"Poignant, engrossing and profound."
- Dr Vi Tri Phuong.
The Heart Of The World is an attempt to share ancient wisdom in a way that can be understood in the modern world.
It follows the journey of an Indian boy, Sanjay, who feels compelled to leave his life of comfort and security in order to find his life's deepest purpose. This journey takes him to the other side of the world, to America, where he meets an old professor of physics, a leading researcher in neuroscience, an abbot with knowledge of all the world's religions, and a passionate doctor who becomes his greatest mentor. At each stage he questions the paradigms and assumptions of the modern world, and finally he encounters a great challenge that he can only surmount by journeying deep within his own mind and heart.
There are many lessons that the boy learns along the way, and each lesson is likened to the branch of a tree. Initially his view of the world is quite narrow, and he is only aware of one or two particular branches without seeing the tree for what it is from a wider perspective. Each branch represents a hidden assumption that he holds onto, both individually and collectively. His journey then is a gradual letting go of these branches, by which he finally comes to know his own authentic self and discover his true place in the world.
Among the many issues that the novel broaches, one of the main themes is the great split in the modern world between reason and science on the one hand, and faith and spirituality on the other. This is something we hear about all the time in the media, and is a frequent topic of conversation when we speak to friends and colleagues. However, Sanjay gradually reaches the conclusion that the split between faith and reason is something that we ourselves have manufactured. He finds that there is only one truth in which faith and reason cannot be separated - that everything only exists in relation to everything else - and that this truth can only be known when we have let go of all fixed ideas and beliefs:
By clinging to belief in this or that
We will never see the tree of life.
But by knowing how this depends on that,
The heart of the world is found.
I would be honoured if you are interested enough to purchase this book, which is now available through Amazon (both as a hard copy and e-book), Barnes & Noble and other major on-line retailers. If you live in Australia it may be most convenient to order a copy by contacting myself directly. I also welcome any correspondence to my e-mail address adrianhauthor@gmail.com. 20% of the royalties will be donated to Lotus Outreach Australia, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring the education, health and safety of vulnerable women and children in Cambodia.
With gratitude for all your support,
Adrian
