*** This is written by Sonal Shivsharn for the #booksthatinspire blogathon.***
The Zahir -Something which is real...something which always fills up your mind unknowingly and unconsciously, you are not really sure if you can get rid of it. It exists in its own powerful way, which I believe could be responsible for destruction of one's life or miraculously help one to understand his/her sole existence on earth.
For me, it is an experience, the growth that gradually, but very minutely happens over the period of time. How much time would it take? Still unknown, you can't predict it. During this spiritual journey of self-discovery, you learn a lot about your mission in life, the soul of the world. The "Happiness" the power of mind, fascination, obsession, your personal history, the law of nature, the intuitions and the inner voice you constantly hear and something you very effortlessly pretend to avoid it.
It makes us understand the importance of "Change", the uncertainty which is making the world alive. For me, the book talks about the courage to look inside our unconscious mind and dare us to listen what it says. Follow the signs to live the way you want to live. I cannot more that agree where the author says-
“It is so important to let things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that no one is playing with marked cards. Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose. Don't expect to get anything back. Don't expect recognition for your efforts. Don't expect your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Complete the circle. Not out of pride, inability or arrogance but, simply because whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door. Change the record. Clean the house. Get rid of dust. Stop being who you were and become who you are.”
Easy to write, but one of the most difficult things to do in life. At times it sucks your energy, drains your body and exhausts your soul. It makes us understand that in a perfect relationship when one person stops walking, other person is forced to do the same and no matter how perfectly you pretend to lead your life normally, your brain yells: to move on. Because, you are literally dying of tedium...anxiety...fear. But, under any circumstances you just cannot blame the other person.
But your sufferings never end, your mind tries to seek answers to so many questions that are left unanswered, the questions haunt you like real zombies and ghosts, not allowing you to sleep peacefully even for a second. Until, you certainly reach to the point, as the writer correctly describes;
“The accommodator or giving up point - There is always an event in our lives that is responsible for us failing to progress: a trauma, a particularly bitter defeat, a disappointment in love, even a victory that we did not quite understand, can make coward of us and prevent us from moving on. As a part of the process of increasing his hidden powers, the shaman must free himself from that giving up point and, to do so, he must review his whole life and find out where it occurred.”
It becomes an enforced solitude, not of our choosing it is as if you were no longer part of the human race.
As the journey goes on, the Zahir disappears. When you realize that Zahir was more than a human obsessed with an object...a painful case over the years. The Zahir was a fixation on everything that had been passed from generations to generations. It took up all the space...never allowed us to consider the possibility that things could change.
To conclude, it takes you through the spiritual journey that teaches you hard lessons of life. Gives you the courage for self introspection...dare to look into your soul, have courage to follow your dreams and most importantly explore the magnificent side of love - mysterious feeling of joy where we take risks, do things which might be right or might be wrong but, we do them anyway - the most precious gift the god has given to humanity.