Karma by Sadhguru (Book Review: 4.75*/5) !!!

2157th BLOG POST 

24th Book of 2025

Whenever I feel that my life is not on the right trajectory, the one thing my mind, body, and every element within me naturally gravitates towards is spirituality. And the one go-to person I trust the most on this subject is Jaggi Vasudev—Sadhguru. His previous books have had a deep impact on me, such as Inner Engineering, Body, Mind & Spirit, Adiyogi, Death, and others. Finally, I picked up one of his most popular books, “Karma”, which carries the tagline A Yogi’s Guide to Crafting Your Destiny. This 336-page book was published in 2021, and I honestly don’t know how it took me four years to finally read and complete it.

 

This also marks my final book for the 2025 reading challenge of 24 books. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to complete this target than with such a soulful and spiritual read—one that added a new dimension and perspective to my thought process. We often use the word karma very casually, without reflecting on the deeper meaning and philosophy it carries. Sadhguru makes a sincere effort to explain how complex and layered the science of karma truly is, while simultaneously presenting it in a way that feels accessible and easy to grasp.

 

The narration and division of chapters are well executed, making it easier for readers to navigate the book without feeling overwhelmed. I read it in multiple sittings, and not once did I feel disconnected or lost despite the breaks. Kudos to both the author and the editor for maintaining such clarity and flow throughout the book.

 

Each chapter begins with a quote that is deep and impactful in its own way. These quotes gently push the reader to dive deeper into the chapter that follows. The way the book is structured reminded me of college textbooks—where we are first given the background, followed by definitions, and then gradually introduced to the complexity of the subject with each progressing chapter.

 

Sadhguru discusses karma from the perspectives of genetics and memory, which was particularly intriguing. It is surprising to learn how people from the same genetic lineage can experience certain benefits when even a few individuals within that lineage engage in karmic purification practices. Often, when Sadhguru begins a chapter, you may wonder how it connects to the book’s central theme—but as you keep reading, the connection unfolds naturally and convincingly.

 

He also provides context on how physical relationships contribute to bodily karma, explaining why ascetics traditionally avoid them in order to minimize karmic attachments. Similarly, he briefly explains why it is advised not to engage in multiple physical relationships. One entire chapter focuses on why the spiritual path must be walked alone—because only then can an individual fully work on releasing their own karma.

 

The Shankaran Pillai episodes are, as always, humorous and refreshing. In several chapters, there are sections titled Sadhana, which describe simple spiritual practices that can help release karma in everyday life. These sections add great value by emphasizing practical application rather than limiting the book to theoretical understanding alone.

 

Overall, this is one of the finest books by Sadhguru, offering profound insights into karma and various spiritual dimensions. I would rate this book 4.75 stars out of 5. It is definitely recommended.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Goa : Subodh Kerkar’s Canvas by Subodh/Kunal Ray (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2156th BLOG POST

23^rd Book of 2025

Some books are not meant to be read in a hurry; they ask to be absorbed the way one absorbs a place—slowly, through layers of memory, emotion, and silence. Goa: Subodh Kerkar’s Canvas is one such book. It does not merely document art; it meditates on a land, its waters, and the long shadows of its history. When I had received this book, I had thought that I would finish it within 15 minutes because of 35-pages text and rest of it displaying the artwork of the author but when I started reading it, these 35 pages took an hour for me to read. It sounded so poetic and serene that I really felt that the whole Goa and its history, silence, peace and ocean are running in front of my eyes.

 

Subodh Kerkar’s Goa is not the postcard paradise we are conditioned to admire. It is alive, bruised, playful, and deeply introspective. Through paintings, installations, and experimental works, Kerkar turns Goa into a living archive—one where beauty and discomfort coexist without apology. The book gently reminds us that art need not always soothe; sometimes, its role is to disturb just enough to awaken thought.

 

What makes this collection compelling is the artist’s refusal to separate aesthetics from responsibility. Alongside lyrical representations of houses, boats, and coastal life, there exists an unflinching engagement with darker chapters of Goan history—colonial violence, the Inquisition, and the exploitation that arrived with foreign rule. Yet, Kerkar never allows the narrative to become heavy-handed. There is wit, irony, and even playfulness—most memorably in works that reimagine historical figures through absurd, almost childlike symbolism.

 

Kerkar’s gaze is observant and democratic. Fisherfolk, food, shells, laterite, sand, and sea are all granted equal dignity. His choice of material—terracotta, crochet, ink, light, even living oysters—blurs the line between art and environment. The ocean is not a backdrop here; it is a collaborator. Nature breathes through these works, reminding us that culture and ecology are inseparable.

 

Reading this book feels like walking barefoot along a beach scattered with memories—some warm, some sharp. It urges the reader to look again at Goa, beyond tourism and nostalgia, and to recognize it as a space of resilience and resistance. In doing so, Goa: Subodh Kerkar’s Canvas becomes more than an art book; it becomes a quiet philosophical statement on place, identity, and the enduring power of creative dissent.

 

It has been for the very first time that I have read a book based on painting where the author’s intent and approach is mentioned first and then the book is full of his artwork that speaks for itself. The book made me feel like visiting author’s museum in Goa as well. If you have ever travelled to Goa or it’s your favorite destination like me, please get this book as your coffee table favorite. I give this 4.5* out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

The Rabbit in the Moon by Meena Arora Nayak (Book Review: 3.25*/5) !!!

2155th BLOG POST

22nd Book of 2025

Some books do not rush to impress; they sit quietly beside you, like a wise elder, waiting for the reader to slow down. The Rabbit in the Moon by Meena Arora Nayak is one such book. Rooted in the timeless wisdom of the Panchatantra, it brings back stories many of us may have heard in fragments during childhood, yet presents them with a freshness that feels both comforting and relevant.

 

The book retells two powerful tales: The Tale of How the Bedbug’s Selfishness Cost the Louse Her Life and The Tale of How the Rabbit in the Moon Saved His Relatives. Though simple on the surface, both stories gently unfold deeper truths about life, choices, and consequences. The author’s language is lucid and unpretentious, allowing the moral to emerge naturally rather than being forcefully stated. This makes the reading experience meditative rather than instructional.

 

What stands out is how effortlessly these ancient stories mirror modern realities. The tale of the bedbug and the louse is a quiet reminder of how reckless behavior, impatience, and selfish ambition can destroy not only the wrongdoer but also the innocent. It speaks subtly about the dangers of bad company and poor judgment—lessons that remain painfully relevant in today’s fast-paced, outcome-obsessed world.

 

On the other hand, the story of the rabbit offers a soothing counterbalance. It celebrates intelligence, calm thinking, and moral courage over brute strength. The rabbit’s wisdom becomes a metaphor for leadership rooted in compassion and clarity, reminding readers that true power lies in presence of mind rather than physical dominance.

 

Meena Arora Nayak deserves appreciation for preserving the soul of the Panchatantra while making it accessible to young readers and equally meaningful for adults. The Rabbit in the Moon is not merely a children’s book; it is a gentle pause, a reflective read that invites us to look inward.

 

In a world that constantly urges us to run faster, this book softly asks us to think wiser—and that, perhaps, is its greatest strength. The biggest drawback of the book is its cost- Rs. 250 which I believe is quite much considering it has just two short stories for little Kids. Publishers must think something about this. Overall, I give this book 3.25* out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA