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Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr.Brian Weiss – Book Review

November 30, 2008 Filed Under: Books By Ishrath Humairah 12 Comments

Many Master

Many Lives, Many Masters was lent to me by one of my friend and I did not bother much about it. The first page of dedication to his wife got me hooked. It was a wonderful sentence and the most unusual to read. I could almost connect with that sentence because at that point of time I craved for something beyond space and time. It felt surreal and I wanted to go onto the next page. Then I could identify the general theme and settings and could feel it more. After that, there was no looking back.

Many Lives, Many Masters is about a young patient named Catherine who was troubled with many fears, phobias and anxiety. She seeks psychiatric evaluation and Dr. Brian Weiss, a psychiatrist assists her in her therapy.

During the course of treatment, Dr. Brian Weiss stumbles upon some astonishing details that he himself finds it hard to believe. Raised in a medical and clinical environment, these findings do not come easy on him. He himself is shocked beyond measure. While one side of him demands clinical proof and validation, the other urges him to probe on.

With every session he has with Catherine, he discovers more and tries to unravel more of the other world that he never knew about. Through his patient, Dr. Brian Weiss discovers that there is a different kind of life, on a different level, that is always there. He discovers amazing messages and truths. His skepticism disappears only after he started to get the messages from the other side of the world, the space between lives. He learns about his life, his dead son and more. His faith in this grew when he came across some revelations about his family and son. He documents his findings and discoveries. He tries to fit himself in the universal phenomenon. By encouraging Catherine to relive her past and painful experiences, he begins to cure her. In the process of her cure, Dr. Weiss discovers the true meaning of life. It changed him forever.

And now this book, Many Lives, Many Masters, changes our lives. I can’t remember how many times I might have been misty eyed reading the simple messages of the masters. I think I had been waiting for something like this all the while. And I read it. I still read some of the messages from time to time.

It is very hard to comment upon a book that has touched you deep inside. I can only say that it was one of the most amazing books that made me cry. It is simple, concise, neat and wonderfully narrated.

Being a voracious reader, I had laid my hands on many kinds of books. Very rarely does one come across a book that makes your totally fascinated, engrossed and awed, all at the same time.

Many Lives, Many Masters has made me humble. It made me think beyond the worldly life.

Though it deals with subjects like re-incarnation and past life regression, it fell easy on my eyes and psyche. Growing up in an orthodox belief of one life and nothing beyond, this should have shocked me and made me reject the entire concept. But it did not. The more I read, the more wonderfully the book unraveled itself in front of me. It did not challenge my belief system. It just made me more appreciative of the life I lead. It made me look forward to everyday of my life. It helped me make peace with my state of mind and the problems I face in my daily life. It helped me grasp the meaning of misery I faced. It helped me come to terms with universal justice. It made me less finicky and more spiritual, with time.

I have read the author’s other books too. I find Many Masters Many Lives to be his best work till date. I am yet to come across such an engrossing and enlightening piece of work. I hold this book close to my heart.

I also belong to the medical and health fraternity. I can understand Dr. Brian’s skepticism and the quest for validating his findings. But I am also a great believer in the after-life, and the other part of the world which I do not fully understand at this point of time. I know that with time and perseverance, we all will find the real answers to the problems rocking our world today. I know that science and art will join hands to touch upon this wonderful and enchanting world that it still beyond our reach. I know that our souls will collectively reach there, soon. And the book confirms my beliefs.

Many Lives, Many Masters is truly a spiritual classic. It just teaches you to be simple and to love simply. It has some of the most beautiful, simple yt profound messages I have come across. I know its the easiest thing for us to follow the messages but at the same time, it is not. We have built walls around ourselves and our psyche, in order to survive in this world.

This book has touched everyone who has read it. When I lend it out to my friends, I get such wonderful feedback and they ask me for more.

The book says that it is ‘The true story of a prominent psychiatrist, his young patient, and the past-life therapy that changed both their lives’. It has changed mine. And it can change yours too, if you believe.

Simran Bhargava has One Life to Love

November 26, 2008 Filed Under: Everything Else By Ishrath Humairah 17 Comments

“Coffee’s at seven, god’s in his heaven, all is well with the world.”There are the incredibly profound yet the silliest words penned by this lady who intrigued me the first time I saw her on television. Simran Bhargava is no stranger to anyone anymore. Her show on NDTV Good Times, One Life to Love, is one of the best lifestyle talk shows on Indian television.

Simran Bhargava at a Book Event - Wish I had a better picture of her, here!

Simran Bhargava at a Book Event (Photo Credit – Prabhas Roy)

Simran anchors for this work-life-balance kind of a show that deals with many topics that the current generation identifies with – Money, stress, work balance, spirituality, burnout, health, alternative therapies, books, arts, art of living, and more. Her style of presenting has been applauded as zara-hatke and continues to touch millions of viewers from all parts of the globe.

Serious insights, little humor, active listening and a million-dollar-smile are the trademarks of her show. Be it my tired colleague, my jhola-wallah friend, or my bosses, all are in awe to this elegant lady who has got the eyeballs and the TRPs right.

This makes me wonder – what makes her so special?

When I first saw the show, she stood out more than anything or anyone else. The show topics were unusual, the story board was not sleek enough, she did look like the typical show anchor, she was not conventionally dressed, and she was talking too much sense… how unconventional and how imperfect is that!

And that’s exactly what makes Simran Bhargava my favorite – one of best hostess in the Indian television industry. Watching her on TV does not feel like watching TV.

There is an immediate connection with Simran, as if we have known her all along. Is it to do with her way of talk, words, looks, dress sense, expressions, flashy smile revealing too many teeth or the whole bundle? We don’t care any less. I think we connect with her because she is imperfect.

She comes across as honest in every topic she covers. There is sincerity in purpose, which we seldom come across in our daily lives. She goes beyond the working-for-a-living concept by stirring in a bit more soul in her work.

We like the program because it not as jazzy as others and is a little less air brushed. We like her show because we too want to hear what her guests have to say. We like the laziness with which the show meanders from start to conclusion, leaving us delightfully enlightened. Her words and sentences strike an immediate chord with us. Most of the times she always says what was always known but unsaid.

The first time I saw one life to love, I was quite intrigued by the over-the-top anchor trying too hard to listen and make sense of what was being said. A little later when she responded back with her understanding of the topic and her addition to the gyan, it was more than obvious that this lady knew exactly what was being discussed and that she can speak her mind too. I liked her in the first episode itself. Even today when I am surfing channels (which I do), I make it a point to pause a lot longer than usual to catch the glimpse of the lady in question and the topic being discussed.

When I realised that the show topics were just too right for the emerging audience, I wanted to know more about her and if I can get to see more of her somewhere. Random Googling threw disappointing results leading me nowhere. Wish I knew more of this wonderfully reserved lady. But hang on, what I did discover was that she was a famous columnist writing for the Financial Express. Good. Now, what did she write? Googled again.

It was quite a long time since I came across some good read and Simran’s writing just delighted me to the core. Her selection of topics and her style of writing leave me deeply impressed.

I was happy to read her past articles and read them again and again. That was when I realised what a wonder-power-house of talent she is. A case in point is her famous article on Coffee called In Search Of A Perfect Cup Of Coffee. It is such a joy to read it. Does not matter if you love or hate coffee, you will end up loving her for her love for the cuppa. I simply adore the way she puts her thoughts on paper. I hope to collect more of her works in future.

I guess Simran’s writing style mantra would be: Take one topic at a time. Love it. Live it. Love over it. Do it completely. Then put it on paper. Reading her articles is pleasure… which we do not get as often as we like. I guess I can never have enough of her writing.

Longing to return to roots, smell the jasmine flowers, feel the earth, walk barefoot, go-hand-in-hand, are some of the things I can associate Simran with. Her simple style of writing and presenting endears one and all. I am glad that her education in Stanford and her stints at the leading houses like Cosmopolitan, Financial Express, etc., have not ruined her. Simple and down-to-earth – Simran Bhargava is the quinssential what-you-see-is-what-you-get person. I do not think there is another facet of her, any less beautiful than this.

For now, Simran Rocks! I wish her good luck, good health, happiness and peace. I hope that I get to see more of her.

To me, Simran will always remain – a beautiful mind.

Here are some of the assorted articles by Simran Bhargava that I found on the web. I hope the links are correct/ no copyrights violated and that the works are indeed hers. Happy Reading!

Simran in Search Of A Perfect Cup Of Coffee

Simran’s musings – A Life-Changing Period Of Doing Nothing

Simran Bhargava in conversation with Deepak Chopra about Love

The Afternoon Apathy Syndrome by Simran Bhargava

Simran’s powerpoints on Bringing Business Presentations To Life

From Just A Short Decade Ago by Simran Bhargava

Simran Bhargava voices on The Power Of Speaking Well

Simran Bhargava’s take on The Great Indian Wedding Tamasha

The Art Of Personal Energy Management – by Simran Bhargava

If you come across any more exciting reads, please let me know :o) Thanks.

Kitchen Soup for the Soul

November 25, 2008 Filed Under: Everything Else By Ishrath Humairah 1 Comment

I cannot cook every day.

I do not cook every day.

I do not like to cook everyday.

But I am nothing short of admiration for the women who live their life in kitchens – cooking for their spouses, kids and everyone else. I have seen my beloved aunts slog their lives next to the stove. Their only priority was to get hot steaming food on the dining table. Their evening teatime would be spent chopping vegetables, their phone conversations would be about the meals made and recipes exchanged, their trips to super market would center on the menu for the week. They would also smell of the dish they had cooked. I admire their energy and their idea of loving through the ladle and stirring in the much-needed TLC in our lives. But it saddens me that they have no time to try out any other way of expressing their love.

The famous quotation, “that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, is kind of indigestible to me. These women toil endlessly in the kitchen to put forth this perfectly delectable meal for their loved ones. Only to be met by their spouse who does not think much about it, who cannot compliment, who cannot take time out to appreciate the hard work, as this is their way of everyday life. The kids do not think much and gulp down the food – which in most cases is not as palatable as the junk food would be.

I always cringed at the kind of example they would be for their kids. The young girls would take it as a done way of life. The boys think that that’s the way a woman should be. This makes me feel sorry for them but angry as well for letting others entertain these thoughts.

More often than not, these lovely women do this because they have no other choice. Tradition demands women to stay at home while the man provides for the family.

Put those same women on your office desk and she can put most of blue-collared employees to shame. I would say that her skills in planning, organisation, inventory management, procurement, resource management, marketing, execution, monitoring and control, process improvements and quality, are something we all could learn from. Heck if you thought that they teach this kind of stuff only in PMP and premier business schools.

Real education beings at home.

Next time you jot down a good recipie from the queen of the kitchen, just be aware of the wisdom and tempering that went into it. It is coming down from a very wise soul who has seen more life, more food, more fuss, and probably more pain than you. These are the real women of steel, who in their own ways mastered the art of life, and find their little moments of peace in their kitchens.

The Martha Stewarts, Nigellas, and Gordon Ramseys may have fired up our culinary imagination but we have been learning unconsciously all this while – watching our loved ones sweat it out.

I remember how effortlessly my grandmother cooked for 15 people over a charcoal stove, huffing and puffing endlessly, showing no signs of fatigue. She loved to cook. She loved to serve. She loved to feed. She loved to love in her own way. Those awesome caring genes somehow must have made way through the next generation as my mother and my aunts are remarkable cooks in their own ways. While one reigns over the taste buds, the other offers a-la-carte spread in less than half hour. They ensure that no one leaves the house on an empty stomach.

I am not an extreme feminist but most of the best cooks that I have seen are the old ladies. I consider them the real kitchen queens. Nothing can dispute their authority over the spice box, the kadai and the ladles. This is with no disrespect to the quinssential male chefs who offer equally delicious food. But hey, something is always missing in that. Love? Or a woman’s touch?

I also think that cooking helps us cope with the daily stress of living in this mad world. There have been a lot of studies and suggestions that cooking can be an enjoyable experience. I have experienced it myself.

I am not a daily three-square-meals-a-day cook. I cook when I like. I love to cook when I really want to cook. Sometimes for my loved ones and sometimes for myself. Be it our daal-chaawal daily bread or an exotic feast, I have loved the experience.

Julienne carrots or cubing cottage cheese, I love to do it all. It’s calming, it is humbling, its peaceful, and feels like butterflies. I never quite figured out the big fuss about wanting to cut vegetables. As I write this, I realise that I would love to do that myself. Maybe because it feels good. Because I love the feel of the vegetable. Because I like the labour – the toil. Because I see the fruit of labour right in front of my eyes. Because the effect is so calming, so peaceful, so close to meditation. Now I know why. Now I know why everyone lends a hand to cut vegetables.

I guess that’s why my mother still likes to cut the vegetables even though I think it is too much of hard work and I try to take over. Hang on! I guess we both are vying for the most enjoyable task. I guess, I will let my mom have that little piece of joy.

This can go on and on… will update it some other day…

Book Review – Memoirs of a Geisha

November 23, 2008 Filed Under: Books By Ishrath Humairah 3 Comments

Memoirs of a Geisha - A Book Review

Memoirs of a Geisha is a story about a young girl called Chiyo Chan who lives in a village along with her parents and sister. Poverty coupled with mother’s illness forces the father to sell his children to an acquaintance. The girls believe that they will be adopted by another person who is good. Only later do they realize that their world has fallen apart as they both are sold, separated and sent to different geisha houses.

The separation led to Chiyo’s entry into the Geisha household (also known as Okiya). This is the turning point in her life. Here, she gets her name ‘Sayuri’ and begins to lead a life totally alien and intimidating to her. Step by step, she comes to terms with the hardships. Little by little she understands her plight, her misery, helplessness and the mysteries of life.

In the Okiya, she learns about what a geisha is. She slogs in the house, works endlessly, gets beaten up, and is treated badly by Hatsumomo, another geisha of the house. Though she is fascinated by the dress, makeup and lifestyle of the geisha, she has her share of bitterness and misery.

The turning point in the story is when Sayuri meets a man who says some kind words to her. She remembers him fondly throughout her trials and trysts with life. She hopes to meet him someday. She does not know if she loves him but she hopes for him endlessly. In the meanwhile Sayuri is taken under the wing of another geisha named Mameha, who teaches her the finer life and living of a geisha, all the while plotting the downfall of Hatsumomo.

The rest of the story goes on describe how Sayuri transforms in a beautiful geisha. Her transformation is complete. She is introduced to the tea-houses. She meets people and gives them company. Mameha ensures that Sayuri is well taken care of and continually teaches her the fine nuances of being a Geisha.

Memoirs of a Geisha is a fictional story intertwined with facts. The period in which the story was set was turbulent. There were difficult times when the geishas did not have enough to live properly. Their funds and resources were incredibly low. Being a Geisha or a princess, the trials and tribulations of life do not excuse anyone. Even in the rich brocade ensemble is the trial and tryst of the poor young woman. With no one to look back to or ahead for, the reader can sympathize with Sayuri. Not because she is the central character of the book, but for the fact that she is a human too. A human being who has been subjected to a world she would have never wanted to be in.

The book is a wonderful narration of the life of a geisha. It begins slowly and ends beautifully. The book is always better than the movie as it lets you weave your own imagination.

The character of Sayuri has been sketched wonderfully by the author. Sayuri is one personality you will be completely sympathetic to. Her life, trials, trysts, dreams, wishes, and fantasies become yours. The book is about the 25 years of her life. From being a small village girl, thrown into painful circumstances, brought up in the geisha’s house, slogging under the okiya, and becoming a geisha herself, you feel and empathize with sayuri. Her helplessness, her anger and bitterness are felt. There is so much emotion that gets conveyed that you almost feel she had been with you all the while.

Memoirs of a Geisha gives us a new perspective of life. Life of a geisha is not roses and voilets. They cannot have their own will. Half their life goes in getting beaten up and trained and another half goes in taking care and training the other one. It is cruel by circumstance. There is not much money or wealth left with them as most of their earnings go to the upkeep of their ‘mother’ or ‘the okiya’.

It gives a new perspective about the life of Geishas whom I erstwhile thought to be premium prostitutes. It is a fine dividing line.

Geishas are not exactly prostitutes but a companion who comes at a price and with whom the men can spend time with. Geishas are exclusive women with training in finer aspects of life such as art, tea-ceremonies, singing, etc. But there are some geishas who sell themselves. We do not know if all geishas are like that. Geisha are mostly in the company of men but utterly lonely. More often than not, they are being paid to be in the company of men and serve them, and this does not relive them of their loneliness. Their only other company is other geishas who are competitive themselves, to the extent of being cut-throat. And they are not supposed to be having boyfriends, companions or husbands. This makes their life all the more pathetic.

Memoirs of a Geisha does full justice to the life of a geisha. It does not malign them nor ridicules them. It celebrates the uncertainness of life.

This is one of the most painful yet hopeful novels I had come across. All the while I read, I hoped that Sayuri’s life changes or that she dies to escape her painful life. I kept hoping that things would be better for her. Her pain was indeed painful and there was no reason why she should be suffering so much.

But as we draw close to the end of the book, lovely surprises await. Suddenly there is so much hope and happiness in her life that you cry out of joy. The last few pages of the book were indeed soul warming. You could feel her love and longing.

Memoirs of a Geisha is one of the most heartening novels I had come across. I recommend this book to anyone who would be interested to know about Geishas, Japanese Tea Ceremonies, Second World War Times and its difficulties, and the general scenario in Japan.

Memoirs of a Geisha gives us a fascinating insight for those who are not well versed with the Japanese culture and helps us appreciate it.

Memoirs of a Geisha has also been made into a movie by Sony Pictures.

Recipie – Tomato Chutney in a Jiffy

November 15, 2008 Filed Under: DIYs and Crafts By Ishrath Humairah Leave a Comment

There are a hundred ways to make that quinnsential tomato chutney/ dip. This is our emergency lip smacking fix – a life saver.

All Time Chutneys - Tomatoes Tempered in India Spices

All Time Chutneys - Tomatoes Tempered in Indian Spices

4 Red Tomatoes – chopped/ squashed
1 Onion – sliced
Cumin seeds
Red Chillies
Curry Leaves
Ginger + Garlic
Salt (as per taste)
Coriander leaves.

Heat oil. Add red chillies, cumin, curry leaves for tempering. To this tadka, add onions and ginger garlic paste and tomaotes. Add salt. Stir well. Garnish with coriander leaves.
Serve with other dishes.