Book Review -The Heart of the World ? Living Meditation

A Contemporary Novel about Philosophy by ex Bush Telegraph member Adrian Hekel

Review by Tahlia

This sweet-hearted novel seems to me to be a cross between a folk story, about a young man?s search for truth, and a contemplation.

Sanjay is an innocent young Indian man, an almost too-good-to-be-true character whose taro card reading from a gypsy woman results in him setting off to the USA to discover the ?heart of the world?. We follow his journey through meetings with a variety of characters, each who teach him a different kind of wisdom.

He begins his search with modern science and although he, and we, learn a lot about how scientists think, their worldview doesn?t answer all Sanjay?s questions, so he moves on to religion. His experience in a Christian monastery provides an inner angle on the nature of the world, but once again Sanjay isn?t satisfied. He?s met the split between describing the nature of the world from an inner perspective, as in religion, and from the outer perspective, as in science. His search for a view of the world that combines both science and the essence of religion leads him to medicine and a new mentor, a doctor, as well as a relationship with a young woman. When an unfortunate turn of events rips all that from him, he is shattered and turns to deep contemplation and meditation. Alone in the mountains, he faces his demons and comes to his own understanding of the ?heart of the world?, a truth he then puts into practice back where he started in India.

I doubt that this story would hold anyone expecting the elements of an ordinary novel. There is little action and nothing substantial to thwart Sanjay on his quest, the only challenge being an intellectual/spiritual one. The words tell us about people and events instead of showing them to us, which keeps us removed from the character and his experience. The characters are sketchy, and there is almost no description of place, character or experience. For example, when Sanjay arrives in the USA we get no sense of the change of place or the culture shock that such a character would surely feel. Apart from the occasional dialogues, and paragraphs that change the place, it is almost entirely an inner monologue following Sanjay?s contemplations on the nature of the world.

Despite its faults, The Heart of the World? has its own integrity and beauty. Its very innocence, in the character and the writing, gives it a unique flavour. There is little in it to sustain anyone not already interested in the search for truth, but the story will resonate for anyone who has undertaken such a path to any degree.

If you?d like to do a contemplation in novel form on the nature of reality that includes both scientific and religious thought, then this is the book for you, because even though Sanjay is a fictional character, his questions, the answers he finds and the conclusions he comes to via his own reflection are all very real. It might make a good present for a non-dharma friend who is interested in such things but not enough to want to read books on philosophy or quantum physics. There are even some verses for reflection at the end.

Near the end of last year, Rinpoche asked that we foster the creativity of the sangha in bringing the dharma to a wider audience, and here is your chance. Adrian (who was a BT member a few years ago) has blended philosophy with story ? an age old way of communicating truth ? in a modern scenario.

You can order Adrian?s book here

I asked Adrian some questions about the book .

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What inspired you to write this book?

I have spent quite a few years studying Buddhism in its various forms, and felt a calling to express some of what I?ve learnt in a creative way ? in a way that my family and friends could relate to.? I was also inspired by Madhyamika teachings by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche several years ago, and wanted to see what would happen if I tried to apply some of this brilliant India logic to modern-day beliefs and paradigms. Finally, I was influenced by Paulo Coelho?s powerful novel The Alchemist.

What type of audience did you write it for?

I attempted to write the book so people could read it on different levels, depending on their own background. For a general audience, I was hoping it would read as an inspiring novel with a message (and I thank the Sandgate writers group for their help in this regard). For the intellectually-inclined, I was hoping to present some profound philosophical ideas in a simple way, as a way to provoke discussion and reflection, especially by challenging the view of ?scientific materialism?. Finally, for the Buddhist reader I hoped to present the Madhyamika teachings and the spiritual journey in general, in a way that was relevant to one?s daily life.
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How closely does Sanjay?s journey reflect your own?

I suppose Sanjay represents what I am aiming for ? to really make the Buddhist journey part of one?s life (in Trungpa Rinpoche?s words ? ?the journey where the end is the beginning and the beginning is the end?). I am nowhere near attaining this lofty goal, but I have been fortunate enough to have led a life which has given me many opportunities to reflect. This includes time studying physics and neuroscience at university, time in monasteries and spiritual communities, time working as a doctor in general practice, and the occasional challenge as well! The common thread in all these experiences was a na?ve young man (myself) who was always on some kind of truth finding mission, battling the tendency to get carried away by something while the truth was left behind.

What have you learned from writing this book?

?The writing process was a wonderful way to integrate many of my life experiences, and to learn how to communicate with others about many things I would normally keep to myself. It has also helped me develop confidence pursuing something I feel strongly about, even though it may not ?fit on the shelf?. In a Buddhist sense, it was a brilliant opportunity to engage in the ?second wisdom tool? ? contemplation and reflection upon the teachings, especially the Madhyamika approach to deconstructing our habitual view of reality. And now that the book is out there, it feels like the learning process has only just begun!
About Adrian

Adrian Hekel grew up in Brisbane and has spent most of the last ten years in Adelaide and Victoria, completing medical training and working as a junior doctor. During this time he has studied with a variety of Buddhist teachers, including Sogyal Rinpoche, Khentrul Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Recently he has moved back to Queensland, having resided as Chenrezig Institute on the Sunshine Coast while trying to establish a career as an author. He is especially interested in the interface between Buddhist philosophy, comparative religion and modern psychology.

Source: http://livingmeditation.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/book-review-the-heart-of-the-world/

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