SIDDHARTHA : Book by Hermann Hesse

Siddhartha : a spiritual cult that I was longing to read since ages. A story that starts with a wandering boy who leaves his father in serach of true knowledge and ends with wandering father trying to calm his urge to find his son. A journey that teaches the practical spirituality, tried and tested by touching each facade of life with the essence of oneness.

The book teaches three important things a man needs to have as strong skills : To Wait, To Fast and To Think.

These three skills help you to wait, wait for the situations to unfold itself, wait for the right time and right thing, wait to grab the best. Patience is the most underrated skill these days where world is moving fast and every task has a sense of urgency lingering around it building stress on mental health.

Next skill is "to fast", because hunger is cause of so many evils. Man looses his sleep, his peace of mind and his true self only to fill his stomach. "Papi Peth Ka Sawal" as they call it. The urge to fulfill all your desires, demands, luxuries and comforts are never ending. The goals set by man leads no where but a constant discomfort to fulfill it asap and in return man looses the opportunity to find himself, his true self. A trade off that he decides to take up while chasing his dreams. 

"There is always enough for everyone's need, but never enough for everyone's greed"

The third skill is To Think , think and harness the power of mind for betterment of everyone around you. Thinking is a hidden power each one possess but often takes for granted and ends up acting impulsively. It is the power of thinking that gives solution to most of our issues which we usually consider as most improbable ones to solve.

Siddhartha in his journey tastes different flavours of life and discovers oneness with the nature, with the one driving force of this world. 

He discovers that each one is combination of heaven and hell, it depends on us what we choose. There is good and bad in each one, decision lies on us on what we focus on. The binding force is the oneness that can only be felt and it is this oneness that will help to calm the wavering mind.

A super simple read, the book still forces you to re-read each line to understand it better. There is so much that this book offers which cannot be penned down. The most enlightening part is the way nature responds to your questions if only you sit and listen. The last chapter of the book although ends in vague manner but surely defines the wisdom earned in the complete story. 

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra : Book Summary

Well, who doesn't know Deepak Chopra must surely Google him and find his immense detailed work in the field of Spirituality and Well Being.

In this book written by Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, he has encompassed a treasure of knowledge dunked in Practical Spirituality with ways of applying it. Being a spiritually inclined person this book is a must-read. It can perfectly act as a mini-toolkit to live life as it should be whenever you want a fresh perspective on any situation. Read on to know the laws and the crux of the insights from these laws.

Law #1: The Law Of Pure Potentiality

Also known as The Law Of Unity, this law speaks about unifying your inner self with the true Self (read as Nirankar/Omnipresent God). Deepak Chopra addresses the Omnipresent God as Self or The Gap. Yes, you read it right, The Gap. It is the gap between running currents of numerous thoughts that chatter your mind. The Gap squeezes between different feelings, emotions, and thoughts you experience. The best way to harness the power of The Gap is by expanding it. The expansion is possible only when you calm the mind by meditation and focusing just on the Self.

Self Realisation is God Realisation. Deepak also talks about being Non-judgmental about everything around you allows the universe to show you possibilities in all directions. Being judgemental about a situation or person restricts the power of possibilities. Realize the Self to allow the Law Of Potentiality to unfold and open the world of all possibilities.

Law #2: The Law Of Giving

As the name suggests, it explains very beautifully the power of giving and receiving. The energy of the universe is the circulation of what you give and what you receive. As cliche as it may sound, the more you give the more you receive. The only condition that Deepak highlights to make this law work for you is to "Give Unconditionally". Half-heartedly or grudgingly giving something would result in just loss and no gain. The best way to apply this law is to resolute that every time you come in contact with anyone you give them something, may not be materialistic things and could be a silent prayer for their health and well being or true feeling of gratitude towards their role on your life. The rewards would be much more valuable than anything else.

Law #3: The Law Of Karma or Cause-&-Effect

Everything happens for a reason and the reason is based on the choices we make. The most empowering situation is to witness the thoughts you get while making a conscious choice. Ask yourself two questions: What are the consequences of the choice I am making and Will my choice affect the happiness of me and everyone around me? Your bond responds in two sensations: Comfort or Discomfort. Try to capitalize on these sensations by asking yourself the above mentioned 2 questions. No matter how faint the signal be, your body will still respond as comfort or discomfort. Make your choices based on these senses. Believe in your heart as it knows it all. The other ways to apply this law include transforming your karmas (read as bad incidents) into opportunities by asking "What is it trying to teach me?" Learn and apply the learning for a better life. Alternatively, transcend the karma by expanding the Gap, immersing your soul in the Gap, and awareness of higher Self. Let your karmas be absorbed in the Gap.

Law #4: The Law Of Least Resistance

This law states that the more we resist a situation, the bigger it becomes. The law signifies the importance of love and harmony. When our actions are motivated by love, our energy multiplies and you become immune to criticism, become fearless of the challenges, and untap the infinite creativity of your mind to solve your problems. The three important aspects to apply this law are ACCEPTANCE - to accept the situation as it is and be in complete awareness of the present, RESPONSIBILITY - to take up the charge of changing your life for the better, and finally DEFENSELESSNESS - to surrender your need to convince or persuade others to accept your point of view. When you remain open to all points of view, open mindset, your dreams and desires will follow nature's desires (Allowing God's Will Over My Will).

Law #5: The Law Of Intention And Desire

All the things of the world are made of the same components, literally translating all things come from the same source. One Source. One Driving Force. The only difference is the content of the information and energy stored in each form. To manifest your desires, you need to put attention to them with intent. Attention energizes while intention transforms. When you put your attention to anything, it becomes stronger. When you remove your attention, it disintegrates. Fuel your attention with an INTENT. The intention will transform it to the desired outcome. However, the important thing is to ensure your intention is devoid of attachment to the outcome. Whatever be the outcome, it should not bother you. Focus and put your intention to accomplish it. Let the universe decide the outcome. As per Bhagwad Geeta, Karam Kiye Ja Faal Ki Chinta Na Kar. 

The five steps to apply this law : 

1) Slip into the Gap, to attend the self-realization

2) Established in the state of Being, release your intentions and desires

3) Remain in a state of self-referral by not sharing your desires with everyone around unless they resonate with the same intention as yours

4) Surrender your attachment to the outcome

5) Let Universe handle the details

Law #6: The Law Of Detachment

Detachment is the unquestioning belief in the power of Self. Attachment is always associated with KNOWN and the known is only our past. Attaching to the past will engulf us in fear, anxiety, and stress. Uncertainty in Life is the fertile ground for creativity and freedom. To explore the world of possibilities, we need to step into the Unknown. Our heart and mind are equipped to creatively flourish in uncertainty if we allow detachment, that is unwavering belief in the Self. We find new opportunities and meet our goals only when we venture into the unknown with the alertness of Self.

Law #7: The Law Of Dharma or Purpose Of Life

Each one of us is blessed with unique talent and has taken birth to fulfill unique expectations. That is the Dharma of our Life. There are three main components of Dharma :

1) Discover True Self and understand that we are Spiritual Beings having Human Experience

2) Express the unique talents that help us enjoy the present moment of our life without being bothered by the time we invest in it.

3) Serve Humanity with your unique talents and fulfill that purpose of life.

Commitment to determine the above mentioned 3 components in your life, explore and utilize them opens the door to the divinity that helps to not only amass the wealth we desire but also makes life fulfilling.

The book enlightens the soul and guides towards the Spiritual Laws of Life. This 113 pager is full of wisdom which could not suffice the summary. It is a must-read for seekers of a better life full of positivity and divinity.

Mind map for the book

P.S: Being a follower of the Nirankari Mission, I could not help but resonate the teachings of this book with the Nirankari idealogy. I could relate each Law to the way of life that we have been blessed with by being a Nirankari. It is refreshing to read this book and revise or rather understand the gravity of each Law with better details and application approach.