteries surrounding Vimalananda. In the book, Vimalananda advises the readers not to blindly follow what is given in the book or believe what he says. He wants every one to try, test it, and experience it themselves before believing what he says.