Review of Looking Inwards
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Jaituni Sanghavi
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Review of Looking Inwards
[Following is a volunteer review of "Looking Inwards" by Sameer Pendse.]
In a world filled with constant noise and distraction, Sameer Pendse offers a sanctuary of reflection and enlightenment through his poetic expressions in his book Looking Inwards: A Journey into Turiya. Sameer Pendse's poems are deep and moving, guiding us through his spiritual and philosophical experiences. They push us to explore our minds and the mysterious state of 'Turiya,' which, in Hindu philosophy, is the fourth state of being beyond being awake, dreaming, and deep sleep.
The book is divided into three parts, each reflecting different phases of his life and his evolving understanding of spirituality. The first part contains poems that capture his experiences in America; the second part is his middle years in India; and the third part is his time in the UK.
Some of the important poems in the book are ‘The Path to Turiya’ and ‘The Turiya of Silence.’ The reason I use the word important for these poems is that in ‘The Path to Turiya,’ Pendse captures the essence of the spiritual journey with lines that resonate with seekers of truth, as he writes: "The path to Turiya is littered with sufferings of many kinds, some self-inflicted, some inherited, and some simply pointless. Beyond the success and glamour, what we chase in the name of existence, Turiya is the final reward that lies at the end of all our struggles." In the piece ‘The Turiya of Silence,’ Pendse explores the profound practice of silence as a gateway to higher consciousness. He writes, "The only real silence is in the stillness of the mind. When thoughts either cease or flow through without casting ripples."
"The Path to Turiya" shows how people everywhere try to find spiritual enlightenment even when life gets tough. Meanwhile, "The Turiya of Silence" shows how silence can bring peace and help us think clearly. It's pretty amazing, isn't it?
Some of my other favourite poems from the book include ‘Enlightenment,’ which captures the gradual and often challenging nature of spiritual awakening; ‘The Married Monk,’ which explores the paradoxes of spirituality within the confines of societal roles, reflecting on the balance between worldly responsibilities and spiritual pursuits; ‘My Mantra,’ which is a meditation on the power of repetition and focus, emphasizing how a simple practice can lead to profound inner transformation; ‘God is a State of Mind,’ which delves into the idea that divinity is an internal experience, a state of consciousness rather than an external entity; ‘Reunification,’ which illustrates the joy and peace that come from reconnecting with the divine source after a period of separation or struggle; ‘Steady State,’ which captures the tranquility and equilibrium achieved after a period of inner turmoil and transformation, reflecting a mature and stable state of consciousness; ‘Oblivion,’ and ‘Oblivion Undone’ which are paired explorations of the void and the emergence from it, depicting the cyclical nature of destruction and creation within the spiritual journey; and ‘Premonition of Death,’ which is a contemplative piece on mortality that offers a serene perspective on the inevitable end of life and the continuity of the soul. I could go on and on, but I have to stop now!
Thus, as you can understand, reading Looking Inwards: A Journey into Turiya was an immersive and transformative experience for me. I really liked Pendse's poetic language, which was a combination of lyrical and philosophical elements. These poems have the ability to delve deep into the reader's consciousness. At least that was what happened to me. Also, the way he conveyed profound spiritual insights with simplicity and elegance is praiseworthy. Therefore, owing to all of these points and without any reservations or anything to dislike, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The editing is flawless.
In short, Looking Inwards: A Journey into Turiya is more than just poetry; it's something that sticks with you, making you think about yourself and grow spiritually. Thus, if you're into spirituality or searching for more meaning in life, this book is a must-read.
******
Looking Inwards
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In a world filled with constant noise and distraction, Sameer Pendse offers a sanctuary of reflection and enlightenment through his poetic expressions in his book Looking Inwards: A Journey into Turiya. Sameer Pendse's poems are deep and moving, guiding us through his spiritual and philosophical experiences. They push us to explore our minds and the mysterious state of 'Turiya,' which, in Hindu philosophy, is the fourth state of being beyond being awake, dreaming, and deep sleep.
The book is divided into three parts, each reflecting different phases of his life and his evolving understanding of spirituality. The first part contains poems that capture his experiences in America; the second part is his middle years in India; and the third part is his time in the UK.
Some of the important poems in the book are ‘The Path to Turiya’ and ‘The Turiya of Silence.’ The reason I use the word important for these poems is that in ‘The Path to Turiya,’ Pendse captures the essence of the spiritual journey with lines that resonate with seekers of truth, as he writes: "The path to Turiya is littered with sufferings of many kinds, some self-inflicted, some inherited, and some simply pointless. Beyond the success and glamour, what we chase in the name of existence, Turiya is the final reward that lies at the end of all our struggles." In the piece ‘The Turiya of Silence,’ Pendse explores the profound practice of silence as a gateway to higher consciousness. He writes, "The only real silence is in the stillness of the mind. When thoughts either cease or flow through without casting ripples."
"The Path to Turiya" shows how people everywhere try to find spiritual enlightenment even when life gets tough. Meanwhile, "The Turiya of Silence" shows how silence can bring peace and help us think clearly. It's pretty amazing, isn't it?
Some of my other favourite poems from the book include ‘Enlightenment,’ which captures the gradual and often challenging nature of spiritual awakening; ‘The Married Monk,’ which explores the paradoxes of spirituality within the confines of societal roles, reflecting on the balance between worldly responsibilities and spiritual pursuits; ‘My Mantra,’ which is a meditation on the power of repetition and focus, emphasizing how a simple practice can lead to profound inner transformation; ‘God is a State of Mind,’ which delves into the idea that divinity is an internal experience, a state of consciousness rather than an external entity; ‘Reunification,’ which illustrates the joy and peace that come from reconnecting with the divine source after a period of separation or struggle; ‘Steady State,’ which captures the tranquility and equilibrium achieved after a period of inner turmoil and transformation, reflecting a mature and stable state of consciousness; ‘Oblivion,’ and ‘Oblivion Undone’ which are paired explorations of the void and the emergence from it, depicting the cyclical nature of destruction and creation within the spiritual journey; and ‘Premonition of Death,’ which is a contemplative piece on mortality that offers a serene perspective on the inevitable end of life and the continuity of the soul. I could go on and on, but I have to stop now!
Thus, as you can understand, reading Looking Inwards: A Journey into Turiya was an immersive and transformative experience for me. I really liked Pendse's poetic language, which was a combination of lyrical and philosophical elements. These poems have the ability to delve deep into the reader's consciousness. At least that was what happened to me. Also, the way he conveyed profound spiritual insights with simplicity and elegance is praiseworthy. Therefore, owing to all of these points and without any reservations or anything to dislike, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The editing is flawless.
In short, Looking Inwards: A Journey into Turiya is more than just poetry; it's something that sticks with you, making you think about yourself and grow spiritually. Thus, if you're into spirituality or searching for more meaning in life, this book is a must-read.
******
Looking Inwards
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Gerry Steen
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I appreciate that you highlighted and described some of the poems that resonated with you. This gives me an idea of the content and creates interest. It is evident that you loved this book. The author's spiritual journey from America to India and then the UK will allow the reader to see how spirituality can enhance one's life in different cultures. Thank you for this well-written and informative review. 
Latest Review: Red Spy in Harbin by Mark Oulton
