More than the subject of God, this book is the authors personal quest to achive realization through his way. Mani is a scientist basically and his story is worth listening. He has been influenced strongly by the great Mahatma Gandhi. The first half of the book is about how he has risen from poverty to how luck and hard work turns in his favour. He is bascially raised in the slums of Calcutta, India. His father a freedom fighter who is an ardent follower of the Mahatma (Gandhi) sets an example for him, and he also gets a chance to be close to this great personality.His life takes a turn when he gets a chance to pursue further studies. Finaly he gets his hearts desire - A chance to pursue higher studies in America. There he specializes in Lasers, at that time, an emerging technology. The book details all other personalities like for instance Theodore Maiman (the inventor of the ruby laser) and other scientists with whom the author has worked closely.Mani goes on to build the Excimer laser, with which eye surgery i.e LASIK (as it is known worldwide) is possible. The idea is to fire a laser so thin to sculpt the cornea of our eye back to its original shape. Mani hits the jackpot and becomes a rich man. He buys mansions at Bel Air, a lofty dream of his past. Partying and associations follow subsequently. But after some time the author realizes that this is not what he really wanted. He feels hollow.He gets back on his path and tries to answer the holy grail by reading, assimilating various books pertaining to religion and science. For instance, the author says that when he re-looks at Einstein's equation, he comes to the realization that matter and energy are all the same. He quotes religious equations in relation to science. Another Einstein's influentory quotes "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." is also eloquently stated and clarified in this book. Mani weaves Eastern wisdom with Western science in a tale that is well worth a read. For those who want to get spiritual insights, remember one thing as Mani says 'Happiness is an inside job'!Read this book for an entertaining and eye opening spiritual odyssey,Guru30 (Rajesh Menon.
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