Introspective Astronomy is a collection of spiritual poetry derived from the author's personal quest for divine awakening via Advaita Vedanta teachings and enlightened teachers. Humor and whimsical observation provide colorful accent alongside the sometimes weighty offerings. The author is also a lifetime photographer. Many photos from his trips to India and the Mayan ruins of Mexico are interspersed throughout the book. Certain archeological sites seem to sing as cryptic hymns, especially through the esoteric language of the megaliths themselves. The work is meant to be an offering to others who seek to know the depth of our being so that they may more easily see the natural beauty that is our true Self. Spiritual teachers such as Nisargadatta Maharaj, Eckhart Tolle, Ramana Maharshi, Parmahansa Yogananda, Lahiri Mahasaya and Robert Adams as well as Vedic scriptures such as the Ashtavakra Gita and the Yoga Sutras have been highly influential to the content.
Marchan has been called to spend over 3 years of his life over 4 trips to India with the express purpose of meeting enlightened teachers and to glean all that the ancient culture has to offer the hungry soul. He was blessed to have found his guru, Shibendu Lahiri, in 2005 and credits him with pointing him toward the deep energy of understanding.
The poetry within is often freeform, never rigidly formatted, frequently relying upon connection rather than conjuring. The black and white photography augments the insights offered through written words by challenging the reader to observe the living world as a hypothetical or possibly superficial projection of a much more magnificent core which is ultimately understood to be the Self. The supposedly consensus world we find ourselves in can taunt a person into remaining in the false and limiting concept that one is the mind and body only. The myth of death haunts the individual and collective human psyche, thus magnetizing awareness to ego. The book is an invitation to the reader to fearlessly dive into the concurrent mystery of being which, through introspection, proves to be our wondrously nurturing and eternally familiar essence.
About the Author :
Chris Marchan was born in Ohio from Nothingness like every other so-called human as a pure and innocent being, conditioned to believe the legend that we are the mind and body. Tumbling randomly into a family indoctrinated into Catholicism caused him to inquire from where we have come. The deep and elusive mysteries of the Church were front and center in his mind throughout his lucid childhood. At the age of 8 Chris and his two brothers abruptly lost their father to a sudden illness. Schismatic changes in his life complicated the ontological equation that was running through him. Now he was also curious to know where a soul might go after death and what exactly is it that goes and comes? Chris soon rejected the inadequate explanations offered through his inherited religion. The pat inconsistencies and shallow hypocrisies were too much for his quizzical nature. There had to be something more meaningful beyond the dogma.
Around the age of 14 he started to write poetry and explore photography and thus began to document his quest. At the same time he had rejected all religion and blindly declared himself to be an atheist as a temporary place holder. Few adults could offer any insights into the burning questions arising within him.
His mother was an elementary school teacher and an artist who encouraged him to seek through books and the liberal arts. From an early age photography was the form of expression which called most directly to his resonate interaction with the ever unfolding world.
He decided to return to Catholic education for his high school years in order to take advantage of the mandatory daily religion classes so that he could grill the priests with his endless queries. After four years, the recognition of the futility of the exercise impressed upon him the necessity for autonomous study. College courses offered little indication for existential direction and so he then swapped his journalism studies for a change of scenery "out west" in Arizona. While there he explored the many trails and adventures found in the wilder parts of the deserts and mountains there. He sought employment in warehouses, factories and in the construction trades.
By the time he settled in Los Angeles years later, the opportunities for significant deepening had presented themselves as he discovered the spiritual underbelly of the city. At one point in a particularly trying time he issued an uncharacteristic and desperate ultimatum to any deity who would hear him. He instinctively demanded a guru, even though he barely understood the meaning of the term. Three weeks later he was surprised to find himself in fulfillment as he listened to the rapturous teachings of the Gnostic scholar Stephan Hoeller whose tutelage proved to be lengthy as well as revelatory and invaluable.
Chris imbibed many other teachers and teachings throughout Los Angeles over the 16 years spent there, including the blessing of a close friendship with Marilyn Ferguson, often referred to as the godmother of the New Age movement and author of "The Aquarian Conspiracy". After much arduous seeking, he serendipitously stumbled onto the book "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda. It rang more true than anything else he had ever found and sang harmoniously to his intuitive heart. Subsequently he soon took Kriya yoga initiation through Self Realization Fellowship and was compelled to seek such enlightened teachers in India as were showcased in Yogananda's book.
He committed himself to a full year sabbatical in the fall of 2001, to begin in the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh, made famous by the legendary Swami Shivananda. This turned out to be the most fruitful chapter yet while absorbing the depths of the Vedic teachings and yogic practices from many fellow seekers, sadhus and enlightened teachers.
Upon his return to Los Angeles, Chris was determined to get back to India in order to continue his in-depth spiritual immersion.Nearly two years later upon the eve of his return, he met his guru, Shibendu Lahiri, great grandson of the exalted yogi Lahiri Mahasaya, during his tour of the USA. Being naturally skeptical at first, Chris's ego was instantly slain with the first words he heard from the guru's bellowing chest, "YOU..... YOU'RE NOTHING!" He immediately took his second Kriya initiation, this time into the dynastic lineage.
In Varanasi he came to be very close with his guru, for whom he is eternally grateful. This sojourn in India lasted over two years. Chris has made two additional visits to India since that time and has synthesized the inspiration from his innumerable experiences through his ongoing writing and photography, not only to document, but to share this found grace with other fellow travelers along the supposed path of awakening.
He continually finds the writing process to be one of surrender to the voice of the higher Self; a form of meditation upon the source of truth and a recognition of the grace found in every single high and low that life can deliver, including the devastating loss of his father. A near death experience in 2021 clarified his focus and spawned a flourish of creative output. The practice of photography offers a centering function which compels the photographer to never leave the immediate moment. Residing in this moment is seen as an invitation to maintain awareness of the continuous connection with the Divine and the occasional break with the illusion of separateness which is the human condition.
1/29/25
2:49am
