Gyanendra Rana, a certified Yoga teacher, experienced a profound loss in life. Remediation and rejuvenation manifested itself in the form of Yoga, meditation, and a life of spiritual rigour. A Monkey Became a Monk is a sincere distillation of the author’s learnings, an offering to readers eager and willing to accept. Simple, concise, and crisp, the book epitomises clarity and purpose. The most alluring aspect of the book lies in the author’s candid endeavour to spread benevolence amongst his readers. An exhortation for them to embrace the calm, get engulfed by the good and function as ambassadors of spiritual regeneration.
Anuraag is going through a period of indescribable grief. In quick succession, his brother, father, and brother-in-law have shed their mortal coils leaving Anuraag in a shambolic state. In a fit of absolute desperation, Anuraag packs his bags and leaves for Costa Rica to take refuge in a tranquil and serene ‘Ashram’ managed by Guru Krishna. Swirling questions need answering, roiling confusions need clarification, and a tormented soul seeks solace.
Guru Krishna, recognising and acknowledging Anuraag’s dilemma, guides him gently towards the path of equanimity, bestowing equilibrium in the process. Using mundane yet impactful methods such as tracing pictures with twigs in the sand, gently holding pebbles in the hand, Guru Krishna instils in Anuraag the quintessential attribute of distinguishing the ‘seer’ from the ‘seen.’ The vital need to differentiate the observer from the observed.
Guru Krishna, bringing his deep repository of knowledge and an unending degree of patience to bear, educates Anuraag on the architecture of the mind. The ‘bustling marketplace of thoughts,’ is made up of four vital components:
Manas – The Reactive Mind (The Messenger)
Ubiquitous and omnipresent, Manas is restless, curious, and impulsive. The Manas always reacts first.
Buddhi – The Intellect (The Mayor)
The arbiter, Buddhi does not lean into impulses. Always weighing the pros and cons of any decision, the intellect remains ever awake and alert.
Chitra – The Memory Mind (The Archive)
A veritable cache of experiences and memories, The Memory Mind coalesces the past with the present. Leding hue to present decisions employing colours of the past, Chitra is the custodian of pleasure and pain, joys and sorrows, triumphs, and tribulations.
Ahamkara – The Ego or Identity Mind (The CEO)
The most ambivalent element in the quartet, the ego while lending structure to personality, also runs the real risk of perceiving reflection for reality.
The book also teaches philosophical and moral tenets by taking recourse to easy to understand and recollect, acronyms. For example, in inculcating the framework of purpose, Guru Krishna draws a sevenfold wheel, writing at its centre, the word PURPOSE.
P – Principles: One ought to know what one stands for
U – Unique Gift: There are some things which only one can offer. Need to grasp such offering.
R – Results That Matter: Choose outcome that are uplifting to others
P – Path of Practice: Turning ideals into habits.
O – Observations: Reflect weekly and refine continually.
S – Service: Every act should be anchored in contribution.
E – Energy: Guard your vitality like how one guards a sacred fire.
The book also has an invaluable practice Appendix whereby one can understand the basic techniques of meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises.
A Monkey Became a Monk is a dedicated manifesto for looking within and seeking out the soul. Credit ought to be given to Gyanendra for his endeavours to make the world a wee bit less complicated and a harmonious planet to inhabit.