Blog - 103 – “Aleph” by Paulo Coelho

          

"Travel is never a matter of money but of courage" - 

 To live is to experience the things, to experience you've to travel, not sit somewhere and pondering the meaning of life.

Last time in my 91^st blog when I have had completed and reappraise “The Zahir” by Paulo, at that time I was on with “Aleph”. “Aleph” is fifth book that I had done reading by same author – rest are: “The Alchemist”, “Brida”, “Eleven minutes” and “The Zahir”. After completing many spiritual and self-journey, and non-fiction, and fictional love / crime / thriller opus, this time I decided to outset myself on a journey on one of the most recommended and acclaimed book of travel genre - “City of Djinns – A year in Delhi” by William Dalrymple.

          

          While when I come to Paulo, I used to read this author and personally praise his few work that need to sheer, not because someone just want to read a book; besides to know, what our primal heart tells to us that concealed somewhere in nook of deep heart. His book served as a lantern for millions, helping people to reconquer their own kingdom. I read his books not only for his teachings that he spread through his books, but also for the beauty of few sentences that have a lasting impression on everyone; at-least on me. Even though the novels originally penned in his own mother tongue and we got the English translation version, the magic of his words still remains same and at few lines / sentences it overwhelmed. Reading Paulo, in itself is like a magical experience, while his books doesn't contains any everyday fable and simply concomitant about our own inner growth and search and encourage us to open the doors of self-discovery, that even we didn't ever know existed. I can recommend all of his books to read: “The Alchemist”, “Brida”, “The Zahir” and “Aleph”.

 

          While when I come to “ALEPH” - This is truly a wonderful and amazing book. Without realizing it the author took me on journey of self-discovery that opened my eyes to the newness of the world. I feel that this book is on par with the Alchemist. In its own unique way it continues the story. A Journey from source to goal is one thing! But a journey made by Paulo is another experience; as it will be short from dreary to light to know own quest.

          This book takes us on an outward and an inward journey to unfold many struggles. It's a very down to earth book and author takes us on his own journey to find own quest of probing meaning of his own life's mystery and about its own personal legendary that he thought he hailed through his successful books across the world and across million of hearts. He is successful, he has money, he can travel anywhere, he can live a luxurious and a desirous life, even if he does not work or not work-well till death-bed. But, success is not a word that can outlined very easily, besides all of us faces the same struggle and problem even when we thought we're successful and have had achieved everything while in deepest of heart we know, we're still missing something.

          The book starts with a conversation between Paulo and his master cryptically name “J.” about his dissatisfaction with life, J. advices him to go on a journey to meet people that will lead him to the Aleph [ Aleph is first letter of the Hebrew word, which means truth. In Jewish mythology it was the letter aleph that was carved into the head of the golem which ultimately gave it life, Aleph in Jewish mysticism represents the oneness of God. - Source Wiki ] and help to find himself again.

          Guided by subtle signs he started a journey through Africa, Europe and Asia. “To live is to experience the things, to experience you've to travel, not sit somewhere and pondering the meaning of life.” the author writes. He traveled to six countries before starting prolonged two-month ride to the Trans-Siberian railway between Moscow to Vladivostok (his childhood dream); making book signing stops on his book tour of Russia. At his hotel in Moscow, a beautiful girl in her twenties; Hilal, the gifted violinist introduces herself to him before leaving. At first, he brushes her off and continuously denies her in every meeting, while she tried hard to recall his memory to remember her. At last he finally impressed by her determination and allows her to accompany him on his journey, despite the objection of his fellows. It turns out that her impression was right. There is indeed a connection between them and during one of meeting they found themselves at a place where all points collide and he discovers, she is the woman he loved five-hundred years before and he needs her forgiveness for a sin he committed against her in a past life due to his cowardice act. One of another special character of this book is “Yao” who can translate many languages and was not able to understand the difference and meaning of life and death after the death of his wife. He still remains in the dilemma of living a life with his wife.

          In my personal view, all the books of this author are good. “Aleph” is also as extraordinary as was “The Zahir”, but both are very different in the story-line, and we can not compare two books just because it is written by same author and our expectation with author are as habitual. While “The Zahir” was written to find the false meaning of attachment that we describes as; love, whereas “Aleph” is an attractive book that describe the complicated problems of lives and to find the inner peace knowing that life is a journey, a beautiful journey that's filled with adventure all the time. But probably all the books are not everyone's cup of tea and everyone's views are different for different work.

          

          Like all of Coelho's books – he makes you think about different aspects of your own life and takes you with him on his journey. Unquestionably I recommend this book to everyone because it gives you an insight into the beliefs and spiritual journey's of other people. I really love the book and I can say every book of this author [ bases on five books that I had completed ] makes me believe to don't stop reading some of his more creations. Seriously. Thank you once again Mr Coelho for your inspiring words.

About Author -::

          Paulo Coelho, born in 1947, is an author and songwriter and one of the most popular authors in the world. He has authored many books that changed the life of millions. His all books contains almost a same message to “Follow Your Passion – Follow Your Dream.” He has been awarded numerous prestigious international awards for his ennobling writing and inspiring millions through realm of his words.

Cheers!

Dhitendra

Keep Smiling :-) 

Blog 102 - "The Blind Man's Garden" By Nadeem Aslam

Love is not consolation, it is light.

           This is first time when I went through a book backhand by – Nadeem Aslam – a gifted and critically acclaimed [ from greatest writer ] of this generation. “The Blind Man's Garden” is first Nadeem Aslam's novel I went through and which came highly recommended from many world-wide abolish author's and truly I was not disappointed. The 400+ page book was completed in just two days. Undoubtedly this book is poetic, bold and, direct and, beautifully written in every manner. After reading this book I can agree to this assessment that he's truly a talented magician of words with pen in his hand instead of a wand. The ability to invoke strong emotions in the readers is no small matter and it is a proven fact that Nadeem Aslam achieves this with such an ease.

           “The Blind Man’s Garden” is a novel which rewards attentive reading and one in which the reader relishes every word. The book is set after the first few months following the attacks of 9/11 - The story of two foster brother - Jeo and Mikal, Joe's father Rohan, Mikal's brother Basie and Naheed. The initial few pages give us a glimpse of a world which is soon to follow. The book is cruel and violent in its description but so is the world that it’s set in. An atmospheric and heart wrenching view of what the aftermath of 9/11 was for the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan and Taliban who declare themselves as true devotee of their God “Allah” and treat the rest world as an “INFIDEL.” It focuses on one family, but the story it tells explains a part of the world that we know so little about at the day to day family level. Everything is in there – the poverty, the richness of life, family, war, peace, religion, traditions, education, Taliban, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Infidel, pride, guilt, life, death and, above all – A SURVIVAL.

           All the characters belongs to book are vivid, complex and flawed – there are no saints on either side. Rohan’s garden provides an oasis of calm, respite from the turbulence of the outside world but he also faces an inner struggle. In a society dominated by religious extremism it becomes increasingly difficult to reconcile family and faith and this inevitably creates tension between generations.

           The book moves back and forth between the small town of Heer and the mountains of Afghanistan, where American soldiers have begun a fight against the Taliban and the hunt for Al-Qaueda terrorists. Rohan's recently married son, Jeo, a trainee doctor, sets off for Afghanistan with his foster brother Mikal, a poetically minded and skilled mechanic who also have knowledge about the constellation of cars and stars and is secretly, in love with Jeo's wife, Naheed [ before marriage ] who also happens to be in love with him that is later investigated by Jeo during their journey towards war-land Afghanistan.

           When Joe and Mikal leave for Afghanistan with the intention of tending to the sick and on the first night of their trip to the Afghan border, they are tricked by their driver and thanks to a plot by an enemy back in their Pakistani hometown – the brothers were sold into the private army of a warlord. They try to escape and are promptly captured by a band of Taliban warriors, and soon find themselves in the middle of a chaotic firefight. Later they found they both lost in the jungle of terrorism realize that it is not easy to escape through the clutches of this violence. Alongside taken through a world filled with deception, violence and hatred they found themselves in a world different from their own world. Soon, the family of Jeo's received a news of his death and his decease body on their footstep – while on other side the family that suffers in their absence and yearns for their return. A nearly blind father whose memories of his dead wife are cruel reminders of his religious beliefs and her secular convictions.

           Back home in Heer (a fictional town that shares a name with a famous Punjabi romance) Jeo’s wife, Naheed, faces the consequences of her own dangerous secret. Though she married Jeo a little over a year ago, the week before the wedding she was ready to run away with Mikal, who has been her secret lover. It’s only because Mikal never showed up on the night they were to elope that she wound up married to Jeo. And now, with the brothers swept up by war, Naheed longs for one and suffers guilt over the other.

           Mikal, meanwhile, has been captured by the Americans, who think he’s a high-level Al Qaeda commander. Despite prolonged and repeated harsh handling – Mikal would have no problem picking sides on the question of whether torture – he refuses to give the Americans so much as his name. Eventually freed, he promptly commits a crime that puts him back into the cross-hairs. His flight across Afghanistan and back to Heer, to be reunited with Naheed and to learn Jeo’s fate, becomes ever more perilous.

           It gives way to pages of internal debate on religion and fundamentalism. It seems a nigh impossible task to unite East and West but, in this compelling novel, Aslam succeeds in highlighting what we have in common – humanity, loyalty, love and family ties – the building blocks upon which a more peaceful future might be based. Despite the tragedies which haunt this family, this is fundamentally a story of one basic truth of life called as - “HOPE.”

           It is an excellent drama set in a very beautiful and vivid way - Not many words wasted throughout. The subject matter in this book is hard: hard to fathom, hard to digest, hard to put past your thoughts. layered with connections between people, animals, plants, and a magical touch between all of them. This was by far one of the most eloquent, emotionally resonant, lyrical, and lush novel on the subject. For anyone who is a fan of literature, of language and of beautiful writing this book is a must read, it's a rare find in today's fiction.

          

 After reading this book, I am surly going to read his another creations.

About Nadeem Aslam – Nadeem Aslam is a Pakistan born writer. His family moved from Pakistan to England when he was only fourteen year old. He's the author of three other novel: Seasons of the Rain-birds, Maps for Lost Lovers (long-listed for the Booker Prize, shortlisted for IMPAC prize), the wasted Vigil. In 2012 he was a made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.






Cheers!
Dhitendra
Keep Smiling :-)

101 blog - "OUTBURST OF A COMMON MAN"

 

#### Outburst of a Common Man ####

During this write up and when I penned down; I ne'er deliberate to compose anything by safekeeping Mr. Arvind Kejriwal and the well-thought “AAM AADMI PARTY” in my cognition. Mr. Arvind is an IITian and a former Joint Commissioner and undoubtedly he can choose a life and can pick out any option he coveted for. Indeed, far amended than this atrocious one. On the left side maybe realizing the magnitude of corruption and dirt in a well respected land “India”, he and his team opt a very antithetic living. While, why I don't make a write up by keeping him and his team in my mind is depending on our own perception about the words we listen, we read and we thought. It depends person to person and perception changing is a pugnacious and a little crawling process – it is time consuming.

I hope the enthusiasm of Mr. Arvind and his team will stay same forever and will reach up to new heights to carry through the mission which is why it all kickoff. And, I hope and I sincerely want that all the floating rumors will be ambit to be end very soon and I'd like to feel very happy to pen down composing a few words on those attributes. Many congratulates for a smashing debut triumph in assembly elections and all the good luck for future endeavor!

When I think the word “Common” I found the word is very powerful in itself; not because a living thing merely state a line “I am a common X”. While, the powerfulness of word “COMMON” lies in its own glory of its own being, that is why the word is of very importance. The other reason of this glory can express in a well said proverb - “The most simple things in the world are the most extraordinary and only a wise man can see them.”

Whenever I witness my country or perceive the world with a view, a question always feats in my nous “Who is really a common man?”. And when I visage to search an answer I found uncountable explanation. Is he the silent elderly man with a wisp of white hair, dressed in dhoti and jacket ( like the creation of Indian cartoonist R.K.Laxman) ?” Or is he the miserable farmer in the movie “Peepli Live ?” or are those Indian nomad who move here and there in search to fulfill their own quench of life?” or are those who suffer thoroughly because they're quarantined by man-made concepts of caste, and sex, and survival ?” or are those who tones stress sitting in their well-suited corporate attires?” or those who do not have enough cloths to wear.?.” The distinctness of this word is very profound and multifaceted according to people – from the point of view to observe – from the point of view to thought – from the point of way to explain.

In terms of Politicians each have their own definition – In the words of Rahul Gandhi, “the common man in India is that person who does not have a connection to the system, whether he is a poor or a rich, belongs to any caste and gender, educated or uneducated, if he is not connected to the system, he is a common man.” Is it true.? On other side, “a senior member of the CPI, defines the common man as “those who are below the poverty line. In India, common men are peasants, agricultural laborers and middle class who all constitute over 85% of the country’s population.” Is it also true ? The phrase “COMMON MAN” has wide political currency in India, with parties across the political spectrum using it, and it will likely be uttered many times. But who exactly is the common man the question still remains as same ?”

Mr. Laxman once said of his common man creation , "I would say he symbolizes the mute millions of India, or perhaps the whole world, a silent spectator of marching time."

And in my opinion the definition of a common man should be like - :

“Most of us are common man and most of us would agree that being a common man is not a very small deal. A common man symbolizes freedom and to be live freely in free world. It is who influences its surroundings, society and culture although over time. Maybe due to unexplainable reasons a common man forgot its power to change the world but still he's one who is making or can make a difference. Over time, the common man has always represented hopes, aspirations, troubles and perhaps even foibles for all world.”

Not long ago, when confronted on a news channel one of the popular leader commented “People have elected us and we are doing what is right for them”. The meaning clearly was, “We are in power and we will do what we want to”. After that common man came to streets, protested for a law, transparency and value but was again thrown back and told that if you want to make laws then go fight elections and come elected.

Now it seems that common man has emerged back to from being suffered to bring suffering to those who think power is at their feet and they can do what they want. Really time has come when the common man has put his anger into the ballot box and told those power laden politicians that everybody has a right to ask and anybody can fight back to get his right. It is a pity that after close to seventy years of independence, democracy has to be explained to the parties by the common man again in a democratic country. The message is clear that our country will not be controlled by a dynasty or a person specific being nominated for PM.

The people who fought and emerged as a winner conveys a very clear message that in this era of globalization a common man needs to take more responsibility because he is one who can teach lessons to corrupt people, can eradicate poverty, can bring peace and harmony and can ensure a better world. And, Delhi assembly polls clearly show that a common man can outburst his anger, can how his will and fight to show the way even to the most powerful people in the country. I think this will make everybody understand that in democracy position is not permanent and only image is. I hope new people would also keep this in mind for future and will not deviate from their path.

The very known reason Why INA lost is.? - its poor governance, inability to control inflation, inability to maintain law and order, huge corruption scandals and playing conspicuously divisive politics whenever it tried to do something. These things can't be corrected in short time. It'll always take time. Now, they are pushed till the next elections. While, the Indians positioned a straight message to INA - Please ask Sonia to take her Italian Secularism with her. And also it is proven that how a single word “COMMON” at a very good time right up to its highest level. All these years, the Cong has remained arrogant and unconcerned about the common man, they always toed the line of the poor but did nothing for them either despite being voted into power. Now after getting a FAT KICK IN THE BACK, they all heard a message in the very known voice of the common man, how they all be trusted ?

Two timeless quotes which will remain relevant till life blossoms on the earth:

Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. - Mahatma Gandhi

Society does not go down because of the activities of criminals but because of the in-activities of the good people - Swami Vivekananda

Its a time in India for a second independence fight from inefficient, corrupt and dictatorial government. All the politicians seems failed and bankrupt with ideas, and there own liability. I am hoping the people of India will stop idolizing worship of those leaders; who brought down this once beautiful nation in the eyes of a common man, and India in the eyes of the world & hopefully opposition will rise up to restore the faith of the common man again.

My wishes to the common man for his success in true essence of democracy. He has been left behind in every manner and in every sense. Its a time to change. There are many way to make a difference. Here is one of those way to make difference to society and the whole message embedded in below four lines -::

हर एक बौना मेरे क़द को नापता है यहाँ ,

मैं सारे शहर से उलझूँ मेरे इलाही क्या ?

समय के एक तमाचे की देर है प्यारे!

मेरी फ़क़ीरी भी क्या?तेरी बादशाही क्या? ----- (तुफैल चतुर्वेदी)

Cheers!

Dhitendra

Keep Smiling :-)