Arun’s Insightful Explorations

  I just closed the final page of Hermann Hesse’s 1922 novel, Siddhartha and I am writing this while the emotions are still raw. To be completely honest, I picked up this slender book expecting a simple historical fable about ancient India. Instead, it felt like looking into a mirror. It left me questioning how I define success, how I handle failure and what it truly means to find peace in our chaotic, fast-paced world.

Have you ever felt a deep, unexplainable pull that there must be more to life than the standard script we are handed? That was exactly the question lingering in my mind before I picked up "The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami" by Radhanath Swami.

Some books entertain us for a few hours, while others quietly change the way we think long after we have turned the final page. For me, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho belongs to the second category. For a long time, this novel remained on my reading list. When I finally decided to read it, I expected a simple adventure story about a shepherd searching for treasure. Instead, I discovered a timeless story about dreams, courage, purpose and the choices that shape our lives.

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” ~ Dale Carnegie How to Win Friends and Influence People, published in 1947, became a best seller and is one of the most famous self-help books. Every day we communicate with different people - friends, family, partners, colleagues and strangers. Taking the time to learn some good social skills will go a long way in learning how to make friends and influence people.

“Everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in reality.” ~ Robin Sharma, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari Characters in the Book: Julian Mantle, a 56-year-old successful lawyer is the main character in the book. John is another main character who is Julian’s friend and was working as his intern before. Yogi Raman is the leader of the Sages of Sivana whom Julian met on his spiritual journey towards mystic India. Yogi Krishnan shows the direction for Julian’s spiritual journey towards Sivana.