What an amazing world we live in.
You know someone for almost 30 years, and only now discover the hidden, almost-mystical side to them.
My Mumbai-based friend Lakshmi Narayan has just published her second book (& here’s a link to my review of her debut novel) and what a revelation it is.
“Whisperings from Beyond” is a collection of thoughts, precepts, call them what you will, one for each day of the year, making this a book to keep by your side and dip into regularly.
It was in her introduction to her book that I saw a side of my otherwise down-to-earth, no-nonsense friend, a side I never knew existed. Couched in her own inimitable style, Lakshmi explains how this collection came to be:
“This collection of “thoughts” has been coming to me on a regular basis from November 2008 to present day. Where do they ideate from? Is it my alter-ego? I’m your average aunt-next-door, averagely good, averagely bad, averagely intelligent, averagely mixed-up. So why do these “thoughts” – so unlike my conscious concepts or leanings – bombard me?”
Now that’s the Lakshmi I know! Articulate, no nonsense, and delightfully self deprecating.
It is in this no-nonsense way of hers, that she opens her heart and shares her thoughts with us, explaining that prayer has always been important to her:
“From personal experience I can honestly say that prayer has been the single most motivating factor in my life and it has definitely moved mountains, making the impossible possible.”
The author offers us a thought – more like a short reading – for every day of the year and on opening the book, I turned straight to my birthday reading.
2 September
It is called “Accepting the unacceptable” and the final stanza of Lakshmi’s musing gave me pause for thought :
“…If we stop resisting
and go with the flow
soon enough
good will come
out of the bad and
the seemingly bad”
There are thoughts on topics as varied as money, value systems, resisting temptation, negativity…something for everyone, which is part of the appeal of this book.
You can dip in and out, and always find something to make you think.
A good-looking book, attractively presented.
Published in 2017 by Hay House, “Whisperings from Beyond” costs Rs399.
You can order it here, by clicking on the link…but, hey! You all know how to do that without any explanations from me, right?
Thanks Hazel. This book is a result of 8 years of being bombarded with thoughts from beyond.
Congratulations Lakshmi
My own copy :). But shall get it autographed by you!
Just acquired a copy and reading it. Nuggets of pick-me-up wisdom?.
Is it your own copy or did you borrow it from somebody? Was planning to bring one across
Sounds interesting…will get hold of it…since early this morning this is the second message I have heard about ‘going with the flow’…congrats Lakshmi
Thanks Raja. You can get the book from Amazon India
Many of the whisperings resonate with me, my dear friend. Thanks for putting down in print and hope to see you soon.