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Monk Who Drinks Coffee: Pocket Book of Spiritual Enlightenment Experiences
"This book was simple, short and to the point. It was lightly entertaining while enlightening." -IBPA review-----------------------------------------------------------"The author presents the reader with a small collection of her spiritual experiences, written in a simple and very sincere way"-Reader Views-----------------------------------------------------------Monk Who Drinks Coffee by Banu Ganitri Khan-----------------------------------------------------------Is one truly ready to face spiritual experiences? Grown up with idealistic and rational parents, educated in a rational system, in a materialist world, the author was not. In this book of collected spiritual experiences, she wrote briefly her memories kept as secret into sincere short stories. In those morally challenging times, without any known help, she had to find her own way and decided to write this book as an exemplary guide for people going through (or curious about) similar experiences. Even though some stories may philosophically inspire horror movies, indeed it is a niche book, which does not fit in.This book is less than 50 pages. Language is kept brief and the text short for the modern reader who has so little time.Awards and medalist winner in the New Age / Mind-Body-Spirit category for New Apple Book Awards, 2015Honorable mention, London Book Festival, 2015Honorable mention, Reader Views Literary Awards, 2015
53 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 20, 2016
Author Banu Khan's book "Monk Who Drinks Coffee: Pocket Book of Spiritual Enlightenment Experiences " contains simple statements, which are presented in a powerful way. For instance:
" Fear - We built empires on fear."
In the year 2016, when most of us watch the 2016 Election, the simplicity of this statement is powerful beyond means.
Equally, the line,
"... We make our own decisions, we feel, we desire, we carry burdens that we believe no other living being does, and we have to do this every day and all alone..." is dramatic in its truth.
I loved the book for these sentences.
And then, there are the stories which I could not relate to. Maybe I am not enlightened enough and maybe these stories are not well chosen. In any case, since I don't believe in witchcraft I could not relate to the story about the woman, who thought she was passed over for a promotion because she got pregnant, when really she did not want to get pregnant, and who therefore retaliated with black magic.
Even worse, I felt about the lottery story. The author dreams and plays a set of lottery numbers but does not play all of them because in her dream the last number appears kind of faded. This kept him from winning the "big pot." I don't play the lottery, so in essence this story is meaningless for me as it is. However, other people do. I suspect reading this story will be painful for them. Since many of the regular players are gamblers on some level I doubt that the story will help them find enlightenment.
In summary - this story has awesome tidbits, other content is kind of hard to grasp.
3 stars,
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
" Fear - We built empires on fear."
In the year 2016, when most of us watch the 2016 Election, the simplicity of this statement is powerful beyond means.
Equally, the line,
"... We make our own decisions, we feel, we desire, we carry burdens that we believe no other living being does, and we have to do this every day and all alone..." is dramatic in its truth.
I loved the book for these sentences.
And then, there are the stories which I could not relate to. Maybe I am not enlightened enough and maybe these stories are not well chosen. In any case, since I don't believe in witchcraft I could not relate to the story about the woman, who thought she was passed over for a promotion because she got pregnant, when really she did not want to get pregnant, and who therefore retaliated with black magic.
Even worse, I felt about the lottery story. The author dreams and plays a set of lottery numbers but does not play all of them because in her dream the last number appears kind of faded. This kept him from winning the "big pot." I don't play the lottery, so in essence this story is meaningless for me as it is. However, other people do. I suspect reading this story will be painful for them. Since many of the regular players are gamblers on some level I doubt that the story will help them find enlightenment.
In summary - this story has awesome tidbits, other content is kind of hard to grasp.
3 stars,
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
March 29, 2020
I don't use Goodreads a lot, but I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. So, here's my honest review of Monk Who Drinks Coffee.
TL;DR:
The book is short and light, but it lacks depth. There are a few sentences that'll urge you to think, but if you've been into self-development or on the spiritual path for some time, there's a chance you might not find anything new.
So, the book is short -- a bit too short, to be honest. Now, I'm not saying that everybody should write tombs for their writing to be helpful or that thoughts need to be spoonfed. Far from it. A man should, of course, think for himself. And a short, simple book can many times prove more helpful than an intricate, detailed work. A classic example of concise yet insightful writing is the Enchiridion by Epictetus. It doesn't think for you, but it makes you ponder.
Proposing a clear line of thought or perspective is the task of an author. This is where the book sort of lags behind. I found that the author's thoughts were a bit obscure at places (or at least they appeared to be).
Also, while the stories do manage to get the point across, it can be hard at times to relate to them -- which is okay for me. The author is sharing events from her life, and that's fine.
With that being said, I do like the fact that it's a light read. There are a few sentences that I found quite lovely -- which is why the three stars. The one I liked the most is:
"...not forgiving someone is the same as carrying him/her/them inside you everywhere. Not good company at all!"
TL;DR:
The book is short and light, but it lacks depth. There are a few sentences that'll urge you to think, but if you've been into self-development or on the spiritual path for some time, there's a chance you might not find anything new.
So, the book is short -- a bit too short, to be honest. Now, I'm not saying that everybody should write tombs for their writing to be helpful or that thoughts need to be spoonfed. Far from it. A man should, of course, think for himself. And a short, simple book can many times prove more helpful than an intricate, detailed work. A classic example of concise yet insightful writing is the Enchiridion by Epictetus. It doesn't think for you, but it makes you ponder.
Proposing a clear line of thought or perspective is the task of an author. This is where the book sort of lags behind. I found that the author's thoughts were a bit obscure at places (or at least they appeared to be).
Also, while the stories do manage to get the point across, it can be hard at times to relate to them -- which is okay for me. The author is sharing events from her life, and that's fine.
With that being said, I do like the fact that it's a light read. There are a few sentences that I found quite lovely -- which is why the three stars. The one I liked the most is:
"...not forgiving someone is the same as carrying him/her/them inside you everywhere. Not good company at all!"
March 12, 2016
MONK WHO DRINKS COFFEE
Banu Ganitri Khan
CreateSpace (2015)
ISBN 9781515322344
Reviewed by Juliana Leal for Reader Views (03/16)
“Monk Who Drinks Coffee” by Banu Ganitri Khan presents the reader with a small collection of her spiritual experiences, written in a simple and very sincere way. Her short stories are profound thoughts and feelings coming from her deep meditations on common everyday life; situations that you may feel familiar with in which you will probably find guidance.
The stories, divided into sections, focus on certain aspects like the Dualities of the Universe, and start strong as quoted:
‘Good’ has a meaning with ‘bad’.
‘Happy’ has a meaning with ‘sad’.
’Love’ has a meaning with ‘hate’.
It also deals with various emotions. Anger, which is a strong energy that is commonly experienced, and is so difficult to manage at times. Forgiveness and how we truly have to forgive when we say so and not carry all the weight. Love, that is so powerful and if we have it, we have it all. Stubbornness and fear, in which mountains have been built around, denying others in our lives. And, depression, which to me is the toughest to deal with, learning how to avoid it and be truly honest to yourself, your feelings, and thoughts, and recognizing when help is needed. I really enjoyed the part of her poem that she wrote when she was struggling with depression:
Washed Ashore Digital Woman
Even being down deep is real
Struggle!
Try to kick your way to the surface
Being washed ashore is giving up
You are digital cause you are a lie
Just like a TV image
You play which channel they like.
It is incredible how, in so many occasions, we lose focus on certain things and just center on others, that at the end it is not what we really were looking for. “We are all partially blinded by desires.” It is so true.
The way Khan relays her experiences with the spiritual world and religion is very unique, how she says that our God or our Creator “loves variety.” At the end of her message, we know we have always the choice in our hands for any decision or path we choose in our life. How by choice, we can be a better human being and take care of the treasures that we are given and do our best to make our journey enjoyable.
"Monk Who Drinks Coffee" by Banu Ganitri Khan is a book of truly simple experiences that will enlighten you spiritually. Great book.
Banu Ganitri Khan
CreateSpace (2015)
ISBN 9781515322344
Reviewed by Juliana Leal for Reader Views (03/16)
“Monk Who Drinks Coffee” by Banu Ganitri Khan presents the reader with a small collection of her spiritual experiences, written in a simple and very sincere way. Her short stories are profound thoughts and feelings coming from her deep meditations on common everyday life; situations that you may feel familiar with in which you will probably find guidance.
The stories, divided into sections, focus on certain aspects like the Dualities of the Universe, and start strong as quoted:
‘Good’ has a meaning with ‘bad’.
‘Happy’ has a meaning with ‘sad’.
’Love’ has a meaning with ‘hate’.
It also deals with various emotions. Anger, which is a strong energy that is commonly experienced, and is so difficult to manage at times. Forgiveness and how we truly have to forgive when we say so and not carry all the weight. Love, that is so powerful and if we have it, we have it all. Stubbornness and fear, in which mountains have been built around, denying others in our lives. And, depression, which to me is the toughest to deal with, learning how to avoid it and be truly honest to yourself, your feelings, and thoughts, and recognizing when help is needed. I really enjoyed the part of her poem that she wrote when she was struggling with depression:
Washed Ashore Digital Woman
Even being down deep is real
Struggle!
Try to kick your way to the surface
Being washed ashore is giving up
You are digital cause you are a lie
Just like a TV image
You play which channel they like.
It is incredible how, in so many occasions, we lose focus on certain things and just center on others, that at the end it is not what we really were looking for. “We are all partially blinded by desires.” It is so true.
The way Khan relays her experiences with the spiritual world and religion is very unique, how she says that our God or our Creator “loves variety.” At the end of her message, we know we have always the choice in our hands for any decision or path we choose in our life. How by choice, we can be a better human being and take care of the treasures that we are given and do our best to make our journey enjoyable.
"Monk Who Drinks Coffee" by Banu Ganitri Khan is a book of truly simple experiences that will enlighten you spiritually. Great book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews