Book Review - Messages from Water and the Universe by Masuru Emoto

Book Review      

 

Books Name - #Messages from Water and the Universe
Author - #Masuru Emoto

Language – English and Japanese

Genre – Non-fictional, self - help, spirituality  

Publication Date:  July 2010

Media type – print and e- book

Pages – 122

Price – Rs. 499 /-

About the author –

Born - 22 July 1943, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Died -17 October 2014, Tokyo, Japan

Spouse - Kazuko Emoto

Education: Yokohama City University

Masuru Emoto is a globally renowned Japanese researcher who has gained worldwide admiration. Emoto is a graduate of the Yokohama Municipal University's department of humanities and sciences with a focus on international relations, and he received certification as a Doctor of Alternative Medicine from the Open International University. Masaru Emoto has written many books, including the New York Times bestseller The Hidden Messages in Water, and his books have been published in twenty-four languages. He has written more than 15 books on this topic.

Summary

The book is divided into three chapters followed by conclusion

Chapter I – #Water is the messenger of God’s Will

In this chapter the author explains how water takes the role of god’s messenger by bridging the gap between the worlds. In detail he also explains how the world is born out of vibrations and how each creation maintains a certain frequency. This all is beautifully explained in a scientific way with the help of quantum physics.

He then goes on to explain human relations in terms of resonances. He explains how in human relations as well as in nature the combination of two different sounds that don’t resonate will move towards destruction – the opposite of creation.  He firmly believes that God used only good vibrations to create earth. He combined vibrations with creative energy to express his intentions and creativity and the mediator is water, as water is the only thing that can transfer vibrations. God created water to carry out his plan for the world and within the center of the plans are two important energies – love and gratitude.

He also discusses the experiment he conducted by forming beautiful crystals that he calls the crystals of love and gratitude. Emoto, in his research has visually captured the structure of water at the moment of freezing, and through high-speed photography he has shown the direct consequences of destructive thoughts and the thoughts of love and appreciation on the formation of water crystals. He has tried to show how our thoughts can influence water. Water has profound implications for our health and the well-being of the planet.

Chapter 2 – #How does water store and transfer information?

When you speak words of love and peace and serenity to water it makes incredible designs, and when you use dissonant language like anger or hate, the crystals deform and make scattered, ugly, and misshapen forms. Water is energy and 70 percent of our bodies are water. The power of water is a power untapped in us. Imagine the power we have if only we could collectively apply this wisdom that has been within our grasp all along. What would happen if we use this powers for the well-being of earth. He explains how our prayers, goodwill, and positive words heal us humans-as well as viruses and the universe as a whole-through water. Dr. Emoto explains that the fact that water has lost its true form shows that our way of living has moved away from God's will, so we should be aware of our Creator's alert to "correct the way we are living now." 

He explains how added chlorine to water has affected our bodies. He further explains how the typical problem of old age - memory loss and confusion - may be caused by the decrease of water within our body, as water retains information. He also points out how tap water can be linked to cancer. He says that cancer cells attack healthy cells, and kill them. That destructive energy is magnified by the chlorine found in our tap water. At the same time, he feels it represents our egoistical, selfish way of life. He had performed many experiments in the regard and few are demonstrated there in this chapter. Here he shares the experience from the second purification experiment, which took place at lake Biwa. After prayers by large group of people the harmful odour from the lake soon disappeared, the experiment was also reported in various newspapers.

Chapter 3 – #The Spiritual power and possibilities of water.

In this chapter, the writer says that we should acknowledge and explore the potential of water, and if this happens humankind will be saved; and each of us will become stronger, happier and more content.

He also believes and discusses how the key to the future is the activation of DNA. If we can tap into 100% of our DNA, we can utilize all the potential that God has given us.

Conclusion – #Improving immunity with the energy of love and gratitude

Emoto concludes that if the heart is filled with energy of love and gratitude, we will not be in danger because that powerful energy is the immunity that God has given us.

Critical evaluation

#Masuru Emoto's name has become synonymous with water and the memory and sensitivity of water. He is considered as a pioneer in the field that Science has only recently began to address. He began his discovery into the mystery of water as he learned the concept of micro-cluster and Magnetic Resonance Analysis technology. Masuru Emoto's 15 extensive years of study on water has given him the background to discuss what water is, how it has been implicated in the creation of the universe, and why a perfect ratio of Love and Gratitude can help this energy go on infinitely.

The book takes the readers on a quest to understand how vibrations of words shape everything from water to our health and life experience. The book is divided into three chapters and the last chapter is the conclusion. The book has been published by Hay House USA. The book has been translated into 45 Languages and three million copies have been sold.

The book is written in an easy language and is demonstrated with numerous photo collections of water crystals. The book is also an eye-opener about how our thoughts, words and deeds affect water. Emoto has used 15 years of photographic research to prove his theory that we are intimately connected to water.  The book gives our minds the reason to accept what our heart spontaneously knows. The author’s experimental and philosophical and personal intuition offers the readers a novel and thought-provoking look into the conscious use of words and intentions and how they affect our world. The information in this book is an important step in revealing how we can modify our way of living to bring about true peace on earth.

My view

 I found this book to be a fascinating book. Being a healer myself, this book was not just a presentation of factual information, but it really got through me, and truly made me think of water in a different scenario. After having read this book I feel truly enlightened. The book contains a good number of photographs of water droplets exposed in different conditions, that makes the book very attractive and conspicuous. The book is very proactive, stimulating, and based on scientific research and a must read for all.

Energizing ecocentric culture through Shivyog practice- An ecocentric Indian experience .

Energizing ecocentric culture through Shivyog practice- 

An ecocentric Indian experience .

Abstract - Indian civilization as such is one of the most ancient and sustainable civilization of the world. Different religion, communities, ethnic groups and sets of India have their own unique eco centric approach. In this paper, my area of discussion is about Shivyog and how it can heal the earth that has already been damaged by various kinds of pollution. For my observation and conclusion I depend on my understanding of Avdhot Baba Shivananandji’s teachings from various Shibirs that I have attended, talks with other Shivyogi’s as they share their experience and videos of Babaji and Ishanji. Babaji tells all shadaks and healers to give lots of unconditional love to all living beings on this earth. We are aware about the fact that for the last many years, humans have been exploring as well as exploiting nature in various ways. We have given many unwanted , unasked and unquestioned blows to mother nature, but now it’s high time that we join the healing powers and process and try to rectify it by positive work. Good karam, sadhan, nishkam seva and  jap (mantra recitations) are the four ways of doing good deeds and also the way to repay mother nature and create a ecocentric culture.

Key words - # ecocentric Indian experience, # Shivyog,  #Avdhot Baba Shivananandji.

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3Ecocentrism is defined as a philosophy or perspective that places intrusive value on all living organism and their natural environment, regardless of their perceived usefulness or importance to human beings. Equivalent to it Shivyog – the most ancient way of life in Hinduism also strives for balance between humans, plants and animals on this planet and aims at a balanced way of existence. It also gives us guidance on ecological ethice.

According to# Stan Rowe (Ecocentrism: the chord that Harmonizes Humans and Earth) –

The ecocentric argument is grounded in the belief that, compared to the undoubted importance of the human part, the whole ecosphere is even more significant and consequential : more inclusive, more complex, more integrated, more creative, more beautiful, more mysterious, and older than time. The "environment" that anthropocentrism misperceives as materials designed to be used exclusively by humans, to serve the needs of humanity, is in the profoundest sense humanity's source and support: its ingenious, inventive life-giving matrix. Ecocentrism goes beyond biocentrism with its fixation on organisms, for in the ecocentric view people are inseparable from the inorganic/organic nature that encapsulates them. They are particles and waves, body and spirit, in the context of Earth's ambient energy.

Therefore it is thus our duty as well as our responsibility to sustain the balance of our earth. Consequently comes Ecological ethics - guidelines for human behavior here on Earth. Accordingly, we can say that Ecocentrism places the needs of animals and the environment into the foreground, while anthropocentrism places the needs of humans above those of animals and the environment.

Indian civilization as such is one of the most ancient and sustainable civilization of the world. Different religions, community, ethnic groups and sects of India have their own unique ecocentric approach. Indian civilization in spite of diversity in cultures, customs, languages and religions has always advocated an environment balance in its own unique way. Chandan Kumar Gautam and Anand Prem Rajan in their paper entitled  Ecocentrism in India: An Incredible Model of Peaceful Relation with Nature in ‘Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology’ Publication 2014 ,ISSN 2249 0256 ,2014 Volume 4, Issue 2, states that  that India has rich and diverse ecosystems (Sridharan and Pachauri, 2003). India ranks among the top ten biological diversities on the earth and shows a high degree of endemism (MoEF, 2009). The rich natural resources that people enjoy today are the result of wise resource management and allocation strategies followed by their ancestors. Environment protection and sanitation were attributes of the Vedic culture (Thakur, 2007). Indian traditional medical system, Ayurveda is not only a system of herbal medicines but it also inculcates religion and philosophy as well (Lad, 1984).Indians have developed several social, religious and cultural norms to preserve their natural heritage.

#Abdhood  baba Shivanan swami (Babaji) a master of ancient #Vedic practices of #Shivyog  and a master healer who has been sharing the sacred wisdom of ancient siddhas,  says that Shivyog is a science beyond science – it is holistic in its approach. Shiv means infinite and Yog means union, thus Shivyog means emerging with infinite. Babaji says that this science is discussed in Yajurveda.. The cosmic wisdom of Shivyog has originated directly from the divine powers which was realized during higher contemplation by holy seers and sages. These Sages compiled the wisdom of Yajurveda and gave birth to Shivyog. Only those Sages who have reached a certain level are capable of decoding the coded words into useful energy processes and this is Shivyog. A practitioner of Shivyog receives this grace of unraveling infinity from his Guru. He then connects his body, mind and soul to the cosmic energy and a powerful healing takes place, The same practitioner, when connects his farm, his corps, his seed and his cattle with the life giving energy of the cosmos, finds an enhancement of 5-6 times in his crop output. All this is subtle science. (Shiv Yog Holistic Agriculture project Published on 28 Aug 2014 www.shivyog.com )

Shivyog is a life style and is based on the principle of blessing. The blessings or diksha of the Guru enables a sadhak to get rid of the karmas of several lives through sadhana. Shivyog is knowingness. It is respecting and accepting every person and loving every person the way they are. Moreover, it is visualization of divinity flowing from the higher dimensions.  A Shivyog sadhak has the power of infinite dimensions within him. The sadhak has an advantage that despite his karmic layers (if any), the divinity still flows. This is possible due to the blessings of the Siddha Guru (Ascended Master). No doubt Shivyog regards all living creatures as sacred – mammals, fishes, birds, trees and more. Thus it has an ecocentric view of the cosmos.

Shivyog is a way to ascension. Shivyog is the wisdom to awaken the vast inner healing potential in every human being to cure every possible disease. Babaji believes that only healthy person can create a healthy society. The ancient wisdom of Vedas says that life of a human is complete only when he is able to keep the cycle of creation moving healthily. The cycle is that of human, plants and animal health. Through Shivyog we can make our food free of chemicals, pesticides and increase the crop output 4-5 times and also normalize the ill effects of genetic tampering of the seed. Secondly, Babaji says that through Shivyog we can increase the milk output from the cattle. The Shivyog healing says Babaji will develop and enhance the inherent potential of the animal to lactate through cosmic energy. Thirdly, Babaji says that there are infinite healing powers latent in a human being. If we activate these dormant powers through diligent adherence to Shivyog principles, no disease will remain incurable. Therefore, the need of the hour is to welcome Shivyog practices in our lives, to help crops and agriculture through them, to heal humanity through them and to expand the wealth of fauna.

As such, no authentic written document is available on Shivyog , but the Shibirs that are conducted by the Great Guru and also by Ishanji are readily available on Shivyog website as well as YouTube.  The paper does not discuss pollution, as it is a common fact that pollution can broadly classify into four major types, namely air, land, noise and water pollution. Several industries in India are marked as highly polluting like Aluminum smelter industries, Cement, Chlorine, Copper smelter, Distillery industries, Fertilizer, Iron and Steel, Oil refinery, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Pulp and Paper, Thermal power plants and Zinc smelter industries etc. In the paper, my area of discussion is thus is about Shivyog and how it can heal the earth that has already been damaged by various types of pollution agents. Therefore for my observations and conclusion, I bank on my understanding of Babaji’s teaching from various Shibirs that I have attended, talks with other Shivyog sadhaks as they share their experiences and videos of Babaji & Inshanji.

We all are well acquainted with the disturbances and problems that our planet faces today and we search for a solution. Shivyog has the solution. In the research paper on Power of Meditation:  Materialization of Energy/Intentions  Pradeep B. Deshpande*1, Mahendra Sunkara2 & Bhaskar D. Kulkarni3 very emphatically states that  that emotions can travel long distances instantaneously. Through their experiment, they observed that -

we believe that when an individual who has achieved such a high level of internal excellence delves deep into meditation, energy drawn from the five basic elements (Punch Mahabhoot in Sanskrit) or forces is created that flows through the body and emanates as a bioenergy field (an aura around an individual) which gradually dissolves and becomes a part of the cosmic energy that exists round and around.

The above paper shows other aspects of meditation as well. However, as such it empathetically states that meditation, here Shivyog meditation can be and is being used by various shadhaks all round the world for healing themselves as well the world round them.

Shivyog believes that we humans have created each and every problem or situation in our life by our thoughts and actions of past lives. However, due to ignorance we always blame others for our misery. Nevertheless, as such we take things too seriously and personal and reject to accept our own mistakes or even consider such a thing could have possibly been created by our own mistake. Thus, when people have lot of such deep negative impressions and resentment towards others, it is manifest in the form of various diseases, fights, situations that are beyond control. Of course, we need someone to act as a medium to administer the pain and suffering we have created and we blame this or that person for those problems. This starts a chain reaction as we plagiarize on creation of one bad situation after another, more blames follow and which are followed amid more suffering. Here Babaji’s favorite quote for such situation is Mein hi apna beri Muaa  (I am the enemy of myself).

Here # Sanjeevani Shakti comes to our rescue. Sanjeevani Shakti does not just work on physical level but also on all five bodies- Anandamaya, Gyanmaya, Manomaya, Pranmaya and Annmaya Kosh. It helps to clear those negative energy debris, from our higher bodies. Through unconditioned love and forgiveness, we  will be amazed how soon the problem vanishes and some sort of peaceful settlement is arrived at. Failure to forgive and forget hurts no one except self . So Babaji always says to forgive even your enemy as he , the so-called enemy is  just a medium and he has in fact come to release you from that Karma by enabling you to undergo it thereby releasing it because you failed to forgive and bestow unconditional love in the first place. Babaji tells all Sadhaks and Healers to give lots of unconditional love to all living beings.

For the last many years, we have been exploiting nature. We have given it many blows, not it is high time that we join the healing process and try to rectify by some positive work. Good Karmas, Sadhana, NishKam Seva, Mantra Recitation and doing good deeds are the ways of repay.

For leading an Eco friendly life Babaji advises us no to use lenses for eyesight problems. Lenses reduce the capability of the human eye to get back to normal. He tells us to take Trifala powder regularly. Not to use plastic. Not to not use electric water purifiers. Electricity kills the prana in water and food. The food and water processed through electricity  becomes dead. As an alternative he advocates the use of brass, copper, iron and steel vessels. Copper is an enemy of cancer. He advises us not to use microwave ovens. He tells us to destroy them and throw them away. Do not give them away to others. By giving them away to others, you are not doing any good. He likewise advises us never to eat food without offering your gratitude. We should always say thank you to all who have contributed in bringing the food in that form to you. Thanking nature and human alike will create an ecocentric culture that Shivyog teaches us.

Babaji regards Cow as the most pious animal. In Anvar Rajasthan Babaji has established a GauShala. A place where cow can live in freedom. Babaji says the cow emits very powerful radiation and energy and it emits God’s vibrations. Hence, anybody who comes in the aura of the cow feels this vibrations and his negativity is eliminated. If you rub your hand on the Cow, it pulls out all the toxic from the body. Whatever is stored in the pranamayakhosh the Cow pulls it out. That is why in Hindu religion Cow is called mother; it nourishes as well as nurtures us.  (ShivYog Gau Seva Published on 13 Aug 2015). Babaji further advises us to use cow milk, cow ghee and butter , cow mutra, cow dung for various purposes. Cow urine emits positive energy and no bacteria or virus can multiply in it.  He advises us to drink one spoon full of cow urine every day. This leads to detoxification. Even Vastudosha is removed with cow’s urine or burning of cow dung. Cow Dung can be used as fertilizer in farms and is environmental friendly. It is a good substitute for pesticides and is economical and least harmful. Therefore only Shivyog can help us and the world to move from The Devil In the Milk to Sanjivani in the Milk.

Babaji also advises the farmers to constantly send Sanjivani to their domestic animals and farms. This would inculcate positive vibrations and in turn, the earth would become more fertile and yield positive results. Similarly Sanjivani Shakti to a cattle would also result in more milk that is filled with Shivshiva’s own energy. I have frequently given Sanjivani to my small garden and the results are very phenomenal. Likewise giving Sanjivani to all animals round our home also has a very positive effect. With the flow of Sanjivani all nature becomes in harmony with each other, and that is what we want.

Conservation of the elements of biodiversity through various sacred uses of nature such as maintenance of sacred groves, tree and animal worship, and observing taboos on harvesting and hunting of plants and animals is characteristic of many indigenous communities in India (Gadgil and Vartak, 1981; Ramakrishnan et al., 1998; Syngai, 1999; Guha et al., 1999; Deb and Malhotra, 2001). Nevertheless, from an ethical perspective, we are not merely interested in the use of religion in preservation, but in the motive behind preservation, and in the values recognized in nature and its various living and even non-living mechanism. An anthropocentric basis for conservation can at best make man a good warden of nature and ensure its sustainable utilization. In contrast, only an ecocentric ethic can elevate man to the state of a partner of nature or a participant in nature's own goal of attaining perfect harmony not only among all living things, but also between living and non-living. This is no doubt the aim of Shivyog to create a pure, clean and balanced world for the generations to come. Babaji feels that to leave a sustainable world for the future generation we should care for nature, protect nature, land and water.

India is an agricultural country. Babaji says that our spinal cord is our corps and we know how important it is for us. He further says that Kisan is the dharti putra as he is producing Mata Annpuneshwari from this earth. Modern day farming, the use of insecticides and pesticides has barren the lands and turned it into wasteland. They have imparted negative effects of farmers as well as consumers. Various studies have show how exposure of pesticide leads towards cancer, leukemia, etc. With the aim to improve this condition of Indian farmers, Babaji is organizing various Shibirs and giving Sanjivani beej Mantra to farmers. Thus, Shivyog aims for Holistic agriculture to facilitate better health of man, animal and plants and a balanced ecological system. By practicing Shivyog we can attain and  aim for an ecocentric culture.

Reference -

1. Ecocentrism: the Chord that Harmonizes Humans and Earth by Stan Rowe in TheTrumpeter 11:2 Spring 1994, 106-107.

2.  Ecocentrism in India: An Incredible Model of Peaceful Relation with Nature  by  Chandan Kumar Gautam and Anand Prem Rajan in Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology Publication 2014 ,ISSN 2249 0256 ,2014 Volume 4, Issue 2.

3.  www.shivyog.com

4. You tube

Published in – Vidhyanae -An International Multidisciplinary Refereed e-Journal ISSN 2454-8596www.vidhyayanaejournal.org

www.vidhyayanaejournal.org

Spiritual Escalation of self - as depicted in The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma.

#Robin Sharma, the new age writer is a Uganda born Canadian Author. Today he is the internationally renowned author of 11 international bestselling books on leadership. He is also a highly sought after speaker and leadership coach and the founder of Sharma Leadership International Inc. Robin Sharma it seems, through his works has altered the lives of many readers and is a guiding light that leads his audience towards a spiritual escalation of self. The paper discusses his novel #The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. How all the way through this novel he offers a solution to life’s most complex problems and leads us towards spiritual growth. The paper also discusses why in the modern age of science and technology, a book with a spiritual message is liked and appreciated by many. Furthermore, his works carry a wealth of wisdom that enriches our personal, professional and spiritual life at large.

The novel teaches us how to maintain simplicity, serenity, happiness and harmony in our life. Before being a writer, Sharma was a lawyer, just like the protagonist in the novel. As he himself decided to redefine his core values he felt that he should share his transformation with other and this resulted in The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari – A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams And Achieving Your Destiny,( 2003) which was followed by the book entitled Who Will Die When You Cry, The Greatness Guide, etc. In the preface to his book, Who Will Die When You Cry, Sharma urges us to live our life by choice and not by chance, by design rather by default. He further says that today we live in an age when we have forgotten what life is all about. We can easily put person on Moon, but we have trouble walking across the street to meet a new neighbour. We can put missile across the world with a pinpoint accuracy, but we have trouble keeping a date with our children. We have e-mails, fax, face-book and digital phones so that we can stay connected and yet we live in a time where humans beings have never been less connected. Sharma feels we have lost touch with our humanity. We have lost touch with our purpose. We have lost sight of the things that matters the most.

The real problem, he feels lies in the fact that in this age of global anxiety we do not get enough relief. Two Sanskrit words he says sound very similar, Chinta and Chitta – one burns the dead while other burns the living. Therefore, the basic question he urges us to ask ourselves is ‘who will cry when I die?’ very soon all will be over and only regret remain. This regret leads to depression, frustration and stress. Therefore, before becoming slaves to this pessimist state of mind, Sharma urges us to find our call. He says that finding one calling does not suggest that you must leave the job you have now.  However, it simply means that one needs to bring more of self into the work and focus on things one does best. It also means that one stops waiting for others to make the change, but one ought to take the initiative and travel on the road less traveled.

The novel, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari – A Fable About Fulfilling Your #Dreams And Achieving Your #Destiny, tells the story of Julian Mantle, a high-profile and workaholic lawyer  who collapses in the middle of a trial. This incidence has a great impact on him and is also a revelation. He decides to question the purpose life that he is leading and starts a journey of self- realisation. His journey leads him to the mighty mountains of Himalayas, which in India are associated with many known and unknown stories of saints and spirituality. The Himalayas are the spiritual heritage for the Hindus and are called tapobhumi or land of spiritual practices.   The Himalayas are considered to be the home to the all abnegating Shiva and from times immemorial, the Himalayas have given out wordless invitations to sages, anchorites, yogis, artists, and philosophers.

The story is about Julian Mantle and his transformation from a millionaire lawyer to an enlightened monk- his journey from a skeptical litigator towards being a yogi and a believer. The story is narrated by Julian to John, another lawyer and his junior. Initially, Julian is a brilliant, handsome and fearless trial attorney who dreams of greatness and success that money and fame gives, he is an embodiment of modern-man. He is also tough, hard working and willing to work eighteen hours a day for success, believing it to be his destiny. He is always hungry for more – more prestige, more glory and more money. He has all the materialistic possessions, but he is not satisfied. In fact, nothing satisfies him and in this case due to his greed for more, his marriage breaks and his relation with his father is also botched. This creates a situation that is stressful and one fatal day he collapses right in the middle of a packed courtroom. Nevertheless, he takes this attack as an excellent opportunity to rekindle his inner fire –

                           ...every pain can be a wonderful teacher (p 46)

He decides to find out who he really is and turns this opportunity into a personal odyssey of the self. He disappears for a while and when he returns after three years, he is a changes man-

                             ...a lineless face glowing radiantly (p 11)

The author is quite astonished by the new improved Julian, who is now ready to share his secret with the author and the world.

The spiritual crisis ultimately leads him towards spiritual awakening. Sharma points out that, in this modern fast-paced society, which values material possessions and accomplishments, more and more people, like Julian are hunger for meaning and connection to some larger purpose. This especially becomes essential when dealing with life-changing events, confrontation with mortality or pain that is mental, emotional or physical in which an interpretation may be crucial that gives meaning to the event. This sets the stage for a spiritual crisis, where previously held beliefs are called into question. This is a common occurrence after a traumatic event where the unexpected has happened, like experienced by Julian when he collapses in the courtroom. When such an incidence happens, the life-changing event shatters a sense of safety in the world and creates inconsistency, confusion and disorientation.

For Julian, the solution to the crisis such as this lies in addressing questions regarding values, meaning and purpose. It might be said that the sufficiency or deficiency of a belief system is called into query. Sharma points out that the resolution may require greater definition of beliefs toward a sort of cosmic worldview to such questions as, -Why do I exist? , What am I here to do? , Who am I? , What makes me different or the same as others? , What is my or our relationship to the interplay of forces, cause and effect or to a supreme force, what is the meaning of life over and above survival? Does God exist? Why does life seem unfair? If God exists, why does God allow suffering?  How can we create a more peaceful state of existence? What happens when we die? etc. To these questions, science fails to give satisfactory answers.  We need to search beyond the rational mind for these answers.

Research confirms this view that God becomes part of the ‘big picture’ for the -

significant things that happen (Hood, Spilka, Hunsberger, and Gorsuch, 1996, p. 30).

People will endure anything life throws at them as long as they believe it has meaning. For some event to have meaning one must believe that learning and growth has come from it, that the event has motivated us to take some action that will help others or that it has taught us something about ourselves. Answering these questions has the prospective to provide meaning, can help a person to feel connected to the divine, or to feel that the actions in life have been evocative, because it have made a difference to someone, somewhere at some time.

A spiritual crisis may begin one on a journey that leads to a unique task or mission in life that continues to give our lives meaning. Victor Frankl, an author who endured a Nazi Death Camp believed that-

striving to find meaning in one’s life is the primary motivational force in man. (p. 121, Man’s Search for Meaning)

Julian’s predicament leads him on a quest for happiness and peace and takes him to India. In India, he learns the process of spiritual growth. He finds out that spiritual growth is an important inner process, not only for people who live in far away and secluded places, and who seek spiritual awakening but  it is of paramount importance for a superior, happier and  harmonious life, free of strain and anxiety. Spiritual growth is the process of getting rid of wrong concepts, thoughts and beliefs about who we are and about the world in which we live. Through this process, we increase our consciousness of our true inner being, the true spirit that we are. It is a process of looking inside us, cracking our illusions and revealing our true essence, which is always present, but concealed beyond the ego-personality.

Here cracking the shackles of reason, he places his trust in his intuition and decides to travel alone. Through perseverance and missionary zeal, he is able to find The Great Sages of Sivana-Oasis of Enlightenment. In this magical world of Sivana, he feels as if he has returned to the paradise and realizes that it is right time to reinvent his destiny. Yogi Rama teaches him that success on the outside means nothing unless you also have success within. This is the message that Sharma wants to pass on to his readers. Enormous amount of wisdom is covered here. The novel deals with an approach to live life simply with a balance of focus, obedience, courage and self-mastery. The message in the book keeps on lingering in our minds.

The novel is about how Julian learns the value of time and how to utilize time to its optimal. All the chapters in the novel are thoroughly intended and flow impeccably from one to the next. The book is well engraved. Many persons today have the life style that is similar to that of Julian, who lives a life of splendour and extravagance. Earning more and more, but in the process losing health and family. Julian Mantle journey to India makes him meet sage Yogi, who lives in Sivana, a small place located in the Himalayas, the land of rose covered huts, calm blue waters with white lotuses floating.

The excellent part of the book is where Julian Mantle teaches his friend John about the ways to live life happily and how to utilize time. The teachings that were taught to him by the sage in Sivana. Julian shares the transformation of life by Yogi Raman. Other pleasant thing about the book is that, each chapter ends with an action summary. Therefore, you get the chance to think about what happened in the story, the points being made, and the big thing is it gives you the techniques. He also shares everything, which he has learned from the sage. The book, for people who do not have time to spend more on books, is a real gift. This book is also for people who dash after riches and materialism, and for who hunt life somewhere else when life is within.

The novel describes the Seven basic virtues of Sivana System, seven fundamental principles that embodied the key to self leadership, personal responsibility and spiritual enlightenment. Rama imparts his wisdom to Juliet via a mystical fable. The fable starts in the magnificent garden with a lighthouse in the  middles of the house, out of the house walks a 9  feet  tall  900-pound  Sumo wrestler, who  is naked  except for  pink wire cable covering  his  privates. He slips and falls on a stopwatch that been lying on the floor and 1oses consciousness. However, the wrestler wakes up to the fresh flagrance of yellow roses coming from a distance. He looks over and then discovers that, there is a diamond-studded pathway that he walks.  

The  garden, the  lighthouse, the  sumo wrestler, the  pink wire cable, the  stopwatch, the yellow roses  and the winding path of diamonds are  symbols  of the seven timeless virtues  for  an  enlightened  life.  Julian then  explains the significance of the fable - the   garden is a symbol  of  the  mind,  lighthouse is a reminder  of  one's purpose in life,  sumo wrestler  stands for rituals of Kaizen-  building strength   of  character, developing mental toughness and courage,  pink wire  represents discipline, the stopwatch represents time, the yellow flowers symbolise fragrance - acts  of  kindness and  creativity and an  optimist   attitude   of  life. While the diamond- studded path represents enlightened living life that is full of happiness. Julian wants to share his experience with all. To de- stress in life, one should understand this fable - 

1. Magnificent Garden represents Our  Mind

Þ Nurture the mind daily.

                        Þ Only let positive thoughts into your mind.

Þ Mind can be mastered through concentration and a useful technique is to practice the "heart of the rose" every morning. This entails focusing on the heart of a fresh rose and improving concentration  of mind everyday

Þ Spend time in the mon1ing visualizing what you plan to become

2. The Light house signifies our purpose of life

Þ Life is finite so concentrate on your life’s main purpose

Þ Find something you love and work with passion

Þ  Apply the rule of 21.

Þ Laugh, love and live every day

3. The Sumo Wrestler represents Kaizen

Þ  This entails – building strength, developing mental toughness and living with courage

Þ Union of mind, body and soul

Þ 10 rituals of Kaizen to be practiced everyday

Þ Means never ending and daily improvement of self

4. Pink wire cable represents discipline.

Þ Will-power and discipline are like strings that need to be woven together

Þ Through Controlling thoughts, controlling mind, one can control life and become the master of destiny

5. The stopwatch represents time

Þ Time is the most important commodity of our life

Þ It is finite and must be mastered

Þ Do not let others steal your time

Þ Develop a death-bed mentality

6. Fragrance of yellow roses signifies service

Þ Show act of kindness

Þ Develop in yourselves a gift of sharing

Þ Cultivate friends and nature family

7. Diamond studded path represents enlightened living

Þ Live in now and live fully

Þ Happiness is a journey and not an destination

Þ Practice the act of gratitude

Þ Now is the path to  nirvana

 The ultimate goal of life, the ultimate destination of all enlightened souls, he says is Nirvana. Nirvana is a state where all things are possible.

John sees his future in Julian. He realizes that if he continues with the rat race of the world he would slide down the same slippery slope through which Julian had slipped and resolves to change. He awakens to the fact that happiness is a journey and it is a choice that we make. This is the memorandum of Robin Sharma.

The language of the novel is quite simple and the message direct. Robin Sharma via fable, fairy-tale and other stories captures the wisdom of the ancient times and presents it in a reader-friendly manner. Life is an incredible sport and a quest for happiness. The Universe has a great sense of humour, tremendous love and gifts of magical unseen guidance. Every step of the journey is to be enjoyed; the strength, the power and the magic will be taken care by the universe - the cosmic law. To reach the destiny there are no quick fixes or short cuts.  Julian says that all lasting changes require 

time and effort and perseverance is the mother of personal change. The book creates a world of wisdom, intention, happiness, love, peace and success.

This novel of Robin Sharma is the best tools that will help us transform challenges into opportunities. It  teach us how  best to lead ourselves and our team in times of crisis  as  it  helps  us  to  become  more  resilient,  an  expert  on  change  and  crisis management, and also guides us to live a life void of the fears, tensions and stress that have kept us from reaching the highest potential. Sharma says that goals and dreams for the future are essential in every truly successful life. Hope for what will appear in your future is what gets you out of bed in the morning and what keeps you inspired through your days. Goals energies your life. Sharma says that his point is very simple - never put happiness for the sake of achievement never put off the things that are important for your well- being. Today is the day to live fully, not when you win a lottery or when you retire. Never put off living. We live in an age where we have conquered higher mountains but have to master over selves.  We have  taller buildings  but shorter tempers,  more  possessions  but  less happiness,  fuller minds  but emptier lives.  Nevertheless, wisdom lies in realizing that happiness is not a place you reach but a state you create, so in this stressful age the spiritual message that Robin Sharma conveys through his books is- live for something more than yourself, stated simply, the purpose of life is a life of purpose.

Published in – Recent Thoughts The Referred international Journal ISSN: 2278-4608 June 2012, Year: I, Vol :I (2)  Page 92 to 95