"I
have studied the book and I liked particularly
the chapter "The lightness of being"
and the lines "Last but not the least is
the big delusion… that the ego-self is
the 'doer'".
–
A P J Abdul Kalam, Former President, Republic
of India
"For those of us who have spent many years
in teaching and counselling bright young people,
this book comes as a blessing. In simple language,
it shows how to gain an inner awareness which
brings peace, uniting us to each other and to
the whole universe. Its most valuable lesson
is that a practical spirituality is possible
within everyone's daily activities, including
the pursuit of a successful career."
–
Fr Lancy Pereira, S J, Former Principal, St
Xavier’s College, Mumbai
"This book takes the mystery out of the
awakened mind and provides a context in which
to utilize its teaching of awareness, in one’s
everyday life experiences."
–
Patt Lynd-Kyle, Author of When Sleeping Beauty
Wakes Up
"It is a simple but incisive unfolding
of how to stop shuttling between achieving dreams,
punctuated by commas, and attain that one-stop
dream which gives an infinite sense of fulfilment."
–
Prof. Rekha Rau, K J Somaiya Institute of Management
Studies and Research, Mumbai
"This
book is a brilliant piece of work, especially
commendable for the sheer lucidity with which
the metaphysical dimension is presented. I enjoyed
it immensely."
— Subir Chakraborty, Kolkata, India
"I
haven’t read anything more truthful and
refreshing. I guess when truth strikes, it strikes
hard."
— R Shiv Shanker, University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign, USA
"This
book helped me realize how much I was in the
grip of my ego-self. I found it particularly
relevant because of all the academic allusions.
The last two chapters are absolutely exquisite."
— Prof. Bharath Sethuraman, California
State University, Northridge, USA
"This
is a wonderful thought-provoking book which
de-stresses the mind. It is a ‘must-read’
book for all in the teaching profession."
— Renu and B S Murty,
IIT Madras, Chennai, India
"Now
and then a book comes along that makes you pause
and compels you to take stock of your life.
This is one such book. Its insights seem true,
not because of any underlying logic, but because
deep down you already know them to be true.
Succintly put and hard-hitting."
—
Siddharth Savadatti, IIT Madras alumnus, Chennai
"I
encountered this book at the right moment in
my life. It really made me stop and think. I
go back to it again and again to find answers
to many questions in life."
–
R Pandia Raj, M.S. Research Scholar, IIT Madras
"It was a totally engrossing read. At least
during the reading time, I was able to see through
the camouflage called ‘ego-self’,
to discover and awaken its dormant counterpart,
the 'pure-self', and awaken and experience some
moments of quiet bliss".
–
Praveen Mookoni, Software Consultant, Fidelity
Investments, Boston, USA
"I found this book to be most enjoyable,
very educative and providing considerable exercise
for my mind (as different from brain). In particular,
the idea that "we should enjoy the present
rather than worry about the future" is
wonderfully described in this book. Also, the
conflicts of the ego-self are brought out clearly;
these are the conflicts that we as teachers
and coaches need to continually work to resolve
in today's highly competitive world."
–
M Krishnakumar, Management Consultant and Tennis
Coach, Kinesis, Bangalore
"I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful book.
The way Dr Menon unfolds the mysteries of minds
caught in the vortex of present-day materialism
is lucid and enlightening. This book is a great
treasure and I recommend it wholeheartedly to
everyone for awakening and re-energizing."
–
P. Y. Manjure, Director, The Freyssinet Prestressed
Concrete Co. Ltd., Mumbai.
It
is customary and common for college professors
to author books based on their areas of research
and teaching. But IIT Madras structural engineering
professor Devdas Menon has done the unusual
by authoring a book that is miles away from
any engineering subject. His book, "Stop
sleepwalking through life!" published by
Yogi Impressions in 2004, resembles the content
that one would find in the Upanishads, Zen Buddhism,
Taoism or the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and
J. Krishnamurti.
In a hundred or so lucid, easy-to-read pages,
Dr. Menon deals with an array of topics that
are fundamentally about INNER AWAKENING. The
author delves into subjects like education,
suffering, the unpreparedness for the eventuality
of death, the entrapment by the ego-self, the
resistance to awakening, the power of awareness,
and enlightenment. He writes with deep understanding
and insight. The tone is thoughtful and reflective,
not preachy or morose.
The challenges faced by humankind in the 21st
century require the inner awakening that Dr.
Menon writes about. Otherwise, the ability of
the human species to cope with (often) self-inflicted
problems is in doubt. We may drown in our own
vile juices. As concerned inhabitants of this
beautiful planet, we should pay serious attention
to the topics in Dr. Menon's book. Reading the
book would be an excellent start, to be followed
by reflection, discussion and personal exploration/
validation.
-- Sudhir Krishna (IIT Madras B.Tech. 1976,
now in the U.S.)
