The Art of Serenity – The Path to a joyful life in the best and worst of times: Dr T. Byram Karasu (2003): Simon & Schuster.

This is a seriously good read and beautifully written book.   It took me a week to read, even though it isnt a big book, just 243 pages – but I chose to read it in the evening in bed when all was quiet and savoured every page so it took a bit longer than I expected. 

For readers who enjoy nothing better than to wrap themselves around with a book with a spiritual dimension but also some sage advice from a writer who has experience and is a professional in the mental health field then this will suit.  The back cover of the book has quotes from Thomas Moore (author of Care of the Soul), Deepak Chopra (author of How to Kow God) highly recommending it.

Here’s a bit of the blurb from inside the dust-cover:

‘We all face adversity, both man-made and natural. How do we survive the loss of a loved one, a betrayal, illness, even impending death, and still find meaning in our lives? Even a “normal” life can seem empty, in spite of material possessions, success, power, and pleasure….Dr Karasu offers us the key to an extraordinary state of mind-authentic, soulful happiness- in the face of everything our life has to offer and take away. The door to this state of mind is opened by a combination of soul and spirit. It involves the soul through the love of others, love of work, and the love of community….Brilliantly synthesizing psychology and spirituality, Dr Karasu will guide you to explore the deepest yearnings of your heart’.

Now this book is not one of those ‘yet another self-proclaimed guru’ quick fix for what ails the world type books. Nor does the author proclaim to “fix” the reader.  Instead it is an honest and mature exploration of the complexity of life while suggesting that if we take time to rediscover the sacredness of life, we will also discover serenity. 

While I am tired of reading the word “insightful” on every blurb from recipes to road maps nowadays, I have to say that what Dr Karasu offers is insightful, but I would expect this from a person that has practiced psychology as long as he has and not being rude, his photo suggests that he is a mature man, and not writing a book having just collected his degree.

Dr Karasu writes with eloquence on the role of spirituality, the importance of being conscious of the easily overlooked importance of honouring the ordinary in our lives to feel fulfilled.  Each chapter is dotted with thought provoking quotes and snippets of poetry, which in my view is befitting the subject because isnt this where wisdom, poetry and art come from?   

I give this book 5 stars *****