📗AN OAK TREE IN THE GARDEN by Narendra Murty

 BOOK DETAILS : 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Alcove Publishers (4 January 2024); 8287522318
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Perfect Paperback ‏ : ‎ 175 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8196447949
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8196447946
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up

ABOUT THE AUTHOR : 

Professionally, Narendra Murty worked as a Divisional Manager in the Life Insurance industry. However, the deep driving passion of his life has been the study of various religions and philosophies - both Eastern and Western - to which he has devoted more than three decades of his life. His first book EATING HIS MONEY – The Antics of a Metaphysical Clown, contains his commentaries on twenty-five stories of Mulla Nasrudin, the enigmatic clown. The book is an expression of his understanding of Sufi philosophy which he illustrates with concepts derived from all the wisdom traditions of the world making this subtle knowledge easily accessible to the general lay readers.

Adjudged the Best Book in the Pioneer Literature Awards, 2024, his second book AN ODYSSEY OF THE MIND – Journeys in the Modern Mindscape, is a collection of twenty deeply thought-provoking essays written over a period of ten years. The subjects include psychology, philosophy, history, sociology, the impact of technology, ecology, political philosophy and even a couple of humourous and satirical jibes on our politics, society and culture.

His third book titled THE RELIGION OF WONDER is an attempt to define religion outside the context and framework of the organized religions. It is also a call to all atheists and agnostics to sincerely explore their own negation.

Winner of the LIFT Awards 2024, his fourth book is on Zen Buddhism titled AN OAK TREE IN THE GARDEN - Exploring the World of Zen where he has provided enlightening commentaries on thirty enigmatic and enchanting Zen stories.

Apart from this, he has a YouTube channel where he explores various ideas pertaining to religion, philosophy and spirituality. Presently he is devoted full time to his study and writing. Narendra is also working as a Research Associate at Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry and writes every month for their online journal Renaissance.

BOOK REVIEW : 

This is the fourth book by Narendra Murty that I’m currently reading. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve likely seen my previous posts on his books. For those new here, welcome! Let’s dive into this fascinating read before you explore my other reviews.

"An Oak Tree in the Garden" stands apart from Murty’s previous works. This collection of thirty short stories, told from the perspective of Zen monks, offers a deep dive into the enigmatic and mind-bending world of Zen. Each story carries a distinct meaning, and they’re not just short tales—they’re thought-provoking pieces that challenge the very fabric of rationality.

What I liked here is the way the author brings out the ‘crazy wisdom’ of Zen through seemingly absurd dialogues between Masters and disciples is striking. These exchanges are meant to confuse and liberate at the same time, creating space for spiritual insight. At the same time, the author's writing, though subtle, is incredibly effective in conveying the essence of Zen. It’s simple but not simplistic, allowing room for both enjoyment and contemplation.

If you’re someone who enjoys delving into philosophical and spiritual realms, An Oak Tree in the Garden will be a deeply rewarding read. It’s not your typical book—you won’t find clear answers, but you will find the joy of exploring the unknown. Murty invites you into the curious, often confusing, but always enlightening world of Zen.

✍🏼Do check out my blog for a detailed analysis of this book.
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Paperback 📚
Total Pages: 148
Overall Ratings: 4.6/5 ⭐

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