We are currently in the peak of fall, daylight savings time has (sadly) hit, and the crisp air of winter is right around the corner. While I love to read all year long, this is undoubtedly my favorite time of the year to sit down with a book, so I felt it was only right for me to share one of my all-time favorite books that I believe everyone should read.
Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo has captivated my mind ever since I read the summary of it while standing in a little bookstore in small town in western Massachusetts.
Without spoiling the story, here is a summary of the book per this Barnes and Noble description: “When his sister tricks him into taking her guru on a trip to their childhood home, Otto Ringling, a confirmed skeptic, is not amused. Six days on the road with an enigmatic holy man who answers every question with a riddle is not what he’d planned. But in an effort to westernize his passenger—and amuse himself—he decides to show the monk some “American fun” along the way. From a chocolate factory in Hershey to a bowling alley in South Bend, from a Cubs game at Wrigley field to his family farm near Bismarck, Otto is given the remarkable opportunity to see his world—and more importantly, his life—through someone else’s eyes. Gradually, skepticism yields to amazement as he realizes that his companion might just be the real thing. In Roland Merullo’s masterful hands, Otto tells his story with all the wonder, bemusement, and wry humor of a man who unwittingly finds what he’s missing in the most unexpected place.”
Besides this novel having fun and witty story, it also contains real pieces of enlightenment that everyone could benefit from. The reason I love this book so much is because of its ability to teach super important lessons about enlightenment, but it’s done in a relatable way that makes the reader feel understood.
When I found this book, I was a freshman in college, it was during COVID-19, and I was totally unsure of how I was supposed to tackle this world on my own. I remember I felt like my mood was always down, like I could never quite make it to the surface. I also felt physically down. It seemed like I always had a cold and was never fully 100%.
I picked up this book and began reading, and on page 217, one of the characters said that “all sickness comes from your spirit.” This describes how your physical body is tied to your emotional health, and how your emotional state can affect your body. For me, after reading that, everything clicked. I knew I was in a rut, and I knew I had to force myself to shift my mindset in order to help my soul and body heal. Once I started making positive changes, I noticed that I felt way better and more like myself, both mentally and physically.
While this book is obviously not an absolute cure for every issue you might face, it is full of lessons and it might provide you some guidance the way it did for me. Happy reading!
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