Swami B.V. Tripurari has spent over 30 years as a Hindu monastic. Awarded the sannyasa order in 1975, Swami Tripurari has studied under several spiritual masters in the Gaudiya lineage, notably AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja. Called the 'Thomas Merton of the modern bhakti tradition,' Swami Tripurari is the author of several books, most recently "Bhagavad-Gita; Its Feeling and Philosophy" (March 2002).

His other books include "Aesthetic Vedanta: The Sacred Path of Passionate Love," "Rasa: Love Relationships in Transcendence," "Ancient Wisdom for Modern Ignorance," "Tattva-sandarbha: Sacred India's Philosophy of Ecstasy," "Joy of Self," and "Sri Guru Parampara."

When not travelling and teaching, Swami lives and writes at Audarya, a hermitage in Northern California. "Ask the Swami" is reprinted with permission of www.swami.org/sanga. Further information on Swami Tripurari and SANGA, as well as information on his books and CDs, can be found on his website: www.swami.org.