Published by IndiePress (a Westland Books affiliate that’s a part of Nasadiya Technologies), River of Love: Meditation Beyond the App offers a wide as well as deep look at what meditation is, its ancient Indian roots, and insights and experiences from the author’s decade-long journey into this realm. It inspires the reader to look beyond the apps or quick-fix approaches to the beautiful, healthy, and profound discipline called meditation.
“It is my sincere hope and wish that the book will help a growing tribe of aspirants and meditators to initiate, continue, or deepen their practice. The book should also whet the appetite of readers wanting to know about meditation in greater detail,” said Sanjay Gupta on the book’s release.
There’s an ever-growing need globally for people to stay healthy, especially when it comes to their mental health. Regardless of their profession or industry, more and more individuals face growing stress from balancing work and life, trying to survive in a world that is getting faster, and more aggressive and competitive. River of Love: Meditation beyond the Appoffers people a way to cope with such challenges through meditation and how they can initiate practicing this holistic discipline—or, if they are already into it, how they can deepen it for further benefits.
The book can bring a bit of calm and mental poise in the chaos and noise of everyday life. It will also uplift people spiritually regardless of their religious beliefs.
Talking about the need for another book on meditation, where a lot of literature already exists, Gupta said, “I have been meditating regularly for more than ten years, which I believe gives me a little bit of confidence in sharing my experiences with a wider audience. What inspired me to write River of Love was a growing belief in my heart that there’s an acute need for a comprehensive yet easily accessible and readable book on mediation’s ancient origins, varied forms, and benefits along with some fundamental concepts like pranayama and mantras that go closely with the discipline.”
Gupta further elaborated, “While there are several titles already available in the market, I couldn’t find one that put things clearly and comprehensively without advocating a certain ‘brand’ or ‘type’ of meditation. I also felt that I could add valuable perspectives from my own daily meditation practice—as a regular person rather than a guru or baba with a cult following (nothing essentially wrong with being a guru or having a great following, though).”
There’s a growing global interest in meditation, and yet a lot of people still struggle with confusion or they are unsure of how to make a start. So, maybe the time is ripe for a book such as River of Love.
According to a study of US adults published on Nature.com, in 2022 meditation was practiced by an estimated 60 million people—a number that has been growing steadily over the years. Estimates of people who have tried meditation globally range from 200 million to 500 million.
While most people in the US and other Western countries know about meditation through apps and commercial yoga studios, not many may know of its deep, ancient origins and the vast scope of its benefits. The subtitle of the new book, Meditation beyond the App, hints at the need to look deeper and discover the greater joys and benefits of meditation that can’t be simply obtained from an app or a superficial understanding or practice of what meditation is and can be.
Here are some key insights and takeaways from River of Love:
– Meditation, called dhyana in Hindi and Sanskrit, is a part of ancient sage Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga. The book traces the ancient origins and practice of meditation through interesting stories and insights drawn from varied sources, including Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, the life of Buddha, and many more.
– One of the most important fundamentals of a good meditation practice is pranayama, which is to regulate your breathing. The book describes in detail how breathing well enhances meditation and makes it more fruitful.
– The book offers insights into the role of reciting mantras and doing meditation with the right bhaava (intention). Other key aspects such as chakras and kundalini are also touched upon for a more holistic and useful meditation practice.
– People often give up meditation after trying it for a while. The book gives practical tips on how they can sit down in meditation for a longer time—with ease and for a more fulfilling session—through the author’s own experiences.
Link to River of Love: Meditation beyond the Appon Amazon:
https://www.amazon.in/dp/9360451266
About the Author
Sanjay Gupta is a seasoned journalist, writer, and editor with 25 years of wide-ranging experience in India’s top media houses—The Times of India, Indian Express, and HT Mint, among others. A strong advocate of holistic living and yoga, he has been practicing meditation for more than 10 years. Sanjay is the author of Strings of the Soul, a nonfiction book on Kindle that contains nuggets of personal insights and wisdom on Love, Truth, Happiness and a few other things that connect all human beings. He has also co-authored a book of digital transformation stories of avant garde Indian enterprises, titled 21 Jewels of Digital.
Sanjay lives in New Delhi with his wife and two children.
You can write to the author at thinksanjay@gmail.com.
