This is a book on spirituality which talks about holistic living, meaning, being aware of the fact that we all are parts of a whole system, a whole idea, a whole reality, and that everything we say or do affects that reality? indeed, at some level, create it.
Written by an internationally acclaimed author, whose bestseller Conversations with God created waves, the book under review gives the message that when we live wholly, we live holy. Providing answers to all seekers of reality, it talks of what it is like to ?walk the path?. It also provides answers to questions like what does living a whole?and a holy in life ?look like?. Is there a way to live like that and also follow the messages of the great spiritual leaders and live it daily?
The tragedy of life is that we do not pay attention to the words of those who offer spiritual guidance, as a result of which we seem to have lost our way. ?The world has lost its way, forgetting that we have no more time to act lost. Time runs out for us all,? he says. Beginning by talking of his own personal experiences when he felt that his health had reached an all-time low and ?my body was falling apart? because of arthritis?a severe case of fibromyalgia?as also heart problem and stomach ulcers, the author takes to conversing with God and draws up certain conclusions.
He also finds that he is into relationships for all the wrong reasons. So long as he is on the receiving end, he is happy and when he stops receiving, he leaves the relationship. Some experiences in life make him institute a shift in his whole paradigm and understand that a relationship is the most important experience we can create for ourselves. It could be a relationship with a table, a glass of water and even with the circumstances and the events of our lives. And it is out of our relationship, which is entirely self-created, that our experience announces, declares, expresses, fulfils and tells who we really are. Once we understand the sacred place that any relationship holds in our experience, ?we hold the experience of the relationship as sacred indeed?not just in thought, not just in word, but in deed. And the deeds we do around relationships begin to change dramatically,? says the author. First point is that ?only what I see in you can I see in me,? and we see that, that is the raison d?etre of all our relationships, their very reason for being.
We give of ourselves to others in the fullest measure and allow ourselves the experience of a love that knows no condition. Thus living a holistic life involves purification of our thoughts, getting rid of negativity and ?living healthfully? and watching our diet?more than ever living from all of our chakra centres, from our whole part.
Finally, what one learns about life is that when we live wholly, we live holy. Holistic living means being aware that ?l am part of a whole system, a whole idea, a whole reality; indeed at some level I create it.? It is about becoming one with our God, with our environment, with our fellow travellers on their extraordinary journey and with our very own selves.?
(Jaico Publishing House, 121 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Mumbai-400 001.)
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