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cartwheels in a sari a memoir of growing up cult
in this colorful eye opening memoir jayanti tamm offers an unforgettable glimpse into the hidden world of growing up cult in mainstream america . through jayantis fascinating story the first book to chronicle sri chinmoy she unmasks a leader who convinces thousands of disciples to follow him scores of nations to dedicate monuments to him and throngs of celebrities sting pope john paul ii nelson mandela to extol him . br when the short bald man in flowing robes prophesizes jayanti to be the chosen one her life is forever entwined with the charismatic guru sri chinmoy who declares himself a living god . a god who performs sit ups and push ups in front of thousands as holy ritual protects himself with a platoon of bodyguards and bans books tv and sex . jayantis unusual and increasingly bizarre childhood is spent shuttling between the ashram in queens new york and her familys outpost as connecticut missionaries . on the path to enlightenment decreed by guru jayanti scrubs animal cages in his illegal basement zoo cheerleads as he weight lifts an elephant in her front yard and trails him around the world as he pursues celebrities such as princess diana and mother teresa . br but when her need for enlightenment is derailed by her need for boys jayanti risks losing everything that she has ever known including the person that she was ordained to be . with tenderness insight and humor jayanti explores the triumphs and trauma of an insider who longs to be an outsider her hard won decision to finally break free and the unique challenges she confronts as she builds a new life .
hardcover harmony 2009 isbn13 9780307393920 isbn10 0307393925
abridged n isbn 13 9780307393920 number in series 1 number of pages 304 publisher random house inc release date 1239667200000