It is customary in our society for the elderly folks to recede into the background from worldly affairs after retirement and spend most of the time reading holy scriptures and religious texts books. It’s quite understandable since old age shares a deep, supportive connection with spiritual practices that often intensify and help older adults find peace, purpose and resilience in later life.
Yet, at the age of 71, I don’t feel that ‘old’ and try to remain fully engaged in pursuits like music, films, sports and writing & haven’t yet turned to reading books on spirituality. So when I came across this fascinating book entitled ‘Inspired Daily Wisdom for Holistic Living’ by ‘Gnanvatsaldas Swami’, I was bowled over by the sheer beauty & simplicity of stories & anecdotes we can relate to as life lessons sans the feeling of being preached !
Taking from its wonderful ‘Foreword’ : ‘The four pillars to the book – Personal Growth, Family Values, Work Ethics & Human Relations and Spirituality – are the essential components of a well-rounded and fulfilling life. In today’s world, with the rapid rise of technology and the fast paced work and personal environments, there is even greater need for individuals to take time for personal reflection and strive for balance in life.’
The author himself writes ‘ It’s the battles we face within ourselves, the quest for peace within our own homes, the loss of purpose and identity amidst life’s chaos, and the way our priorities and peace are lost in the shuffle of daily challenges. These are the burdens that weigh heavily on our existence. To improve the world, we must start by shaping our inner worlds. We must explore practical ways to embrace daily challenges, rise above them and find stability within..’
Indeed, what better way than suggested above to organize our perspectives & reflections which are a maze of the past events overlapping into the theatre of the present and how we envisage the future for ourselves and for our family & society and the legacy we wish to leave. With our years of experience we’re so proud of the wisdom we’ve acquired till we realize some of the monumental inadequacies that have remained.
I have a truly heartwarming story of how I came to possess the book. Some months ago, I was fortunate enough to reconnect with one of my favorite seniors in the Bank, Mr.JD Parmar, Retd Chief Gen.Manager, BOB who is settled in Baroda. Not only did Parmar Sir host us to a splendid Gujarati Thali, he also presented me two great books including this one. This was not only affection but his appreciation of my taste for good reading !
