Varanasi: The district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma on Thursday released a Hindi book ‘Sri M Yatra Jari Hai’ (Sri M the Journey Continues) at a function organised by Satsang Foundation.
Sri M – spiritual guide, social reformer, educationist and author – was born Mumtaz Ali Khan, into a Muslim
family on November 6, 1949 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. His transformational journey, from a young
boy to a living yogi, is a story of single-minded discipline and dedication.
At the age of 19, irresistably drawn to the snow clad Himalayas, Sri M embarked on his journey to
seek a true Master. Maheshwarnath Babaji, a senior disciple of Sri Guru Babaji, took Sri M under his
tutelage and initiated him into the Nath tradition. For three and half years, Sri M lived and travelled
extensively through the Himalayas with his Master. What he learnt from Maheshwarnath Babaji
transformed his consciousness.
As instructed by his Guru, Sri M returned to the plains and lead a quiet, working family life while preparing
to teach all that he had learnt and experienced. A few years after his Master’s passing, Sri M received the
signal to commence his teaching mission.
Conversant with teachings of most major religions, Sri M’s teachings seek to transcend the outer-shell of
all religions by exploring the core and nurturing the innate goodness in every human being. In his words:
“Go to the core. Theories are of no use.”
Sri M’s autobiography, “Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master – A Yogi’s Autobiography” was published in
2011 and became an instant bestseller. A sequel, “The Journey Continues” was published in 2017. Sri M
has also authored several texts on the Upanishads, on Meditation, and a novel “Shunya”.
The Satsang Foundation – established by Sri M, is a meeting point for spiritual seekers of all persuasions.
The Foundation has projects in the areas of education, health and environment. It runs free schools in
Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh and Lathira in U.P., India, and a Yoga training centre – Bharat Yoga Vidya
Kendra. It also has a community health centre where it facilitates quality free treatment for the community
in Madanapalle. My Tree is an initiative which actively encourages planting of trees.
Sri M has also founded The Manav Ekta Mission. The Mission advocates that humanity is one —
transcending religious, racial, geographical, cultural and ideological differences. Walk of Hope led by Sri
M in 2015-16 for peace and harmony, was a 15 month-long padayatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir
spanning 7500 kms across 11 states of India.
In January 2020, Sri M was conferred one of the highest civilian awards of India, the Padma Bhushan, for
distinguished service of high order in spirituality.
Sri M is married and has two children. Based in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, a three-hour drive from
Bangalore, he leads a simple life. Appreciative of music, he also writes and paints in his leisure time.
