The Perfume of Silence

From the foreword by Rupert Spira: “This book is taken from dialogues with Francis Lucille in America, Canada, and Europe, between 1997 and 2002, but these meetings were not about asking questions and receiving answers and nor is this book. It has nothing to do with the exchange of concepts or with agreeing or disagreeing. If we find ourselves comparing, judging, and analyzing, we have missed the point, we have not yet been undressed. Rather it is a movement from openness to openness. This is the relationship between the student and the teacher. It is a dance that goes nowhere. We formulate questions out of this openness and they are dissolved again into this openness. It is a divine play in which openness reveals itself to itself moment by moment. The steps of this dance are sometimes fast and sometimes slow, sometimes gentle and sometimes austere, sometimes complex and sometimes simple, sometimes intellectual and sometimes heartfelt, sometimes long and sometimes short, but it is always the same dance.”Francis is an internationally respected non-duality teacher. He was a student of the distinguished European Advaita Vedanta teacher, Jean Klein, and the teacher of another prominent modern-day non-duality educator, Rupert Spira. For those wishing to see him in person, Francis and his wife Laura host periodic satsangs and retreats in their beautiful Temecula, California home. Including this one, Francis has published three exceptional books, and many of his talks may be found on YouTube as well. I highly recommend Francis’ books (as well as the work of UK based Rupert Spira) to anyone drawn to the “Direct Path” of non-dual based wisdom.

This is a great book for those who are familiar with non dual and direct path teachings. It is set up in a Q and A format similar to other books from Ramana Maharshi, Jean Klein, and Nisargadatta Maharaj and does not waste time diving in. There is no exposition or introduction to the teachings which makes it not a great choice for those new to the subject matter however, for those who have read other material or participated in self-inquiry, this book clears up the majority of questions one would have. Francis Lucille’s choice of words are very clear and point directly to our true nature. Some prerequisite knowledge of some Advaitin terms might be necessary in some areas as well. I recommend this book a lot.

It’s the book that I have been wanting to read without knowing that it was ever there! Absolute Truth. Resonated with each page of the book. Highly recommend it. Thank you Francis and Rupert.

This book invites us to our source, to the essence of what we truly are. The silence, love. Thanks Francis!

I downloaded the Kindle version of Francis' book having read some of his other works and I must say that I wasn't expecting the level of potent discourse that's found in this little tome. The answers are beyond candid. They can really only be described as perfectly crafted for the questions asked. Truth replying to Truth. And it resonates in a way that most of the written words on Truth do not. I suppose that's a reflection of how deep-rooted Lucille is in his realization. Just 10 minutes a day and I'm drawn right back into the happiness that I am. It's like having a beautiful sunrise, a rainbow and a waterfall all at your fingertips. I assume based on the initials that Rupert Spira wrote the foreword and if you've read his masterpiece: The Transparency of Things it's clear that Francis emits the Truth like no other beacon around. Thank you Francis, Rupert, Jean, Sri Atmananda, and the rest of the line. My life is forever changed.

I have the opportunity of meeting Francis on weekends. It is a delight. The messages are simple, insightful, and he talks from his level of experience. What more can be said. When I read this book I hear it from Francis' own lips.I am fortunate. Somehow or another ( Abhinavagupa-ji's words used) I have come across the gem of a person.

Eloquently expounded with very helpful examples, this book on non-dualism (Advaita), is for anyone searching for meaning in life. The author focuses considerably on his rather unique angle of welcoming (acceptance) of all, but especially our feelings. His discussion of boredom is extremely helpful.

I enjoyed this book because it seemed self revelatory and memorizing. As Francis often says it was not so much the mind knowing but that which was reading the words that understood what was being said. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest and the interest will invite them.

I was anticipating a book similar to Rupert Spira’s work, The Nature of Consciousness but unfortunately it’s not as coherent, well written or concise as Rupert’s works. But this isn’t a book that was written by Francis Lucille as such, it’s a collection of answers to questions that have been posed to him over the years. Lucille himself is brilliant, knowledgeable and engaging when you listen to him on YouTube but I wished I’d known the format of this book before I ordered it, I wouldn’t have done so. The forward is by Rupert Spira and it’s lovely and the rest does have some nuggets of gold, but for me it’s not a study book but a book to dip into at random……just couldn’t read it as one.

Beautiful book. Very insightful, very practical and accessible, very "resonant" for this particular reader. Putting into words that which can't be put into words perhaps - like poetry. Definitely up there with the most useful and respected non-dual publications IMHO. Highly recommended.

Open any page - any page- to find pointers to the Truth..That which is beyond words or concepts. Advaita

For those who respond to the written word.

A must for anyone seeking a direct path to the truth of who we are, Francis delivers his teaching in a style most readers will understand