Book Review ‘The Wisdom Bridge’, Author Daaji (Kamlesh D. Patel)

About the Book:

‘The Wisdom Bridge’ Nine Principles to a Life that Echoes in the Hearts of Your Loved Ones

The intentions, thoughts and actions of the elders are caught by the hearts of the children. The children observe, learn and imbibe the teachings quickly and faithfully, and the elders have the responsibility to not only raise the children well but nurture and guide them in a way that they can lead fulfilling lives.

A deeply moving and inspirational book that offers nine principles to live a life that inspires and enriches the lives of our children and to build resilient family bonds. These principles are important references for parents, parents-to-be, grandparents and caregivers to create fulfilling and happy lives. They will not only help you enrich the lives of your children and raise responsible teenagers but pave the way for an inspired life and resilient bonds in your family.

The Wisdom Bridge (Penguin Random House India) by Daaji, also known as Kamlesh D. Patel, released in Sep 2022 is the perfect guide to stress-free parenting and raising resilient children and happy families.

About the Author:

Daaji, also known as Kamlesh D. Patel is the fourth and current spiritual guide of the global Heartfulness movement. He has spent the past four decades training people across the world in Heartfulness meditation. Daaji is the author of the bestsellers:  The Heartfulness Way (with Joshua Pollock) and Designing Destiny.

His work has appeared in the Times of India, Economic Times, HindustanTimes, and leading TV networks. Daaji gives keynote addresses at conferences and conducts workshops around the world. His passion lies in grassroots efforts, especially in taking meditation to the villages of India. Daaji is a proud grandfather and enjoys going on nature walks with his grandchildren in Kanha Shanti Vanam, India where he lives with his family. 

Book Review:

When this book came to me for review, I was not sure what to expect. The author of the book Daaji, also known as Kamlesh D. Patel, is the fourth and current spiritual guide of the global Heartfulness movement. My first thought was – will it be overloaded with Spiritual knowledge? But I was pleasantly bowled over by the content of the book. The book is very well written by someone who has observed in detail, and experienced the problems himself with parenting in the current changing times.

When I finished reading the book, I had only one thought, Gosh! Why this book was not there when I was raising my child? So many mistakes I would have surely avoided.

In my generation of people who are now in their fifties, most of them had moved out of their parent’s house to build their own nests. We brought up our children on our own as we thought right, tried to give them the best of luxury except for time. Though we enjoyed the freedom of a nuclear family, we did miss having elders at home when both parents were at work, all the time worrying about the child. I  think every generation learns from the mistakes committed by their predecessor, and then the learnings as pearls of wisdom form the ‘Wisdom Bridge.

Daaji in ‘The Wisdom Bridge, uses his own experiences, his triumphs and tribulations, and learning lessons that have helped him to reflect on his parenting journey. In the book, Daaji offers nine principles, which are references for parents, parents-to-be, grandparents, and caregivers to create fulfilling and happy lives.

The essence of the book is ‘Wisdom is not taught, it is caught’ – The intentions, thoughts, and actions of the elders are caught by the hearts of the young ones.  The elders in the family, the grandparents are the Wisdom Bridge to the young generation, their thinking and actions leave an imprint in the minds of the young generation in a very soft, gentle way.

The nine principles offered by the author are the key learnings from our generation to the next generation, some of them perhaps are already being felt by us, but the author has done a wonderful job in putting them all together, and making the book one of the best books on parenting. Most parenting books normally are more about nursing, feeding, holding and sleeping times – on the early days of the child. But in this book the nine principles suggested are more about growing a Human Baby into a mature individual, putting a great foundation for their character building and learning abilities.

Daaji suggests that not only do parents have a role to play but the surroundings also, the grandparents, elders of the family and the neighbourhood.

Coming to the the book, the book is very engaging, it’s very well written, crisp yet detailed with examples, nowhere it goes out of scope, no repetition of the content, and every line written in the book is a message to be remembered. One feels like taking notes while reading the book, and also, the book is not one time read, one can refer to it many times, especially the parents.

Personally, the major takeaway for me was the role of grandparents as highlighted by the author. I always thought that I will be a free person once my boy marries and settles down but the book has changed my perspective, I have more roles left to perform…;-)

I would highly recommend the book to all, the nine principles are important references for parents, parents-to-be, grandparents and caregivers to create fulfilling and happy lives. It will not only help you to enrich the lives of your children and raise responsible teenagers but pave the way for an inspired life and resilient bonds in your family.

Book reviewed by Rakhi Sunil Kumar

About the Book 

Imprint: India Penguin Ananda

Published: Sep/2022

ISBN: 9780143459064

Length: 288 Pages

MRP: ₹399.00