Book Extract of A Monk and His Girlfriend by Maxin James

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2 'A Monk and His Girlfriend' by Maxin James About the Book Kartik, the young monk, knows that he must choose between his monkhood and his search for Moyana. He knows well that he is still not being able to get rid of the desires of his youth and his love for a girl. A revolt against the holy traditions of the Monks of Pangchi will put him under the curse of the masters. He is aware that after the death of his Master he might be the next torch bearer of the monastery and the tradition of the great Himalayan Monks. But he likes freedom more than anything. One day he runs away from his monastery for a quest -- a quest for his girlfriend. This fascinating novel by Maxin James is the story of Kartik's journey, the young monk, who follows the call of the Universe, struggle, destiny and surrender.

3 'A Monk and His Girlfriend' by Maxin James Theme and Abstract KARTIK, the young monk: enlightenment is the ultimate goal and value. Sexual desires for MOYANA, his old college friend, is conflicting trait. He believes in monk-hood and wants to know about deep secrets of the world and at the same time also want to possess Moyana. Kartik knows that he may be the next torch bearer of his monastery and traditions, but he likes freedom more than anything. He decides to take risk and run away from monastery in search of his girlfriend. It narrates the story of following the call of Universe, struggles, destiny and surrender. Synopsis: KARTIK, The YOUNK MONK knows that he must choose between his monkhood and girlfriend. He knows well that he is still not able to win desires of his youth and love for a girl, revolt against holy traditions of Monks of Pangchi will put him under the curse of masters. Young monk remained faithful in learning yogic practices, he has completed his lessons. He has mastered the sacred techniques. He can summon forces of the Universe for fulfilling his lust, but he is well aware of the consequences. At last he chooses to run away from monastery as he knows that he will never be a true monk and decide to bear the curse of his master. He believes that his love for MOYANA will never let him be a true monk. This love is his biggest hurdle in reaching the enlightenment. Young monk reaches again in the world from where he began his journey. He remembers his love for Moyana and how he was unable to express his love in their college days. He remembers how his dreams of a young monk and the quest for wisdom lead him in renouncing the world and after various struggles and discouragements. His destiny leads him to an OLD MONK of Pangchi, his master. Young monk now worries on his decision but his love for Moyana encourages him to continue his journey; he is quite excited about his meeting with Moyana. Numerous incidents and meetings force him to rethink on his decision; he realises that now return to the monastery is impossible and his decision may turn into disaster. He knows that Moyana might have engaged with

4 some man and his love for Moyana may be only one side of the coin. Her denial will cost him too much. His love for the masters, call of the duty and respect for the sacredness of souls does not allow him to call sacred energies of the Universe for the fulfilment of his lower human desire to get Moyana. He takes the risk of not interfering in destiny and continues his journey in search of his girlfriend.

5 Reading Sample Preview of Para II and III from the Chapter 1, the young monk: II No one ever dared to run away from Pangchi, and the young monk knew this better than anyone else. If I could simply melt down on the stone the young monk thought. He shifted to the edge of the large stone on the mountain and looked downwards. The young monk looked at the far-flung valleys of the Himalaya in the light of the moon, full of snow: white, white and white. He knew if he slipped no one would ever find the pieces of his bones. These mountains were beautiful. They had the power to kill. God knows how many seekers of truth might have lost their lives when they tried to cross these valleys to reach the land of Tibet. Only few of them reached the land and perhaps fewer might have attained the truth. The snow preserved their bones. The snow will also preserve my bones, if I jump he thought. I have two options, either to jump or return to the world. This time I have the courage. In time to come I may never get such courage, he whispered into the darkness of night. I don t care that perhaps I am going to be the next torch bearer of this tradition. My master has made a mistake by choosing me. It is his problem. I want to go back. I can t attain enlightenment in this birth. Alas! My master, your choice was wrong. You waited long for a wrong man, he whispered again into the darkness.

6 III The young monk stood on the stone and dared to show his nude chest to the deadly winds of the Himalaya. He knew they could not take the lives of Himalayan monks even if the monks are naked. At a safe distance in the valley, Chittu was still there. Though no one can see the body of the panther in this darkness the eyes of a panther are no less than red coals burning in the fire of the seventh hell. The young monk looked straight towards the eyes of the panther and whispered, Wait for me, for today you will not be alone in running away from the men of Pangchi.

7 Extract of A Monk and his Girlfriend ** Maxin James s first novel is about Kartik, a young monk, his internal revolts and his wanderings in search of the absolute. In lucid style, the author narrates the journey of Kartik from college to the Himalayas where he joined the Monks of Pangchi, a sect of monks with ancient traditions. Destined to become the head of the sect on the demise of his Master the young monk s yearnings take him to Moyana, his girlfriend from college days. Drawn into a whirlpool of questions and desires, Kartik follows the girl to the South. By the time he meets Moyana after much wanderings and different enigmatic experiences he realizes that the girl has progressed spiritually to another realm of existence abounded by peace and contentment. His experience leads the young monk to self-realization and the supreme enlightenment. Leaning from every experience, the mysterial monk returns to the North and along the way stays with a courtesan. Seven days of deep meditation at her house, sans physical contacts, leads the courtesan to realise her inner realm. The young monk finally realizes that it was his grandmaster from the sect who, despite his physical mahanirvana, controlled the disciple s destiny by making him undergo various experiences both of desire and of renouncement by working from within. Maxin James, the young author has chosen a subject that is dear to anyone interested in Indian thought and philosophy. He could treat the subject of enlightenment with astounding deftness because of his innate interest in such esoteric matters. In his writing the nature- people, river, tree and places included- is presented in its pristine glory and mystery and the language used radiates much charm. Maxin has indeed announced his arrival to the stage of Indian writing in English with élan and offers much promise as a young writer. ==================================================================== ======== Note: Maxin James, a Company Secretary by qualification and training and a writer by choice lives in Kochi and works for Muthoot Finance Ltd at its Head Office. ** (Extract of Article written by Mr. Muralidhara Rama Varma, Chief Transformation Officer of Muthoot Finance Ltd and an avid reader of fine classic & contemporary literature and philosophy, for a press meet )

8 Maxin James About the author Maxin James, a Company Secretary by qualification and training and a writer by choice and lives in Kochi, India. Maxin James is passionate about mythologies, nature and other uncountable things like reading and rambling along the sea shore and walking in nature. His primary interest in fiction is more on subtle aspect of storytelling especially on culture, arts, magical realism and spirituality. Visit him at:

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10 This is Extract/Preview of Book A monk and his Girlfriend Created for Author primarily for view at GoodReads.com. All Copyrights and other rights are held by the author and his Publisher as the case may be with respective trademarks or other Intellectual Property Rights as applicable. Trademarks of third parties are for reference purpose only. A Monk and His Girlfriend The Book is published by: Quintus An Imprint of ROMAN Books 26 York Street, London W1U 6PZ, United Kingdom Unit 49, Park Plaza, South Block, Ground Floor, 71, Park Street, Kolkata , WB, India 2nd Floor, 38/3, Andul Road, Howrah , WB, India ISBN: Maxin James, Year 2014 Scan the Barcode by Amazon App or other Device for purchasing the book: