'Even if the words of a spiritual Master can be contained in books, paper books would never be enough for him. He is himself a living book, and he needs his disciples to become living books too. First of all, he writes on them; in their head and heart he sows the seeds of his Teaching in the hope that one day they will bear fruit throughout the world. So, the Master wrote a book which no one but he could have written: me. Yes, I am a book he wrote. 
The earth is so far from the sun! But the distance does not stop the sun from writing on the earth, and this writing is the stones, plants, animals and humans it gives its light, warmth and life to. Like the sun, the Master wrote on me from afar. He wrote thousands and thousands of pages, and they are now all brought together in the book that is me. Then, one day, he said to me, ‘Now, you are ready; you can leave.’

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov takes his place in the ranks of the great spiritual Masters of humanity. His kinship with those exalted beings is manifest in every aspect of his life. An incarnation such as his is like a great river bringing powerful currents from the higher planes of existence into this world. It transforms all that lies in its path and rejuvenates countless individuals, galvanizing them into leaving the backwaters and joining the mainstream of the servants of light.
Born in Bulgaria in 1900, the young Mikhaël experienced his first ecstasy at the age of fifteen, and for the next twenty years, while remaining firmly grounded in the everyday realities of life, he prepared himself for his mission by the tireless practice of arduous spiritual exercises.
In 1937 he moved to France, where he lived and taught for close on fifty years. By the time of his death in 1986, his teaching had a following of thousands throughout the world.
Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov’s teaching offers much precious counsel and many methods readily available to those seeking to live better, more fruitful lives: methods such as the yoga of the sun, which illuminates the soul and replenishes the physical energies; the yoga of nutrition, which contributes to physical and psychic health; beneficial ways of using one's powers of thought or the forces of nature.
This book is the first full-length biography of this great spiritual Master.
The author, who knew Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov during the last ten years of his life, has taken as her primary source the more than 5,000 talks he gave between 1938 and 1986. Her research led her, also, to several of the countries where he lived and taught, where she received testimonials and reminiscences from dozens of those who had known and loved him.
His personal radiance and his teaching have blazed a path of light for innumerable people throughout the world.

The Mystery of Light is the first book-length account of the life and teaching of the Bulgarian-born spiritual adept Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov (1900-1986), who was one of the twentieth century’s greatest luminaries of Western spirituality. He was a disciple of the saintly Peter Deunov (Beinsa Douno), modern Bulgaria’s most remarkable spiritual figure. In 1937, at the behest of his teacher, Aïvanhov moved to France where he taught the timeless secrets of a universal gnosticism for nearly a half century. This book holds great appeal for seekers both within and outside established spiritual traditions. 

Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned Yoga researcher and historian of religion with thirty books to his credit, including the award-winning The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga and the best-selling Living Yoga. He is also the founder-director of the Yoga Research Center and editor of Yoga World newsletter. 

‘In Georg Feuerstein’s wonderful presentation of a contemporary Master, I was deeply moved by Aïvanhov’s bodhisattvic simplicity, veracity, and good humor, and Feuerstein’s self-effacing clarifications where needed, that make this book a treasure trove for anyone open to the great wisdom traditions.’ 
— Frederick Franck, M.D., author of The Zen of Seeing and My Days with Albert Schweitzer 

‘The Mystery of Light is a vibrant narrative of Aïvanhov’s remarkable life and is sure to touch many of its readers at the “true depth” that was part of Aïvanhov’s prescription for living.’ 
— Stanley Krippner, Ph.D, professor of psychology, Saybrook Institute, author of Personal Mythology 

‘This book has a wide historical and cultural perspective and panorama on which Aïvanhov’s message is masterfully painted.’ 
— David Frawley, O.M.D., writing in Yoga Journal