MUST READ BOOKS – May 2025
The Practice of Immortality: A Monk’s Guide to Discovering Your Unlimited Potential for Health, Happiness, and Positivity
by Ishan Shivanand
Rooted in the story of his own transformative journey, a monk and internationally beloved founder of Yoga of Immortals shares the methods he uses to help us tap into our unlimited potential.
Ishan Shivanand was born into an ancient lineage of yogis spanning twenty-one generations, and spent the first twenty years of his life in a Himalayan monastery. Grounded in the traditions of yoga, meditation, martial arts, storytelling, and herbal medicine, he developed the Yoga of Immortals (YOI) protocol, which is designed to help followers combat stress, anxiety, depression, and create healthy individuals and healthy communities. The Practice of Immortality shares these lessons and practices. In a world suffering the effects of fear, competitiveness, and anger, Ishan encourages us to take a step back.
Structured as a thoughtful narrative with practices based in the true intentions and meaning of yoga, The Practice of Immortality will help you achieve that which you never thought possible.
The Modi Disruption
by Arjun Singh Kadian
The Modi Disruption by Arjun Singh Kadian is a thought-provoking exploration of how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has redefined Indian politics, governance, and cultural identity. Kadian argues that Modi’s leadership has disrupted entrenched political narratives and revived India’s civilizational ethos, long marginalized by political correctness and Western notions of secularism.
Central to the book is the idea that Modi’s initiatives—such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok, Char Dham projects, and PRASAD scheme—are not just infrastructure upgrades but symbols of cultural rejuvenation. Kadian positions Modi as a leader who sees spiritual and cultural pride as vital to national strength.
The book critiques elite intellectual circles like the Lutyens’ Zone for distancing governance from India’s cultural roots. It also highlights the Ram Mandir movement, portraying its realization and the 2024 consecration of the Ram Lalla idol as a moment of national unity and pride, not just a political victory.
Ultimately, Kadian presents The Modi Disruption as a chronicle of India’s ideological transformation, where Modi fuses governance with heritage. The book offers a compelling, policy-backed narrative for readers interested in India’s evolving identity under Modi’s leadership.
‘From Genome To Om’: A Dharmic Discussion On Science From A Place Of Self-Confidence
From Genome to Om by Bhushan Patwardhan and Indu Ramchandani offers a groundbreaking Dharmic perspective on science, aiming to harmonize modern scientific inquiry with the wisdom of Hindu spirituality. The book serves as a Vedic guidebook for both planetary sustainability and personal spiritual evolution. Drawing a parallel between “Genome” as empirical knowledge (apara vidya) and “Om” as meta-scientific wisdom (para vidya), the authors present an integrative framework that encourages ethical science rooted in spiritual values.
Each chapter follows a structured approach: outlining a problem, presenting the dominant Western view, identifying scientific gaps, and offering Vedic insights. Topics range from technology’s ethical pitfalls and cosmology to evolution, consciousness, identity, and death. The book critiques reductionist science, advocates a holistic view of life, and emphasizes the relevance of Vedic concepts like Prana, Kundalini, and the Purusharthas.
Spiritual leaders should thoroughly understand the treatment of Darwinian evolution and consciousness studies, which is particularly insightful. While cautioning against pseudoscientific claims, the book maintains intellectual rigor. Its vision for a meta-society—transitioning from the Anthropocene to “Omcene”—is both a collective and individual journey of Sadhana. Despite minor distractions, Genome to Om is an inspiring confluence of science and Sanatana Dharma.
Hindu Culture Educational Books for Kids
Published by Desh-Videsh publishing
This vibrant set of five books introduces Hindu culture, festivals, and epics to children in an engaging, age-appropriate way, particularly suited for kids growing up in the West.
Holi Hai! explains the story and significance of Holi, the colorful spring festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Through tales of Prahlad and Holika, as well as Radha and Krishna, the book connects young readers to Hindu traditions, rituals, and the festive joy of playing with colors and enjoying sweets.
We Love Diwali! offers a multicultural view of Diwali as celebrated by Hindu, Jain, and Sikh families in America. Children narrate their excitement in performing the Diwali pooja themselves and highlight the customs of lighting diyas, sharing sweets, and enjoying fireworks, giving a personal and relatable touch to the Festival of Lights.
Welcome to Our Beautiful Mandir introduces the temple (mandir) not just as a place of worship but also as a center of learning. Seen through the eyes of children, this book highlights how temples help them understand the core values and principles of Hinduism in a joyful and accessible manner.
The Complete Ramayan in 100 Tweets and The Complete Mahabharata in 100 Tweets retell the great Hindu epics in a modern, social-media-friendly format. Using 100 tweets, each book simplifies the rich stories of Rama and the Pandavas, preserving their timeless lessons while making them easy and fun for today’s tech-savvy generation to understand and enjoy.
