The gift of self

Vandana Bhasin’s ‘The gift of self’ is a 231-page compilation of 71 poems subdivided into 6 sections. Published by Novoquill Publications, each section holds certain kinds of poems, which show the theme of that section. The title of the book itself evokes deep thought. It makes one wonder, ‘Isn’t the gift of self the most important gift that we can give to ourselves and to others?”

This book is a melange of verses that symbolize Vandana’s foray and experience with spirituality. Each of the poems is accompanied by a synopsis of Vandana’s thoughts, which make the reader not just connect to the verses but also understand them better.

1. Path to enlightenment – The first section speaks about the journey of the soul (my fav poem in this section), enlightenment, searching and seeking answers for oneself, salvation, ego, etc. The author explores themes of exploration, existence, and soul-searching. ‘Seeking to be Buddha’ is another beautiful poem from this section.
2. Quest for self – the titular poem ‘the quest for self’ is my fav from this section. This section is about journeys, the kind we embark on to improve ourselves as a person. These poems are about reflections and learning. ‘Fading footprints’ is another beautiful poem from this section.
3. Acceptance – this section is about accepting the present or where we are at the moment. My fav poem in this section is ‘And I pause for a while’. The poem is a reminder that we all need to take pause, reflect and then learn.
4. Awakening – This segment of the book is about self-introspection and rousing our inner conscious. My fav poem in this section is ‘have you seen my wings’.
5. Insights – This section is a reminder that the learning we take from life is to be employed for betterment. We must constantly endeavour to better ourselves. A beautiful section.
6. Divinity – the last section of the book is about finding a guiding light in the universe that ignites your faith. This section felt deeply personal to me.

This book is a beautiful compilation and the perfect companion for moments of solitude.