Review of Sanjay Desai’s book – Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands.
- Title – Jasmine builds on shifting sands
- Author – Sanjay Desai
- Format – Paperback
- Print length – 160 pages
- Publisher: ConsciousLeap Insights Private Limited (15 November 2020)
- Also available in – e-book format
Integrated with hybrid multimedia learning tools, Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands is a unique self-help fiction offering. Its captivating narrative ties two seemingly distinct tales in an intertwined journey that explores the manifestation of dreams. At the center of the book is Jasmine’s journey of making it as a successful model in the cut-throat world of fashion. Her tale of victory and failure is enveloped within the master narrative of Sanjay, an erudite knowledge-seeker who meets his spiritual guru- Ma. Set between the esoteric location of the Himalayas and the urban bustle of Mumbai, the book offers an enhanced learning experience which is further amplified through the embedded micro-learning content that is interspersed throughout the text, making for a truly immersive experience.
This book is shelved under self-help, and I was expecting a lot of advices and things to do and the after effects of reading a self-help book.
To my surprise, it is more of a novel with a self-help included in a skilled way which gives you the thrill of reading a story, but also, you get inputs that can have a positive effect on your life!
Yes, I really loved reading the book. The Prologue starts with the author going on a trek to meet Ma Krishnanandgiri- his spiritual Guru. The scenic beauty is described so vividly that it feels like we are on the trek with him enjoying the spectacular scenes of the place.
The story starts with Jasmine, a bright young girl who accidentally enters the fashion world through a collegiate competition and gets sucked into the fashion world and later goes on to take part in a beauty pageant contest.
Life goes well and then starts to slide when least expected, but how Jasmine finds the balance is what the rest of the book is about.
What I liked about this book is that it is not preachy. The only reason I don’t read self-help is because it is dry and has a moralizing tone but that is totally not there in this book. It takes us through the process through the story of Jasmine and that too in a deviceful method where we can get to realize our dreams!
The author has written in such a way where we introspect ourself and gain insight into making the right choices.
Moreover, the book accentuates the need to be grounded no matter how high we fly and the importance of practices like Yoga, meditation and spirutuality to bring about the overall sucess in life and in our career.
It also talks about the need for positive people around us, to guide us properly -mentors and the necessity to stay away from all forms of negativity.
The epilogue is a conversation between the author and his spiritual Guru – Ma Krishnanandgiri. In this section we can feel the spritual connection between the Guru and the author.
Talking about the characters, Jasmine is the protoganist and its her life and its ups and down that form a main part of the book. Other characters like Ms.Jaiswal who is her mentor, steers her in the right direction giving her both motivation and confidence to face all odds and helps her shine above others.
Prasad is a person to whom cares for Jasmine and whom she talks to but it is Bala who has my heart. He is that type of friend who is the much needed person in everyone’s life! He is also person who helps her stay grounded when she is rising.
Last but not least, there are 4 micro learning multimedia which can be accessed by scanning the QR code in the book [which takes us to the ConciousLeap page] and that is definitely a great add-on.In these pages you can get to analize you life and the direction in which it is going and how to improve your life. This makes this it a one of the kind self help book!
In a way I felt that this book also reflects that ups and downs are a part of life and it the way we stand up after falling down is what matters!
This book – Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands, is a perfect blend of fiction ,self-help , a bit of motivation and spirituality that makes the reading pleasurable. It will help you see the life from a different perspective. Do read this book to see it for yourself.
Sanjay is an entrepreneur and an ex-banker, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore and a Chartered Accountant. During his successful career, Sanjay has been integrating the essence of a parallel spiritual journey with his material pursuits.
He has now set out to share the ways and means of seamlessly traversing through the material and spiritual world. Thereby, enriching each journey.
*******************
Check out the 80+ books that I have reviewed so far in the Book Reviews page .