“It is the only thing we can do, Klaas, I see no other alternative, each of us must turn inward and destroy in himself all that he thinks he ought to destroy in others”

- Etty Hillesum, on her way to death aged 29, in Auschwitz

There are books you devour and finish in one sitting. There are books you take small bites of, leisurely savouring the aroma and the taste lingering on the tongue. There are books that you come back to again and again and every time you do so they give you a fresh insight, probe your notions, question your beliefs and even re-align what you stand for.

‘The Open Road’ is a combo-package of all these three kinds. You can finish it in one go, yet you slow down and take in slowly and long after you have closed the pages, you sift through them again and again craving for more.

Pico Iyer attempts to trace the journey of His Holiness The Dalai Lama (the 14th) in ‘The Open Road’ and tries to bring forth the multi-faceted leader of the Tibetan movement and the torch bearer of Buddhist teachings in the 21st century. The book symbolizes how the journey of life truly is ‘an open road’ with oneness of mankind as its central theme. How the road has innumerable paths and turns, full of surprises and yet our walk depends entirely on the world you have created within.

The Open Road by Pico Iyer

Juxtaposing the past, present and the future, the book is a revealing account of the Dalai Lama’s life and work. Right from the time he escaped to India at the age of 24 in 1959, the Dalai Lama has been instrumental in leading the movement towards freeing Tibet for his people. Yet, his position, both as a monk and a leader has landed him in a precarious position. Dividing himself between the world and his people, the Dalai Lama has been constantly on the move, trying to bring peace and harmony in the world whilst searching for inner perfection.

The book vividly describes the Dalai Lama’s keen attention towards the world around him and yet his quest for inner realization as a monk. He relies on scientific proofs, debates voraciously to test his beliefs, questions all beliefs and rituals before ascribing to them and believes that in changing the self lies the solution to all problems. How beneath the infectious laughter and enthusiasm and laughter lies the heart that questions the very existence of mankind and looks for solutions to the problems of the world and Tibetans. One begins to wonder flipping through the pages, how extremely detached he is from the world and yet who earnestly dedicates his time completely trying to do some good.

Yet, who would believe that the Dalai Lama wakes up every morning at 3:30 to mediate for about 4 hours before getting involved in the vortex of activities! This and hundreds of tidbits merge to give the reader full access to the principles His Holiness stands for, his stand in the world and the courage to question our own beliefs and mindsets.

The author is journalist with the celebrated Time magazine and can be termed a global citizen living in Japan and the US. Pico Iyer’s association with the Dalai Lama goes beyond 30 years and it began when the Dalai Lama dedicated the foreword of his (Iyer’s) father’s book with the words:

“To Pico and those of his generation for whom there will be no curtain.”

And his own curiosity and inward thirst have created a book par excellence. A beautiful account of the past traditions and customs of Tibet, the present day condition of exiled Tibetans in Dharamsala and worldwide, the fate of modern Tibet, the dilemma of Tibetan youth and in the larger picture, the interconnectedness of the world, the power within and sometimes, even the helplessness with the Dalai Lama as the central theme and object.

The most powerful messages from His Holiness’s teachings are in fact disguised forms of Buddha’s last words, “Work out your salvation with diligence”. That is the essence of life. Its unity amidst variety. Every word and tiny act has consequences, even those that you cannot see. The questioning attitude and shaping your perception of the world – that is all that it takes to find clarity of living life and co-existing.

The mind is something we had the potential to transform and so, therefore, was the world the mind created.

- From the book

A must read! 9/10

Siddhartha