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VIBRANT: To Heal and Be Whole - From India to Oklahoma City
With every life comes challenge. How we deal with challenge is central to a life well-lived. The human spirit is resilient. We can grow through pain and become whole again. Even vibrant. Renowned Oklahoma City Psychiatrist R. Murali Krishna, M.D., has witnessed the strength of the human spirit. Now in his 60s, he wants to share the defining moments along with the defining lessons of his life. He shares his greatest joys and his greatest sorrows. He poses tough questions and guides you through exercises to take ownership of your own happiness. Vibrant will help you claim your spirit and explore your inner strength. It is within each of us to be vibrant!
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2012
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12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 5, 2018
Dr. Krishna is an amazing man with an incredible depth of knowledge. His story is one of trials, errors, service, and success.
December 28, 2013
“He used to tell me, Murali, if you have a house, it can burn down. If you have jewels, they can be stolen. The only thing that cannot be taken from you is what you have in your brain”(2). *Wise advice from Krishna’s grandfather, who he called Thatha.
***
“Life’s journey brings with it certain milestones. I will be happy when I get to start school. I will be happy when I get to middle school. I will be joyous when I can drive a car. I cannot wait until I am 21. But reality tells us that our teen years, though happy and care free, can be angst-filled and awkward….Age alone has little impact on happiness,” (10). Krishna makes a valid point.
I’m a middle school counselor and I hear “I will be happy when…” on a weekly if not daily basis by students and co-workers alike. Students tell me they can’t wait to graduate from middle to high school, which I can definitely understand. Adolescence is an incredibly awkward time and I don’t know of many adults who consider middle school to be the best time of their lives. However, even middle school has it’s pros. I have a sign on my desk that says “One Day At a Time” and I often point to it and encourage students to prepare for the future but to live in the present. I (gently) remind them that growing up comes with a laundry list of responsibilities. I’m the 7th grade counselor this year and my students have to complete an Academic & Career Plan which involves tentatively scheduling their classes for 8th grade and answering a variety of questions regarding their likes and dislikes in regards to their future academic and career goals. One student stated that he never wanted to grow up because it sounded too complicated. I assured him that being an adult has pros as well and mentioned that sometimes my husband eats cookies for dinner and plays video games daily. He perked up right away.
I have to remind myself and my co-workers to take it one day at a time. I often hear “Is it Friday yet?” and “I can’t wait until I retire.” Sadly we are wishing our lives away. The thought of retirement sounds soothing but I know from my grandparent’s journey through retirement that it comes with its own set of complications. It makes sense that “age alone has little impact on happiness.”
Krishna also points out that men and women are equally happy, therefore, gender plays no role. (If I have children in the future, I think that giving birth might be the only time I regret not being male).
In addition, Krishna states that money has little impact on happiness (as long as basic needs are met such as food and shelter). I’m not a materialistic person but I play the lottery from time to time and dream of becoming a successful author so that I can spend my time writing which is my true passion. However, I don’t think money exclusively equals happiness. I can think of many things that are more important than money including health and family.
Krishna also says that genetics play a key role in regards to happiness: “50% of happiness is determined by genetics, 10% on life experiences, and 40% is by choice” (12). By nature, I consider myself slightly more on the “glass half empty” view of life so I have to constantly remind myself to give thanks for the good in my life.
Anther part of Vibrant that resonated with me is the chapter focusing on ”Enjoying the Moment.” Like many people, I daydream about the future and reminisce about the past but I focus on the positives rather than the reality. My past wasn’t all sugar and spice nor will my future be and yet that’s what I remember and dream about. Living in the past or the future isn’t really living because the present is all we really have. It’s all we have a semblance of control of. Krishna sums it up best: ”The answer is not not complex. It is simple. Stay in the present. Be mindful. Be present. Be focused on what is in front of you” (22).
Vibrant is definitely worth a read. (And another read, and another…) I relate to Mary Fallin, the Governor of Oklahoma’s take on Vibrant: “Anyone reading this book will feel like he’s (Krishna) a longtime friend with sage advice.” Krishna’s words carry a sense of genuineness, kindness, and peacefulness.
***
“Life’s journey brings with it certain milestones. I will be happy when I get to start school. I will be happy when I get to middle school. I will be joyous when I can drive a car. I cannot wait until I am 21. But reality tells us that our teen years, though happy and care free, can be angst-filled and awkward….Age alone has little impact on happiness,” (10). Krishna makes a valid point.
I’m a middle school counselor and I hear “I will be happy when…” on a weekly if not daily basis by students and co-workers alike. Students tell me they can’t wait to graduate from middle to high school, which I can definitely understand. Adolescence is an incredibly awkward time and I don’t know of many adults who consider middle school to be the best time of their lives. However, even middle school has it’s pros. I have a sign on my desk that says “One Day At a Time” and I often point to it and encourage students to prepare for the future but to live in the present. I (gently) remind them that growing up comes with a laundry list of responsibilities. I’m the 7th grade counselor this year and my students have to complete an Academic & Career Plan which involves tentatively scheduling their classes for 8th grade and answering a variety of questions regarding their likes and dislikes in regards to their future academic and career goals. One student stated that he never wanted to grow up because it sounded too complicated. I assured him that being an adult has pros as well and mentioned that sometimes my husband eats cookies for dinner and plays video games daily. He perked up right away.
I have to remind myself and my co-workers to take it one day at a time. I often hear “Is it Friday yet?” and “I can’t wait until I retire.” Sadly we are wishing our lives away. The thought of retirement sounds soothing but I know from my grandparent’s journey through retirement that it comes with its own set of complications. It makes sense that “age alone has little impact on happiness.”
Krishna also points out that men and women are equally happy, therefore, gender plays no role. (If I have children in the future, I think that giving birth might be the only time I regret not being male).
In addition, Krishna states that money has little impact on happiness (as long as basic needs are met such as food and shelter). I’m not a materialistic person but I play the lottery from time to time and dream of becoming a successful author so that I can spend my time writing which is my true passion. However, I don’t think money exclusively equals happiness. I can think of many things that are more important than money including health and family.
Krishna also says that genetics play a key role in regards to happiness: “50% of happiness is determined by genetics, 10% on life experiences, and 40% is by choice” (12). By nature, I consider myself slightly more on the “glass half empty” view of life so I have to constantly remind myself to give thanks for the good in my life.
Anther part of Vibrant that resonated with me is the chapter focusing on ”Enjoying the Moment.” Like many people, I daydream about the future and reminisce about the past but I focus on the positives rather than the reality. My past wasn’t all sugar and spice nor will my future be and yet that’s what I remember and dream about. Living in the past or the future isn’t really living because the present is all we really have. It’s all we have a semblance of control of. Krishna sums it up best: ”The answer is not not complex. It is simple. Stay in the present. Be mindful. Be present. Be focused on what is in front of you” (22).
Vibrant is definitely worth a read. (And another read, and another…) I relate to Mary Fallin, the Governor of Oklahoma’s take on Vibrant: “Anyone reading this book will feel like he’s (Krishna) a longtime friend with sage advice.” Krishna’s words carry a sense of genuineness, kindness, and peacefulness.
May 3, 2013
Review of
VIBRANT: To heal and be whole
(From India to Oklahoma City)
By R. Murali Krishna, MD with Kelly Dyer Fry
This is a wonderfully positive book. It has a unique structure: the odd chapters form Dr. Krishna’s autobiography; the even chapters present much his philosophy of life and some of his philosophy of the practice of psychiatry. I enjoyed this book. It is one that I probably will read multiple times.
In reading Dr. Krishna’s autobiography, most of us would wonder whether we could have survived a childhood as encumbered with challenges as was Dr. Krishna’s childhood. Although Dr. Krishna is much older, the lessons his grandfather taught him are just as alive in his life now as they were in his youth. His grandfather (his Thatha) imputed a great deal of wisdom reflecting Eastern philosophy to Murali in their conversations together throughout Murali’s youthful years. As Murali has shown through his living first in England and more recently, living in the United States, it is equally valid in the West.
Murali had the challenge of seeing his mother (Amma) becoming mentally ill while he was still a small child. He did not understand what was happening to his mother at that time, and he did not understand until much, much later. It is possible that his mother’s illness is what led him to his second medical specialty, psychiatry. In other ways, his childhood was as “normal” as any other: going to school, fighting with siblings, etc.
Murali continues to practice the philosophy he has been taught through his many life lessons including those early lessons from his Thatha. A summary of many of these lessons comprises the even chapters of the book. Murali includes reflections on happiness, gratitude, enjoyment, and healing among other topics. The topic to which I personally must pay close attention is [life] balance. As Murali did, I have a tendency to let my life get out of balance with too much work and not enough time spent with family and friends.
I would recommend this book to almost anyone. I would prefer young people in my extended family read it soon after their 14th birthday, the time I believe the could understand some of the traumas that Murali describes from his childhood. I enjoyed the book. I find Murali’s life fascinating. I also appreciate his short expositions on the many philosophical topics that are applicable directly to life today.
My main criticisms of this book are (1) its structure (deliberate on the part of the author), and (2) the jumping among the various usages of person (1st ,2nd, and 3rd) in the writing. The next time that I read this book, I will read the odd chapters consecutively followed by doing the same with the even chapters. I believe the pronoun usage could be improved in a future edition. Right now, the prose suffers somewhat from the fact that Murali wrote much of the text himself, but he also dictated much of it to Ms. Fry. I would have given this book a 5 star rating except for these two things.
VIBRANT: To heal and be whole
(From India to Oklahoma City)
By R. Murali Krishna, MD with Kelly Dyer Fry
This is a wonderfully positive book. It has a unique structure: the odd chapters form Dr. Krishna’s autobiography; the even chapters present much his philosophy of life and some of his philosophy of the practice of psychiatry. I enjoyed this book. It is one that I probably will read multiple times.
In reading Dr. Krishna’s autobiography, most of us would wonder whether we could have survived a childhood as encumbered with challenges as was Dr. Krishna’s childhood. Although Dr. Krishna is much older, the lessons his grandfather taught him are just as alive in his life now as they were in his youth. His grandfather (his Thatha) imputed a great deal of wisdom reflecting Eastern philosophy to Murali in their conversations together throughout Murali’s youthful years. As Murali has shown through his living first in England and more recently, living in the United States, it is equally valid in the West.
Murali had the challenge of seeing his mother (Amma) becoming mentally ill while he was still a small child. He did not understand what was happening to his mother at that time, and he did not understand until much, much later. It is possible that his mother’s illness is what led him to his second medical specialty, psychiatry. In other ways, his childhood was as “normal” as any other: going to school, fighting with siblings, etc.
Murali continues to practice the philosophy he has been taught through his many life lessons including those early lessons from his Thatha. A summary of many of these lessons comprises the even chapters of the book. Murali includes reflections on happiness, gratitude, enjoyment, and healing among other topics. The topic to which I personally must pay close attention is [life] balance. As Murali did, I have a tendency to let my life get out of balance with too much work and not enough time spent with family and friends.
I would recommend this book to almost anyone. I would prefer young people in my extended family read it soon after their 14th birthday, the time I believe the could understand some of the traumas that Murali describes from his childhood. I enjoyed the book. I find Murali’s life fascinating. I also appreciate his short expositions on the many philosophical topics that are applicable directly to life today.
My main criticisms of this book are (1) its structure (deliberate on the part of the author), and (2) the jumping among the various usages of person (1st ,2nd, and 3rd) in the writing. The next time that I read this book, I will read the odd chapters consecutively followed by doing the same with the even chapters. I believe the pronoun usage could be improved in a future edition. Right now, the prose suffers somewhat from the fact that Murali wrote much of the text himself, but he also dictated much of it to Ms. Fry. I would have given this book a 5 star rating except for these two things.
June 6, 2013
Krishna’s personal memoir on finding his own resilience through adversity is interspersed with an intelligent and compassionate approach to treating the mind, body, and spirit in a book that instructs as much as it inspires.
More here: http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/t...
More here: http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/t...
December 7, 2015
There are many uplifting, inspiring and quotable aspects of this book. The writing style, however, was distracting to me. It seemed very disjointed, and the amount of passive voice was noticeable. The doctor's work is admirable and worthy of study.
February 3, 2014
One man's journey from India to a physician in Oklahoma. it is an uplifting read as he finds out what is important and fights to help those heal from within
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews