Open Eyed Meditation Book review

Wisdom, Witty Tales and Crow -Burning Sages.

Aunt Selvi Reviews: Open Eyed Meditation

Oh, dearies, let me tell you, when I picked up Open Eyed Meditation by Shubha Vilas, published by FingerPrint Publishers, I was expecting another round of profound snippets akin to his take on the Ramayana. But what greeted me? A buffet of musings, presented like hors d’oeuvres—each one a delicate bite, but together, a tad overwhelming for my paavam middle-aged brain.

Now, I usually have a system for reviewing books—a hexagonal framework, mind you, because I like my structure like I like my sarees: classic with a bit of flair. But as I read this self-help book, I had to drop the hexagon faster than a laddu slipping through oily fingers. Who am I to judge or categorize content that’s meant to help? Instead, I approached this book the way I approach my kitchen experiments—with curiosity and a pinch of skepticism.

The book starts on a promising note, with dedications to teachers and 64 chapters of wisdom. It felt like a stroll through Cubbon Park on a Sunday—pleasant, though occasionally you wonder if you’re lost. Shubha Vilas ties his thoughts to the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which is a nice touch, but I couldn’t help thinking, “What if my worldview doesn’t quite match his?”

That said, I did enjoy the crisp summaries at the end of each chapter—like a good chutney that elevates the dosa. Some of his insights hit home:

• Over-analysis leading to paralysis—oh, how I’ve seen that happen at our apartment association meetings!
• Good attitude being a choice—a point I mutter under my breath every time my nephew leaves his socks on the sofa.
• Relationships need appreciation, or they spiral downward faster than an idli at a toddler’s breakfast table.

Shubha Vilas also muses on charisma. Respect, thinking out of the box, and valuing oneself are all on his list. Sound advice, yes, but his choice of role models for these qualities? Let’s just say, they left me as puzzled as I am when someone adds pineapple to pulao.

One story that stood out was about Sage Kaushika, who burns a crow with a glance (what temper!) and gets schooled by a housewife. But dear Shubha Vilas leaves the tale dangling, skipping the part where the housewife sends him to a butcher. It’s like serving biryani without the raita—interesting, but incomplete.

Another nugget that made me pause: his theory on why people provoke others. By page 178, I found myself nodding in agreement, even as my niece provoked me by playing 90s Bollywood remixes during my reading time.

So, who is this book for? Ah, that’s the tricky part. It’s like recommending a saree—depends entirely on the person’s taste and temperament. If you’re asking for help, this book will offer it. But remember, you must make the first move.

In Shubha Vilas’s own words, “communication happens with connect, and connect happens with stories.” If you’re in the mood for some philosophical storytelling with a side of life lessons, this might be the book for you.

Author: Dr.Shubha Vilas

ISBN: 9788175993907
Publisher: FingerPrint Publishers

And as I always say, if nothing else, you’ll at least have a lovely addition to your bookshelf to impress visitors.