The Review Par Excellence

The Review
Par excellence
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The book revolves around the protagonist Ella Rubenstein, a mother of three children, and a wife, in her late thirties, going through a midlife crisis. She contemplates herself and her life decisions when she comes across a book called “Sweet Blasphemy”. The book speaks to her directly on deeper and emotional levels and gives a new perspective on her life.

The best part about this book is that while you notice the protagonist shifting her life, you also see yourself changing a bit. The book which the protagonist reads tells us the story of the legend Rumi and his master, Shams Tabriz. It takes us through the transformation of the great scholar Rumi to the legendary poet Rumi. It gives a peek into the mystic’s and his master's life touching upon Sufism. The master, Shams Tabriz, gives forty prudent rules to evoke our conscience. By the end of the book, I found myself much more empathetic and loving towards others (even to those whom I don’t like).

Here are a few key learnings which I took from the book:

1. Love, above all, is the greatest religion.
2. How we see God is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves. If God brings to mind mostly fear and blame, it means there is too much fear and blame inside us. If we see God as full of love and compassion, so are we.
3. No matter what your destination, just be sure to make every journey within. If you travel within, you’ll travel the whole wide world and beyond.
4. Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?
5. Real filth is the one inside. There is only one type of dirt that cannot be cleansed with pure water, and that is the stain of hatred and bigotry contaminating the soul. You can purify your body through fasting, but only love will purify your heart.
6. The whole universe is contained within you. Everything that you see around, including the things you might not be fond of and even the people you despise, is present within you in varying degrees. The devil is not an extraordinary force that attacks from without. It is an ordinary voice within.
7. If you want to change the way others treat you, you should first change the way you treat yourself. Unless you learn to love yourself, fully and sincerely, there is no way you can be loved.
8. Fret not where the road will take you. Instead, concentrate on the first step. That’s the hardest part and that’s what you are responsible for. Once you take that step let everything do what it naturally does and the rest will follow. Do not go with the flow. Be the flow.
9. The world is like a snowy mountain that echoes your voice. Whatever you speak, good or evil, will somehow come back to you.
10. The past is an interpretation and the future is an illusion. The present moment is all there is and all that there will be. Remain in the present.

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To be honest, the takeaways from the book cannot be contained in the above points, and I can go on writing more. I would, however, suggest you give it a try and experience it yourself. The book is not an easy read as it is meant to re-wire you. It is full of Sufi practices that will make you think and give you a glass to see life differently. What matters is your readiness to accept and change. If you do, trust me, your life would be a better place.

All the best and happy reading to you!

The reviewer is a quoran would love to discuss your take on this book or any other book that you might have read.