From belonging to the ground of being: Henri Le Saux's journey to the heart beyond conceptualisations

This paper examines the spiritual journey of Henri Le Saux (Swāmī Abhiṣiktānanda) and his apparent dual belonging between Christianity and Hinduism. Le Saux’s journal reveals his paradoxical success in remaining a bridge between two religious traditions, even as he failed to reconcile them intellectually. This failure is framed as his renowned success, reflecting his quest to move beyond conceptual boundaries and constructs towards abiding within the “ground of being,” echoing thinkers like Meister Eckhart. Situating Le Saux’s experiences within the broader contemporary phenomenon of dual belonging, the paper critiques the limitations of this approach, arguing that it stagnates within constructs rather than leading to the hrid (heart) of any spiritual experience. Ultimately, the paper explores how Le Saux transcended religious categories, pointing toward the raison d’être of religious experience: discovering one’s true self and unitive essence.