I was lucky enough to read two 5 star books in June and The Monk of Lantau, by Mann Matharu is the winner of my June Book of the Month award 🙂 Loved it ❤
Blurb:
The search for a meaningful existence is as universal as it is elusive. When obstacles to happiness and personal goals seem to riddle our horizons, where do we turn for answers? Meet Matthew, an average Londoner, a family man and a husband, intent on the all-too-normal pursuit of making a better life for himself and his family. When an accident threatens to become the proverbial straw that breaks his back in his pursuit of happiness and personal attainment, Matthew finds himself at a crossroad in his life.
In the way the Universe has of placing the right people in our lives at just the right time, Matthew happens upon a tale from an unlikely source, a tale of a man with mystical healing powers, someone Matthew can seek who can restore balance and harmony to his life and heal his daughter who is fighting for her own. As he traipses through Europe, the Middle East, India and Asia in search of the healer, nothing about the beautiful, trying, and challenging outward journey compares to the progress he makes as he travels into the depths of his own being.
Through Matthew’s journey, we are given the keys to finding the healer for ourselves. Most importantly, readers are invited to harness the beauty and prosperity that comes when we seek ways to recognize that we are all connected to each other and we are all marvellous and powerful creators of our own unique, stunning life story.
My Review:
The Monk of Lantau is a beautifully written and visually descriptive character led story. It is wonderfully inspirational, spiritual and thought provoking.
This book is about a number of characters on a journey of self-discovery. There is a lot to learn from this book, and even if you already try to live by the teachings of this story, as I do, it still serves as a reminder to look at yourself more closely and question whether you are making the most of the life you’ve been blessed with.
I rush around a lot in life, constantly multi-tasking. My brain doesn’t know how to switch off. However, while I still had the urge to hurry through this story, eager to find out what happens next, this story and the characters forced me to slow down, experience their long journey at the pace they were travelling, and enjoy their surroundings with them. Reading this book was almost like some form of meditation. I felt myself become calm and my spirit lift higher and higher as this story progressed.
I loved how each chapter started with a snippet of wisdom. Here are some examples:
“Don’t look to others to find yourself.”
“Let the past be your guide, not your destination.”
“Be careful what you wish for. You might just get it.”
I have to say, I absolutely loved the whole fish verses fishermen idea. This is definitely something I will take away with me and try to remember:
“Dev, sometimes in our life and work, we are the fishermen, working and preparing and slaving to make ends meet for those we care for. But sometimes, we also have to let ourselves be the fish. We have to give whatever we have to meet the immediate needs of those who need it, like the fish who give their lives to sustain and nourish others.”
I finished this book just minutes before turning the TV on and discovering there had been another terror attack in the UK. As I watched in horror, I wholeheartedly believe this book helped get me through the shock and fear of yet another attack. Although this book is not about terrorism, it is about people turning their lives around, having hope, and the true spiritual power of showing compassion towards others.
Some people live to hurt others, but remember, most don’t. In light of recent shocking events, books like this are so incredibly important in helping us keep faith in the kindness of humans. I see so much hate and anger in the news and on social media that sometimes it grinds my soul down, but this story built me back up. This story reminded me of the kind of world I want to live in and be part of. A world that is possible if we all stick together, love and help each other.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes inspirational and thought provoking reads. It’s not particularly long, so quite a quick read. I’m so pleased I offered to read and review this book as part of the blog tour, otherwise I may have missed out on this gem of a story. I don’t normally put myself forward for blog tours, but there was something about this book that had me intrigued, and my life feels more enriched thanks to this story being a part of my journey.
❤ Here is my Buddha posing with my signed copy of this wonderful book ❤
Where to find this book:
About the Author:
Living in London, Mann Matharu is a qualified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and a Reiki Master Teacher. Through his work, Mann has helped many people overcome mental, physical and emotional barriers and has been widely recognised by various national and international organisations including an invitation to 10 Downing Street to meet the former Prime Minister, David Cameron in 2016. Currently his philanthropic projects include: Sikhs Online which was launched in 2008 with a view of bringing Sikh news and historical content into the mainstream media and Homeless 100, a self-funded initiative to provide food for the homeless in London.
Where to find the author:
LittleMissNoSleep Daydreams of Books 
LOVE this Jules! I have just finished this beautiful book and absolutely loved it! You are so right – in this world today, especially, this book shows a way forward. It is inspirational and thought provoking. Loved it. Thank you. XX
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I really am so pleased you loved it too, Renita 🙂 xxx
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