Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shankarananda (Guruji)
grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and as a graduate of both
Columbia and New York universities began a promising
career in English literature at Indiana University. In the
late sixties, a dramatic turn of events profoundly altered
the direction of his life.

In 1970, he travelled to India in search of a great teacher
and a spiritual path. He practised Buddhist Vipassana
meditation with Master Goenka, and hatha and raja yoga
with Hari Dass Baba. He met a number of great sages,
including Neem Karoli Baba, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj,
and the holy mother Anandamayi Ma. His search
culminated at the feet of the powerful kundalini master
Baba Muktananda, with whom he studied for twelve years
and who initiated him into the Saraswati order of teaching
swamis. Ganeshpuri Days tells the story of Guruji's search
and of his intense spiritual practice and transformation in
Muktananda's ashram.

Over the past forty years, Guruji has headed ashrams in the
US and Australia, teaching meditation, the philosophy of
Kashmir Shaivism and his unique method of Self-inquiry,
the Shiva Process. In 2010, he was given the prestigious
title of mahamandaleshwar (great teacher) in recognition
of his international teaching work.

Guruji is the author of 'Happy for No Good Reason',
'Self-Inquiry: Using Your Awareness to Unblock Your Life',
'Consciousness Is Everything', 'Carrot in My Ear: Questions
and Answers on Living with Awareness', and 'Muktananda
Siddha Guru'.

In 1991, Guruji and his spiritual partner, Devi Ma,
established The Ashram Mount Eliza on the beautiful
Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne, Australia. He
teaches and lives with his students, guests and the ashram
Chow Chow, Shakti.