Review  by Danny Senesael of 'Op zoek in India' by Rob van Dijk, Viveki, in 'Inzicht' - 2011
found at:- http://www.inzicht.org/boeken_2011

Google translation from:- http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=http://www.inzicht.org/boeken_2011&prev=/search%3Fq%3DDanny%2BSenesael%2Brob%2Bvan%2Bdijk%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D655


Looking in India 
Rob van Dijk 
ISBN 978-90-78555-09-4 300 pages
Publisher Viveki

The author Rob van Dijk is also next to a writer philosopher in Advaita Vedanta. He lived a long time in Lelystad and was closely involved in the School of Philosophy in Amsterdam. His search for truth and wisdom made him travel to India five times in the period from 1999 to 2003. In this book, Rob gives a description of these five trips. 
Around 800 AD. Advaita Vedanta was Adi Shankara India breathed new life. In his line of successors are the Shankaracharya's. Knowledge in the School of Philosophy was Shantananda Shri Saraswati. Upon the death of this great sage in 1996, the school became unbalanced. Any attempt by the school board to establish the successor Shantananda contact failed. The mission of Rob during his first trip to North India was to establish contact with the new Shankaracharya, so the power of knowledge to the school could get back on track. Contact A visit to the successor, Shri Saraswati Vasudevananda, proved more difficult than expected and came during the first trip out of the ground. During the second trip, he made an attempt to connect, but the trip took an unexpected turn. Although not looking for a guru, he found there a person in Dandi Swami Narayana Saraswati. This teacher lives in a little hut in Rishikesh, on the banks of the Ganges where once flourished the ashram Mahareshi Mahesh Yogi. 
During his fourth trip Rob went to Gangotri, where he has a vision of Shri Shantananda received during an enlightenment experience and received a mantra. During his fifth trip, finally, his guru sent him away because he could learn nothing and Rob went in search of the ashram Vasudevanananda. In Joshimath, on the throne with the portrait of Swarupananda, he underwent an emotional relief. After a search, he finally reached the ashram of Vasudevananda. He decided to meditate in the room with the pictures of the Shankaracharya's. Time ceased to exist. There was a peaceful silence. Rob came to the realization that this was his last trip to India. He decided to keep. Diary are no further His quest was over. 
Due to the different stories around you notice that the description is shifting from the Indian way of life to the inner experience of the writer. Finally, when everything falls into place, there is nothing more to say or write. Hence the author's diary no further tracking. Rob now lives in Bali, where he and his wife live in solitude on a high mountain. He spends his days meditating, writing books, study and reflection. 
The book reads smoothly and is compelling. It is illustrated with a series of small color photos. You are introduced to India as a 'free country', but in the hectic crowds, the pollution, the difficulty to change money, the pushy service providers, the crooks and pseudo-wise, it is very difficult for the wisdom and truth in India are available , can be found. If the book by Rob van Dijk points out somewhere, then this is it.

Danny Senesael