Book Review: “Inner Pilgrimage: Ten Days to a Mindful Me” by Raji Lukkoor

with His Holiness S. N. Goenka

A young woman’s yearning for inner peace is about to be realized–at a trip to the woods to unlock the secrets of the ever-thinking mind. Hosted by spiritual master S. N. Goenka, a ten-day vipassana meditation retreat that she attends irrevocably alters her perspective…and her future. Inner Pilgrimage: Ten Days to a Mindful Me is a comprehensive, moment-by-moment description of the author’s ten-day vipassana meditation retreat. The story unfolds with her arrival at the retreat as an ordinary citizen seeking a calmer, more centered existence. Sacrificing every luxury and self-indulgence, and following a rigid daily routine that excludes reading, writing, praying, listening to music, watching TV, and talking, the author spends ten hours every day, meditating.  Inner Pilgrimage provides rich imagery and clearly articulated details of the author’s physical experience and her mental & emotional states, during sustained meditation. It provides a compelling insight into her experience of discovering the realm and rewards of vipassana meditation. (from Goodreads) 

Raji Lukkoor’s experience on a vipassana meditation retreat inspired her to craft the book:  “Inner Pilgrimage:  Ten Days to a Mindful Me”.  I was immediately drawn to the words in the title:  “Inner Pilgrimage”, “Mindful Me”.   The words conveyed a feeling of calm and serenity, along with a desire to discover self. 

Vipassana meditation, also known as insight meditation, is a journey of personal awareness that can transform the quality of our lives.  And this book is about one person’s journey with vipassana meditation, as experienced on a ten day retreat. 

This vipassana meditation retreat consisted of ten hours of silent and motionless meditation, every day, for ten days in a row.  As a participant, Raji Lukkoor, the book’s author, spent that meditative time sitting cross-legged, (the typical meditation pose), with pillows propped under her knees and ultimately ignoring all sensory experience outside of her body.  There were teaching sessions, via DVD, that spoke to the proper ways of meditating, and breathing as a whole body experience.  This particular vipassana retreat is styled using the methods in the tradition of S.N. Goenka, a vipassana spiritual master, of the Buddhist tradition. 

Raji describes the location of the retreat as being in the middle of nowhere, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, U.S.A.  The accommodations are quite sparse – gender-segregated group cottages, with heat and lighting, beds, bedding, bathrooms and showers.  No access to the outside world, no reading material, no journal writing.  And the first thing Raji had to consider was locating a place to sleep.  I identified with Raji’s determination to find a place where she would be comfortable to sleep for ten days.  I have never attended a vipassana meditation retreat, but I have attended other types of silent retreats, all of various durations.  Getting ‘settled’ and feeling comfortable in the sleeping area is very important.  What is new to me is the requirement to remain motionless for ten hours of active meditation.  It intrigues me, but I am not sure I would have Raji’s stamina! If you connected the lack of writing supplies on the retreat, to the writing of this book, you will realize that Raji Lukkoor wrote this book based on her memory and experience of those ten days – and that I find remarkable.  To me that means that this retreat made such a deep impression on Raji, had such meaning in her life, she was able to write about it many days after its end. And not just a re-telling of the events of those ten days. 

Raji Lukkoor

Raji Lukkoor was able to step back in time, to the first day of her vipassana meditation retreat, and bring us, the reader, along for the journey.  We travelled with her as she settled herself in her sleeping area, and checked the bath and shower accommodations.  We joined her negative and positive reactions to the dietary rules and conditions.  As Raji struggled to learn vipassana meditation, we captured the moments with her.  The seating challenges, the physical wins and the physical losses. Lukkoor’s detail focused, sharp engineer’s mind, plus her gifts as a writer brought the reader directly into the centre of the retreat.  We see the balance tip between the whole experience as overwhelming, and the whole experience as life-changing.  As the book comes to conclusion, Raji excitedly travels home bringing with her new spiritual skills to use in her everyday life.  A life in which, she feels more aware and more authentic. 

This book is not an answer to all questions about vipassana, nor is it an instructional manual.  It is one person’s experience.  Within the book, Raji does point us in a direction that will give us additional information and assistance, should we choose to study vipassana meditation more extensively.  Belonging to the Buddhist tradition is not necessary, in order to experience vipassana.  Raji herself had no Buddhist background. 

This is among the best inspirational books that I have read.  I was inspired by Raji Lukkoor’s personal spiritual journey.  I was inspired by this new-to-me form of meditation.  And I was inspired to sincerely look where in my life, I can move from restlessness to calm, from cloudiness to clarity. 

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For me, the Joy of the Written Word is written throughout “Inner Pilgrimage:  Ten Days to a Mindful Me” by Raji Lukkoor. 

Choose Joy! 

Patricia

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Book Review: Author: Eileen Flanagan “The Wisdom to Know the Difference – When to Make a Change–and When to Let Go”

From Powell’s Books:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can change; and wisdom to know the difference.
Millions of people have been moved by these famous last lines from the Serenity Prayer to make important and lasting changes in their lives. But how exactly can we know the difference? How can we acknowledge the real limits that we face without negating the possibility for dramatic change? In this wise book, Eileen Flanagan guides readers in determining what they can-or perhaps should- change in their lives, accepting what they cannot, and discovering the “wisdom to know the difference.”

I have a confession to make…….

I have had the book “The Wisdom to Know the Difference”, by Eileen Flanagan, for approximately three months, (maybe a little longer), and I have been reading it for approximately two months, (maybe a little longer). For someone who is generally a quick reader, this has seemed like a long time. Or has it?

A few weeks ago I emailed the author, explaining that the reason the book took me so long to read, was actually her fault!! (Nervy, right?). Well, I did not phrase it exactly that way – ‘her fault’. What I actually said was: “If the book was not so well written, I would have been finished reading it a long time ago!!” And what I actually meant was, had I not been so drawn into the book, its topic, and its effect on my life, I would have been finished reading it much sooner.

Yes, that’s my confession…. This book so impacted me on a personal level, I had to take it in slowly, digest it, and incorporate it into my life.

As a prayer, ‘The Serenity Prayer’, has not been a favourite of mine. My husband, on the other hand, has always had a deep connection with this prayer. As a result, he has tried to help me understand why this prayer is powerful. I always kind of fluffed him away. “Yah, yah, serenity, courage, wisdom – whatever…..”. I had my own favourite prayers.

At the end of May 2011, I read a post by Eileen Flanagan, looking for book reviewers. While writing book reviews was a new idea for me, reading books certainly was not! I replied to Eileen and a couple of weeks later the book arrived in my mail, sent free of charge, for my impartial review. The act itself was spur of the moment, and I spent the next few weeks furtively looking at this book, about this prayer that was not one of my favourites!! I must have been crazy to volunteer for this task! Toward the end of June 2011, I ventured into Eileen’s world, and began to learn a little more about this prayer, and how it has impacted a number of lives, (and not just my husband’s!).

Eileen does not simply go out into the world, ask people if they know the prayer, then ask their opinion of it. Rather, Eileen’s choice of people to write about, are clearly a small sampling of a much larger group interviewed for this book. We learn about these individuals, their life stories, and how the emotions of The Serenity Prayer have played out in their lives. One of Eileen’s literary devices is that throughout the book, some of these main characters reappear. It is not just a matter of them being introduced and described to us, but, at key intervals throughout the text, Eileen brings them back by reminding us of their stories, and how their stories continue to evolve – with The Serenity Prayer continuing to play an important role. In some cases, the individuals themselves are not necessarily aware they are living out the prayer. And that is one of my favourite portions of the book. People, who live according to their own values and characteristics, yet can be an example to me, the reader, of the impact of this powerful prayer. (Notice I now say “powerful prayer”….don’t mention that to my husband….!)
Eileen Flanagan has a knack of writing that I find particularly appealing – repetition. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do not mean simply stating the same thing over and over. What I mean is gently, without boredom, Eileen imprints key points for the reader. Making her points stronger over time, but in each telling and sharing, being done in new and informative ways. One of my favourite Christian writers – Ronald Rolheiser – has this same story-telling knack. Gentle – soft – peaceful. Bringing the reader to an “Ah-Ha” moment with skill and dexterity, without being the least bit repetitive or tedious. It is a tremendous way to learn new concepts and thought processes.
Through the reference to other Christian authorities, Eileen brings additional credibility to her own research, and a familiarity to her writings. And not only do we learn more about key characters, as we move forward in Eileen’s book, the author brings forward earlier concepts. Once again, bringing us to a deeper understanding of what Eileen’s focus is on.

The Serenity Prayer holds some big words: serenity, courage, wisdom. Eileen starts by narrowing down these words, to smaller, everyday expressions, phrases, and examples; and concludes the book by bringing them all together in the amazing words of the prayer itself. (Notice I now say “amazing words of the prayer”……do you think I need to share this with my husband?!)

My journey with this prayer, with this book, “The Wisdom to Know the Difference”, has been a very personal one, and this is not the place for review of my prayer journey. But, this is the place for a review of this book. And my opinion to you is that your own prayer journey will not be complete without spending some time with The Serenity Prayer, and definitely some significant time with Eileen Flanagan’s book: “The Wisdom to Know the Difference – When to Make a Change – and When to Let Go”.

P.S. I have since confessed all to my husband, and now, this book is on his reading list!

 

Scripture Reflection Mark 5: 25-26

When I read and reviewed Cynthia Patterson’s book, “It Had to Happen”, (see my post of July 16, 2011), I was taken aback by which scripture passage Cynthia had chosen – Mark 5:25-26. Almost exactly ten years ago that passage was given to me for meditation – for me to put myself in the role of the hemorrhaging woman longing to be cured by Jesus. It was suggested to me that instead of hemorrhaging, I could substitute a real health issue that I was dealing with – whatever that might be.

The date was July 15, 2001.

I returned to my room, sat on the windowsill, and placed myself in the crowd scene with Jesus. And as I did that I began to long for a cure, and I knew that all I had to do was touch the hem of His garment. If I could only reach Him, I need to get closer, if I can but touch a small edge of His garment, my pain will dissolve:

Jesus is Waiting for Me

I call out for help
He’s moving too fast
He’s too far ahead
I cannot keep up.

I’m unable to run
I can’t move any faster
Don’t leave ‘til I get there
Hey, Jesus! Wait up!

He stops and He turns
He seems to be thinking
He seems to look back

Is He looking for me?
Is He waiting for me??

I fall and I stumble
While tears fill my eyes
I cannot quite get there
He seems to hear my cry
Hey, Jesus! Wait up!

I fall and I hurt
Where does this pain come from?
I blink through my tears
And now see His face
He turns and He smiles

He’s smiling at me!
Jesus is waiting for me!!

–

Patricia
Choose Joy!

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It Definitely Had to Happen!! Book Review!!

It Had to Happen” – written by Cynthia A. Patterson

One of our biggest hurdles in life is letting go of our past. As humans we seem to want to linger in the past, especially dwelling on our times of illness, suffering, and loss. The question that repeats itself is: “Why?”, “Why did this happen?”, “Why now?”, and “Why me?”

In the book “It Had to Happen”, Cynthia Patterson assists us in moving past the “Why’s”, and moving forward with the understanding that our past is necessary for our future; even the rough past, maybe especially the rough past. In less than 100 pages Cynthia Patterson brings the reader to not only acknowledge the past, (the good and the rough), but to move forward from that past to the present life. A pathway that is unique to each reader.

Even when some of the author’s life examples, life wounds, did not directly apply to me, Patterson’s skilled prose led me to an alternative place – that was uniquely mine. I would suggest that it will be the same for any reader poised to move forward on their life’s spiritual journey.

When I read a book, such as this book, which has questions at the end of each chapter, I sometimes bypass those questions – and therefore the subsequent internal work those questions imply!! Sometimes.

However, you know the phrase: “She had me at `Hello'”? Well, Cynthia had me at the very first question at the end of Chapter 1. The Journal Reflections, which repeat themselves at the end of every chapter, fit together with the questions in unique and compelling ways. Cynthia calls her questions: “Discovery Questions” and they are just that.

“It Had to Happen – Understanding that Everything You Go Through in Life is for God’s Purpose” is fully realized step by step, leading the reader to the revelation that everything truly did have to happen – for you to journey your own unique path during this life.

For her biblical connection, the author chose a passage from The Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9 – the woman with the issue of blood. Now, do not be put off by this scripture passage, it is simply referring to a woman with some sort of health issue. Basically referring to each of us, with our everyday health and spiritual challenges, whatever they may be.

Whether you are new to a quest of self discovery and personal faith, or seeking to deepen your connection with God and self, “It Had to Happen” is an enlightening place with which to move forward. It is a book that invites the reader back time and time again, with each reading bringing you closer and closer to your inner self and ultimately to God.

“It Had to Happen” is a definite `keeper’ on my personal bookshelf!

Cynthia Patterson introduced her book by stating that we would embark on a journey – that we would visit our past – and that we would see the direction of our future. And for me, it happened! “It Had to Happen”!