“On the surface, Lunch with Buddha is a story about family. Otto Ringling and his sister Cecelia could not be more different. He’s just turned 50, an editor of food books at a prestigious New York publishing house, a man with a nice home in the suburbs, children he adores, and a sense of himself as being a mainstream, upper-middle-class American. Cecelia is the last thing from mainstream. For two decades she’s made a living reading palms and performing past-life regressions. She believes firmly in our ability to communicate with those who have passed on.
Sometimes a book comes along just when you need it….just what the Doctor ordered as they say. This book turned out to be one such for me. As Otto Ringling searches for meaning after his beloved wife’s death along a spiritual journey he couldn’t have possibly predicted….so have I searched for meaning since my son’s descent into autism. It’s in our very nature to try to find meaning when things happen in our lives that impact us in ways we don’t understand or cannot make sense of. Especially those events that devastate us to the very core of our beings. Some find meaning in religion…others in philosophy or even simple ideas like fate. Otto finds his in the most unlikely of places as he makes a life changing journey with his serene his brother-in-law in a beat up old pick up truck. Within the pages of this book I found more of a spiritual search that perhaps I myself truly needed…not really specific to any religion in my personal opinion but more of a look into the divine in general. It’s both simple and magical at the same time. While I have not read the first novel Breakfast with Buddha, I did not find myself at a loss. This book stands very firmly on it’s own. However I will be reading the first novel as soon as I get a chance. I also look forward to the other works of Roland Merullo in the future.
The thing I have to say that I enjoyed most was how comfortable the writing was, even the book itself just felt peaceful. It’s almost like a warm second skin to slip into during a storm. The writing is straight-forward, not flashy or overly deep and yet it still reaches you in places that only truth can. It was the perfect book for a certain time in my life and I think it would resonate with many on multiple levels.
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In hard times, I feel that I really get strength from the people around me. I have a group of friends and family that will listen to me endlessly talk out whatever is bothering me (my poor, patient husband gets the brunt of it). They bear me up. I wish everyone a group of supportive people to hold them together.
There’s nothing too mystical in my method but it seems to work. I just calm myself down, take a deep breath and realize that whatever happened it will eventually be all right. I look at the situation clearly and dispassionately and try to figure out my next steps one at a time.
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Thanks for the giveaway!
I bet this is good. I read American Savior by the same author and found it to be thought provoking.
Kathy- I am really looking forward to reading more of this work.
There is a simple truth that I allow to become my mantra whenever I might feel that the trials and tribulations of life have become more frequent than the victories. I begin with the knowing that “Every moment is as it should be.” To hold such a belief, in the stillness of my heart is to truly practice faith and reap the comfort it provides. If the situation I face is something I can help to make a difference in, I will decide the most “right” path to take for the benefit of the highest good and begin to make the steps in the direction accordingly. To such extent I find it beneficial to strengthen me and my resolve by owning the words of Mahatma Ghandi, “…Be the change you wish to see in the world…” and practicing them.
Thanks to those who entered to win this really very unique book…I hope it is a timely for the winner as it was for myself. That lucky winner of their very own copy to enjoy is Budding Butterfly! Congrats reader and wishing a very happy holiday filled with lots of books to all!
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