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The Four-Way Path: A Guide to Purushartha and India's Spiritual Traditions for a Life of Happiness, Success, and Purpose
An inspiring guide to achieving happiness through purushartha (pronounced poo-roo-shar-tuh), or the four ultimate goals of human life, by the bestselling authors of Ikigai and The Book of Ichigo Ichie.
Modern life presents us with such a dizzying array of options that it can be easy to doubt we’re living the life we’re meant to be living. But the authors of the global bestseller Ikigai, about the Japanese concept that has helped millions of people discover their reason for being, are now on a mission to show how the ancient Hindu concept of purushartha, meaning the ultimate goal of life, provides a powerful framework for charting a path toward a life of purpose and fulfillment in our complex modern world.
The authors have made many trips to India, where Ikigai has sold more copies than anywhere else in the world, and were inspired to write a book honoring the balanced ways of life they attribute to fostering happiness and achievement. In The Four-Way Path, they draw on practices from India’s numerous spiritual traditions to show you how to cultivate the four components of purushartha:
• your dharma, or what the world needs from you
• your kama, or what you love doing
• your artha, or what you need to sustain your life
• your moksha, or your truest, most actualized self
If you already know what your purpose in life is, then this book provides a blueprint for living in accordance with your purushartha. If you don’t yet know, then it will give you the tools to start the adventure of knowing yourself better, and to bring inspiration, beauty, peace, and purpose to your daily life.
Modern life presents us with such a dizzying array of options that it can be easy to doubt we’re living the life we’re meant to be living. But the authors of the global bestseller Ikigai, about the Japanese concept that has helped millions of people discover their reason for being, are now on a mission to show how the ancient Hindu concept of purushartha, meaning the ultimate goal of life, provides a powerful framework for charting a path toward a life of purpose and fulfillment in our complex modern world.
The authors have made many trips to India, where Ikigai has sold more copies than anywhere else in the world, and were inspired to write a book honoring the balanced ways of life they attribute to fostering happiness and achievement. In The Four-Way Path, they draw on practices from India’s numerous spiritual traditions to show you how to cultivate the four components of purushartha:
• your dharma, or what the world needs from you
• your kama, or what you love doing
• your artha, or what you need to sustain your life
• your moksha, or your truest, most actualized self
If you already know what your purpose in life is, then this book provides a blueprint for living in accordance with your purushartha. If you don’t yet know, then it will give you the tools to start the adventure of knowing yourself better, and to bring inspiration, beauty, peace, and purpose to your daily life.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2022
91 people are currently reading
2830 people want to read
About the author
Héctor García
29 books1,441 followersI'm the author of several Japanese culture books: The Magic of Japan, Ikigai the Japanese Secret for a Long and Happy Life, The Book of Ichigo Ichie, Shinrinyoku, The Ikigai Journey and A Geek in Japan.
I LOVE reading and writing.
Autor de los libros sobre cultura japonesa: La Magia de Japón, Ikigai, Ichigo Ichie, Shinrinyoku, Un Geek en Japón.
http://amazon.com/author/hectorgarcia
I LOVE reading and writing.
Autor de los libros sobre cultura japonesa: La Magia de Japón, Ikigai, Ichigo Ichie, Shinrinyoku, Un Geek en Japón.
http://amazon.com/author/hectorgarcia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 5, 2024
A disappointing and superficial book. It seems like the writers go to India for the first time and write a book about some basic elements of the Indian culture.
They write mostly from a Western point of view, with references to Western films, for example. They use popular terms while using them in the wrong way.
Indian culture has much to teach the Western world, so much more depth can be incorporated in the book, even if it is complicated.
What is rather disturbing is that 'ikigai' keeps coming back in the book, while that has nothing to do with this book.
They write mostly from a Western point of view, with references to Western films, for example. They use popular terms while using them in the wrong way.
Indian culture has much to teach the Western world, so much more depth can be incorporated in the book, even if it is complicated.
What is rather disturbing is that 'ikigai' keeps coming back in the book, while that has nothing to do with this book.
May 7, 2025
This was a chill read with lots of interesting facts about India as a country, its culture, and mostly Hinduism and spiritual practices. It's a great introduction for those who had no idea about these topics.
This book was randomly picked for me by someone (shoutout to bro, i know ur reading this 🗣️ 🫶🏻), and I'd be honest it's not the type of book I would naturally gravitate to. But I'm also in a very uncertain season of my life atm, and reading this book gave me a sense of peace and soothed me a little.
I've never learned about Hinduism and spirituality like that, so reading about its main values was one of the memorable parts of the book and it made me a Hinduism appreciator 😦:
"Tolerance is essentially a patronizing virtue: the tolerant person assumes he has the truth but magnanimously is willing to allow others the right to be wrong. But the Hindu, grounded in acceptance, sees the truth in all beliefs: he accepts the other's truth, demanding only that the other accept his truth."
As I mentioned above, this book is very surface level, but it doesn't make it bad, I still found the information valuable and interesting.
I also noticed that the book tried to look at all these concepts from the americanized/western point of view, making references and connecting them with some western pop-culture personalities or events (Nirvana, Beatles, Elizabeth Gilbert - the author of the book "Eat, Pray, Love", etc.). I wish it didn't try to serve itself to western audiences so badly, but oh well.
I think it's a good book to return to to be reminded of some universal truths mentioned:
"... all forms of worship reach the same divine."
"Buddha: 'Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.'"
"It is difficult to understand our own culture if we are always immersed in it."
"No man is an island."
"I do my thing and you do your thing. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, And you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you, and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, it's beautiful. If not, it can't be helped."
"- How should we treat others?" "- Others do not exist." - this referred to the idea that the feeling of us being separate from the rest is just an illusion, and in fact all of us essentially have the same needs, and in reality we are all one. It's just all of us together, not you and others.
and my favorite: "... when we are moved by the work of art, we feel that we are merging into an almost total experience, in which the line between viewer and viewed disappears."
This book was randomly picked for me by someone (shoutout to bro, i know ur reading this 🗣️ 🫶🏻), and I'd be honest it's not the type of book I would naturally gravitate to. But I'm also in a very uncertain season of my life atm, and reading this book gave me a sense of peace and soothed me a little.
I've never learned about Hinduism and spirituality like that, so reading about its main values was one of the memorable parts of the book and it made me a Hinduism appreciator 😦:
"Tolerance is essentially a patronizing virtue: the tolerant person assumes he has the truth but magnanimously is willing to allow others the right to be wrong. But the Hindu, grounded in acceptance, sees the truth in all beliefs: he accepts the other's truth, demanding only that the other accept his truth."
As I mentioned above, this book is very surface level, but it doesn't make it bad, I still found the information valuable and interesting.
I also noticed that the book tried to look at all these concepts from the americanized/western point of view, making references and connecting them with some western pop-culture personalities or events (Nirvana, Beatles, Elizabeth Gilbert - the author of the book "Eat, Pray, Love", etc.). I wish it didn't try to serve itself to western audiences so badly, but oh well.
I think it's a good book to return to to be reminded of some universal truths mentioned:
"... all forms of worship reach the same divine."
"Buddha: 'Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.'"
"It is difficult to understand our own culture if we are always immersed in it."
"No man is an island."
"I do my thing and you do your thing. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, And you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you, and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, it's beautiful. If not, it can't be helped."
"- How should we treat others?" "- Others do not exist." - this referred to the idea that the feeling of us being separate from the rest is just an illusion, and in fact all of us essentially have the same needs, and in reality we are all one. It's just all of us together, not you and others.
and my favorite: "... when we are moved by the work of art, we feel that we are merging into an almost total experience, in which the line between viewer and viewed disappears."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2024
Adorei este livro, desde a escrita aos conteúdos.
Além de nos transportar para a Índia, para o Japão e para as suas tradições, reflete sobre ensinamentos e práticas que podemos realizar, uma vez que o livro tem uma componente teórica, mas também uma vertente prática.
Alguns conceitos são familiares para mim através do yoga, outros são novos.
Fiquei curiosa para ler mais obras destes escritores.
Além de nos transportar para a Índia, para o Japão e para as suas tradições, reflete sobre ensinamentos e práticas que podemos realizar, uma vez que o livro tem uma componente teórica, mas também uma vertente prática.
Alguns conceitos são familiares para mim através do yoga, outros são novos.
Fiquei curiosa para ler mais obras destes escritores.
April 11, 2023
Este libro ofrece una amplia explicación sobre la base de la cultura hindú y las corrientes religiosas en la zona del sudeste asiático, a la vez que proporciona una nueva perspectiva para lidiar con nuestras vidas desde el punto de vista de estas religiones.
Empecé a leerme este libro porque quería informarme más sobre esta cultura. Doy gracias al universo por habérmelo puesto en el camino, ya que me ha ayudado a lidiar con algunos problemas en mi vida y tomar otra perspectiva. A lo largo de la lectura, he ido cogiendo ideas de aquí y de allá para aplicarlas en mi vida diaria.
Es verdad que me esperaba más un tono de libro de autoayuda y no tanto relato sobre las culturas hinduistas y budistas. Sin embrago, esto me ha traído conocimiento nuevo a la vez que ayuda.
Empecé a leerme este libro porque quería informarme más sobre esta cultura. Doy gracias al universo por habérmelo puesto en el camino, ya que me ha ayudado a lidiar con algunos problemas en mi vida y tomar otra perspectiva. A lo largo de la lectura, he ido cogiendo ideas de aquí y de allá para aplicarlas en mi vida diaria.
Es verdad que me esperaba más un tono de libro de autoayuda y no tanto relato sobre las culturas hinduistas y budistas. Sin embrago, esto me ha traído conocimiento nuevo a la vez que ayuda.
March 1, 2023
Jos haluat entiseltä it-insinööriltä pintapuolisia listoja, pari skandaalinkäryistä eksoottista kulttuurinostoa ja kädenlämpöistä "on kiinnostavaa että kahdessa kulttuurissa on samoja asioita" -pohdintaa, tämä on sinun kirjasi.
Tekijöiltä kannattaa tämänkin perusteella lukea ainoastaan ensimmäinen teos, sillä jopa matkakohdetta vaihdettaessa ikigai kulkee edelleen jonkinlaisena pääteemana taustalla.
Harvinaisen ohut, aika lailla sieluton cherrypicked läpyskä, joka löyhkää pukumiehen "henkistymiseltä" aka kävin kerran temppelissä ja sanoinko jo että Beatles ja Steve Jobs ja *insert jokainen valkoinen rahakas miesidoli tähän* --
Tekijöiltä kannattaa tämänkin perusteella lukea ainoastaan ensimmäinen teos, sillä jopa matkakohdetta vaihdettaessa ikigai kulkee edelleen jonkinlaisena pääteemana taustalla.
Harvinaisen ohut, aika lailla sieluton cherrypicked läpyskä, joka löyhkää pukumiehen "henkistymiseltä" aka kävin kerran temppelissä ja sanoinko jo että Beatles ja Steve Jobs ja *insert jokainen valkoinen rahakas miesidoli tähän* --
February 19, 2023
2,5 ⭐️ vermakelijk simpel boekje met veel te weinig informatie over waar het over zou moeten gaan. India.
Om de haverklap worden Japanse gebruiken aangehaald uit hun andere boek Ikigai in plaats van de Indiase equivalent te gebruiken. India heeft zoveel verhalen, gebruiken en methoden die werden in dit boek maar summier aangestipt.
Ook veel westerse filosofen en schrijvers worden genoemd met methoden en filosofieën waarvan die ruimte in mijn ogen gebruikt had kunnen worden voor de Indiase geschiedenis of verhalen of gebruiken.
Weinig diepgang.
Teleurstellend.
Om de haverklap worden Japanse gebruiken aangehaald uit hun andere boek Ikigai in plaats van de Indiase equivalent te gebruiken. India heeft zoveel verhalen, gebruiken en methoden die werden in dit boek maar summier aangestipt.
Ook veel westerse filosofen en schrijvers worden genoemd met methoden en filosofieën waarvan die ruimte in mijn ogen gebruikt had kunnen worden voor de Indiase geschiedenis of verhalen of gebruiken.
Weinig diepgang.
Teleurstellend.
October 9, 2024
Unsettling. It either reads like they heavily used Chat-GPT or like they think their audience are idiots. Devoid of synthesis or analysis or any attempt to address contradictions.
June 28, 2025
Reading the first half of this, I had a fairly adverse response - the boring self-help airport writing style tropes / coffee-table-display-to-never-pickup-again vibe and the lack of historical exposition beyond the most superficial (and sometimes questionable) context, left me feeling a bit embarrassed to be reading it.
However reading the second, more ‘practical’, half after my dog died made me reconsider the polemic. Yes, it gives up nuance for accessibility but that’s exactly the function of something like this - to lay a foundation who haven’t encountered such teachings before and allow them to connect with it, not just in theory but in application.
Ultimately, the spiritual is something experienced and while pretty basic, this goes some way towards getting out of your head to do that - serenity is achieved not through contemplation but through practice, particularly in such a nurturing tradition.
Also really like the way ‘karma’ is portrayed here and how ‘the law of karma is not a punishment but rather an opportunity to learn, and to live consciously and be free to choose one’s path’, where karma becomes the learning we have yet to complete.
However reading the second, more ‘practical’, half after my dog died made me reconsider the polemic. Yes, it gives up nuance for accessibility but that’s exactly the function of something like this - to lay a foundation who haven’t encountered such teachings before and allow them to connect with it, not just in theory but in application.
Ultimately, the spiritual is something experienced and while pretty basic, this goes some way towards getting out of your head to do that - serenity is achieved not through contemplation but through practice, particularly in such a nurturing tradition.
Also really like the way ‘karma’ is portrayed here and how ‘the law of karma is not a punishment but rather an opportunity to learn, and to live consciously and be free to choose one’s path’, where karma becomes the learning we have yet to complete.
June 16, 2025
The Beatles references were so annoying like pls, also other analogies provided just seemed so pushed? I really only enjoyed the end portion where it spoke on yoga and Ayurveda.
March 9, 2024
Un libro fantástico, muy inspirador y relajante. He aprendido mucho de la cultura india mientras a la vez me relajaba. Tiene 5 estrellas porque entra en la categoría de esos libros que vuelvo a empezar nada más terminarlos. Muchas gracias a Belén por esta gran recomendación y por prestarme el libro. Era justo lo que necesitaba en este momento.
December 8, 2024
The Four-Way Path offers a refreshing exploration of the ancient Hindu concept of purushartha, presenting it as a timeless framework for navigating modern life's complexities. Héctor García and Francesc Miralles draw meaningful parallels between India's spiritual traditions and universal human desires for purpose, happiness, and balance.
The book's structure, focusing on dharma, kama, artha, and moksha, provides both philosophical insights and actionable steps, making it approachable for readers at any stage of their personal growth journey. Whether you're seeking clarity about your life's purpose or striving for a more harmonious existence, this guide has something to offer.
The authors' deep respect for Indian spirituality shines through, and Shashi Tharoor’s foreword adds depth to the book’s cultural grounding. However, some readers might find the coverage a bit surface-level compared to more specialized spiritual texts.
Perfect for fans of Ikigai or anyone curious about integrating ancient wisdom into contemporary life, The Four-Way Path inspires reflection and encourages readers to align their lives with timeless principles.
The book's structure, focusing on dharma, kama, artha, and moksha, provides both philosophical insights and actionable steps, making it approachable for readers at any stage of their personal growth journey. Whether you're seeking clarity about your life's purpose or striving for a more harmonious existence, this guide has something to offer.
The authors' deep respect for Indian spirituality shines through, and Shashi Tharoor’s foreword adds depth to the book’s cultural grounding. However, some readers might find the coverage a bit surface-level compared to more specialized spiritual texts.
Perfect for fans of Ikigai or anyone curious about integrating ancient wisdom into contemporary life, The Four-Way Path inspires reflection and encourages readers to align their lives with timeless principles.
February 7, 2025
So many haters on this book, but I really enjoyed it.
I’m not religious, but came out really appreciative of Hindu/Indian culture. It’s not super in depth, more surface level knowledge, but I think it’s a good book to read at my age coz it explores happiness and goals for career, relationships, travel and a lot on gratitude. Some parts of the book really spoke to me but didn’t go into all the themes that deeply. Excited to read ikigai tho xx
I’m not religious, but came out really appreciative of Hindu/Indian culture. It’s not super in depth, more surface level knowledge, but I think it’s a good book to read at my age coz it explores happiness and goals for career, relationships, travel and a lot on gratitude. Some parts of the book really spoke to me but didn’t go into all the themes that deeply. Excited to read ikigai tho xx
March 6, 2025
Es innegable que este tipo de libros me encantan, aunque como en todos los géneros, los hay mejores y peores, muy diferentes entre sí y que nos aportan unas cosas u otras, en este caso, para mí ha sido un completo acierto.
Había leído otro de los libros de los autores "Ikigai" y ya en su momento le di 5 estrellas. En "Ikigai" nos encontrábamos con el estilo de vida y la sabiduría japonés y en "Namasté" nos trasladamos a India.
Se trata de un libro muy completo, que nos acerca con gran facilidad la Historia de India, su estilo de vida, sus tradiciones y el comienzo y desarrollo de la espiritualidad, como columna vertebral del país y que sirve a muchos de sus ciudadanos a llevar una vida con propósito.
Nos acerca a conceptos como el karma, el ayurveda o el tantra, entre otros. Plantea algunos ejercicios para tomar conciencia de nosotros mismos. Sé que recurriré a él en más de una ocasión.
Muy recomendable si te interesan ente tipo de libros. Si bien hay cosas que son bastante obvias o están un poquito manidas, a mí me sirven como recordatorio para poner el foco en lo verdaderamente importante en mi día a día, agradecer y apreciar las pequeñas cosas que engrandecen nuestra vida.
Soy partidaria de elegir este tipo de libros siempre que nos aporten algo, nos ayuden a ver nuestra vida y la de los demás de una manera más amable y empática, y no ejerzan en nosotros esa presión añadida que de por sí ya tienen las constantes responsabilidades y cargas que debemos asumir.
Había leído otro de los libros de los autores "Ikigai" y ya en su momento le di 5 estrellas. En "Ikigai" nos encontrábamos con el estilo de vida y la sabiduría japonés y en "Namasté" nos trasladamos a India.
Se trata de un libro muy completo, que nos acerca con gran facilidad la Historia de India, su estilo de vida, sus tradiciones y el comienzo y desarrollo de la espiritualidad, como columna vertebral del país y que sirve a muchos de sus ciudadanos a llevar una vida con propósito.
Nos acerca a conceptos como el karma, el ayurveda o el tantra, entre otros. Plantea algunos ejercicios para tomar conciencia de nosotros mismos. Sé que recurriré a él en más de una ocasión.
Muy recomendable si te interesan ente tipo de libros. Si bien hay cosas que son bastante obvias o están un poquito manidas, a mí me sirven como recordatorio para poner el foco en lo verdaderamente importante en mi día a día, agradecer y apreciar las pequeñas cosas que engrandecen nuestra vida.
Soy partidaria de elegir este tipo de libros siempre que nos aporten algo, nos ayuden a ver nuestra vida y la de los demás de una manera más amable y empática, y no ejerzan en nosotros esa presión añadida que de por sí ya tienen las constantes responsabilidades y cargas que debemos asumir.
December 22, 2024
Namaste is a relatively short, light introductory read on Indian culture, intended for Western audiences, but it lacks in-depth exploration. The book is divided into three parts: the first covers basic concepts of Indian culture, the second explores Indian philosophy, and the third covers wellness and yoga. For those looking for a quick overview, it delivers. However, readers seeking a comprehensive dive into Indian culture should probably skip it.
I did pick up a few new things about India's cultural heritage that I hadn't known before. Although the material isn't detailed, it provides a snapshot of key cultural ideas for readers who aren't interested in an academic exploration.
The occasional references to Ikigai and other authors' work didn't bother me because they're brief and not distracting. Honestly, I'm more puzzled that some readers find these references bothersome.
The Western cultural references help make Indian culture more relatable to a Western audience, which is likely the goal here; Indians don't need this book. Still, I think that including more contemporary Indian cultural references that could easily be found online even while reading would have brought Indian culture even closer to the reader.
There are a few woo-woo concepts here that I'm not particularly fond of, and the book lacks a strong distinction between historical and scientific approaches when discussing wellness advice.
Since I've practiced yoga, I skimmed the third part of the book, as I was already familiar with most of the material. Content like this might be more engaging in a video format with its potential for demonstrations. If I were the authors, I'd consider opening a YouTube channel to expand on the ideas in their books.
Ultimately, Namaste feels more like a series of short YouTube videos on Indian culture than a cohesive, insightful read. Some of the personal development advice feels recycled, and the book lacks depth for readers genuinely interested in Indian traditions or personal growth. I was torn between 2 and 3 stars but settled on 2, as I wouldn't particularly recommend it for those seeking real insight into India or personal growth.
I did pick up a few new things about India's cultural heritage that I hadn't known before. Although the material isn't detailed, it provides a snapshot of key cultural ideas for readers who aren't interested in an academic exploration.
The occasional references to Ikigai and other authors' work didn't bother me because they're brief and not distracting. Honestly, I'm more puzzled that some readers find these references bothersome.
The Western cultural references help make Indian culture more relatable to a Western audience, which is likely the goal here; Indians don't need this book. Still, I think that including more contemporary Indian cultural references that could easily be found online even while reading would have brought Indian culture even closer to the reader.
There are a few woo-woo concepts here that I'm not particularly fond of, and the book lacks a strong distinction between historical and scientific approaches when discussing wellness advice.
Since I've practiced yoga, I skimmed the third part of the book, as I was already familiar with most of the material. Content like this might be more engaging in a video format with its potential for demonstrations. If I were the authors, I'd consider opening a YouTube channel to expand on the ideas in their books.
Ultimately, Namaste feels more like a series of short YouTube videos on Indian culture than a cohesive, insightful read. Some of the personal development advice feels recycled, and the book lacks depth for readers genuinely interested in Indian traditions or personal growth. I was torn between 2 and 3 stars but settled on 2, as I wouldn't particularly recommend it for those seeking real insight into India or personal growth.
February 8, 2025
A really wonderful book and it was genuinely such a delight to read. After reading the Ikigai book and learning about the Japanese way of happiness, it was really fascinating to learn about the Indian way.
There's a lot of parts in the book that got me thinking and wondering how can apply this to my lifestyle and wellbeing! I've bookmarked a lot of pages that resonated with me.
I would recommend it for anyone who loves to read about personal development, wellbeing and culture!
There's a lot of parts in the book that got me thinking and wondering how can apply this to my lifestyle and wellbeing! I've bookmarked a lot of pages that resonated with me.
I would recommend it for anyone who loves to read about personal development, wellbeing and culture!
July 4, 2025
"The only certain thing is that if you don't try, everything will stay the same"
Es war spannend sich zur Abwechslung mal mit der indischen Kultur auseinanderzusetzen, da ich das zuletzt, glaube ich, während meiner Schulzeit gemacht habe.
Außerdem habe ich bis jetzt noch nicht so viele Bücher gefunden, die sich mit den spirituellen Aspekten im Hinduismus befassen und habe mich wirklich darauf gefreut, das Buch zu lesen.
Im Großen und Ganzen geht es in diesem Buch, wie auch schon in "Ikigai", darum, wie man im Leben glücklich wird und seinem Leben Erfüllung bereiten kann.
In "The four way path" wird dafür enger Bezug auf den Hinduismus und die spirituellen Praktiken in Indien genommen. Diese werden ausführlich erklärt und anhand von Beispielen dargestellt. Außerdem wird auch auf Praktiken, die hier im Westen bereits Anklang finden, wie Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, etc. Bezug genommen und der Ursprung erläutert. Zum Ende hin gibt es sogar Schritt für Schritt Anleitungen um einige dieser Praktiken ausprobieren zu können.
Zusätzlich werden auch bekannte Persönlichkeiten des Landes vorgestellt, wie CEOs, Gurus, Wissenschaftler und einige mehr. Es wird ein kurzer Eindruck des Lebens dieser Personen erschaffen und teilweise anhand von Briefen oder traditionellen Fabeln dargestellt.
Die Erzählung selbst wird immer wieder unterbrochen durch kleine Anekdoten, in denen der indische "Way of Life" von anderen, europäischen Ländern angegriffen und ausgelebt wird. Auch die Parallelen zur japanischen Lebensphilosophie des Ikigai werden immer mal wieder gezogen.
Alles in allem ist das Buch (trotz der Kürze) relativ umfangreich gestaltet um einen Überblick über Indien und den Hinduismus zu erhalten und auch für sich selbst einige Praktiken und Übungen in den Alltag zu integrieren. Der Vergleich zu anderen Ländern und Kulturen, sowie die Vorstellung einzelner Persönlichkeiten des Landes, machen die Kultur greifbarer.
Ich hatte echt Spaß daran, in eine vollkommen andere Welt einzutauchen und etwas Neues zu lernen.
Einge Dinge konnte ich auch für mich mitnehmen.
Es war spannend sich zur Abwechslung mal mit der indischen Kultur auseinanderzusetzen, da ich das zuletzt, glaube ich, während meiner Schulzeit gemacht habe.
Außerdem habe ich bis jetzt noch nicht so viele Bücher gefunden, die sich mit den spirituellen Aspekten im Hinduismus befassen und habe mich wirklich darauf gefreut, das Buch zu lesen.
Im Großen und Ganzen geht es in diesem Buch, wie auch schon in "Ikigai", darum, wie man im Leben glücklich wird und seinem Leben Erfüllung bereiten kann.
In "The four way path" wird dafür enger Bezug auf den Hinduismus und die spirituellen Praktiken in Indien genommen. Diese werden ausführlich erklärt und anhand von Beispielen dargestellt. Außerdem wird auch auf Praktiken, die hier im Westen bereits Anklang finden, wie Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, etc. Bezug genommen und der Ursprung erläutert. Zum Ende hin gibt es sogar Schritt für Schritt Anleitungen um einige dieser Praktiken ausprobieren zu können.
Zusätzlich werden auch bekannte Persönlichkeiten des Landes vorgestellt, wie CEOs, Gurus, Wissenschaftler und einige mehr. Es wird ein kurzer Eindruck des Lebens dieser Personen erschaffen und teilweise anhand von Briefen oder traditionellen Fabeln dargestellt.
Die Erzählung selbst wird immer wieder unterbrochen durch kleine Anekdoten, in denen der indische "Way of Life" von anderen, europäischen Ländern angegriffen und ausgelebt wird. Auch die Parallelen zur japanischen Lebensphilosophie des Ikigai werden immer mal wieder gezogen.
Alles in allem ist das Buch (trotz der Kürze) relativ umfangreich gestaltet um einen Überblick über Indien und den Hinduismus zu erhalten und auch für sich selbst einige Praktiken und Übungen in den Alltag zu integrieren. Der Vergleich zu anderen Ländern und Kulturen, sowie die Vorstellung einzelner Persönlichkeiten des Landes, machen die Kultur greifbarer.
Ich hatte echt Spaß daran, in eine vollkommen andere Welt einzutauchen und etwas Neues zu lernen.
Einge Dinge konnte ich auch für mich mitnehmen.
September 10, 2024
Hinduism sees truth in all beliefs. There is an option of divinities to adore, of rituals to observe, of practices to honor, of fasts to keep.
Hinduism grants and respects complete freedom to the believer to find their own answers to the true meaning of life. Placing great emphasis on one's mind and values ones reflection, intellectual inquiry and self study. Hinduism accepts all paths as equally valid. The only major religion in the world that does not claim to be the only true religion.
What do I love doing?
What do I want?
What does the world need from me?
Why do I exist?
What do I need to sustain my life?
Define yourself without mentioning your name, your job, your family, your country
Who am I in the truest sense?
If you want to know the truth, you must converse with an open mind rather than simply asserting your own opinion.
Learn to give up the things that you do not truly need. Continually let go.
Only if you close the door to everything inessential will you be able to focus on what is really important.
Dare to make contact with people you admire.
Leave positive vibrations.
OM Happiness
MA Patience
NI Discipline
PAD Wisdom
ME generosity
HUM diligence
Become less attached with anything that smothers your happiness
How should I treat others?
Others do not exist.
Be a part of something that is much larger than yourself.
Learn from those who know.
Let go of everything you don't need.
Choose your fellow travelers well.
Live mindfully.
Know yourself.
Put an end to vicious cycles.
Breathe.
Feed your mind, body and spirit.
Live in the moment.
Hinduism grants and respects complete freedom to the believer to find their own answers to the true meaning of life. Placing great emphasis on one's mind and values ones reflection, intellectual inquiry and self study. Hinduism accepts all paths as equally valid. The only major religion in the world that does not claim to be the only true religion.
What do I love doing?
What do I want?
What does the world need from me?
Why do I exist?
What do I need to sustain my life?
Define yourself without mentioning your name, your job, your family, your country
Who am I in the truest sense?
If you want to know the truth, you must converse with an open mind rather than simply asserting your own opinion.
Learn to give up the things that you do not truly need. Continually let go.
Only if you close the door to everything inessential will you be able to focus on what is really important.
Dare to make contact with people you admire.
Leave positive vibrations.
OM Happiness
MA Patience
NI Discipline
PAD Wisdom
ME generosity
HUM diligence
Become less attached with anything that smothers your happiness
How should I treat others?
Others do not exist.
Be a part of something that is much larger than yourself.
Learn from those who know.
Let go of everything you don't need.
Choose your fellow travelers well.
Live mindfully.
Know yourself.
Put an end to vicious cycles.
Breathe.
Feed your mind, body and spirit.
Live in the moment.
October 8, 2024
The Four-Way Path offers an insightful glimpse into Indian spiritual traditions, presenting concepts and practices in a way that is accessible to readers. For those new to spirituality, this book serves as an excellent starting point, providing foundational knowledge and encouragement to explore further.
However, for readers like me who have delved into countless spiritual texts, this work may come across as somewhat simplistic. The ideas presented, while well-intentioned, often lack the depth and nuance that more experienced seekers might expect.
It's commendable that the authors undertook a personal spiritual quest as part of their research for this book. Their genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter is evident, yet it sometimes feels as if they could have achieved similar insights through a more thorough library search rather than through personal exploration alone.
Additionally, I found it somewhat disappointing that the overall perspective of the book leans heavily on a Western interpretation of Eastern traditions. This angle may limit the richness of the original teachings and practices.
Overall, if you're a beginner stepping into the spiritual world, this book will certainly be helpful, providing a solid foundation to build upon. For those more familiar with the topic, however, I recommend viewing it primarily as a review or refresher rather than a comprehensive guide.
I would like to thank Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
Ratings: 2.5 stars, rounded it up to 3
However, for readers like me who have delved into countless spiritual texts, this work may come across as somewhat simplistic. The ideas presented, while well-intentioned, often lack the depth and nuance that more experienced seekers might expect.
It's commendable that the authors undertook a personal spiritual quest as part of their research for this book. Their genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter is evident, yet it sometimes feels as if they could have achieved similar insights through a more thorough library search rather than through personal exploration alone.
Additionally, I found it somewhat disappointing that the overall perspective of the book leans heavily on a Western interpretation of Eastern traditions. This angle may limit the richness of the original teachings and practices.
Overall, if you're a beginner stepping into the spiritual world, this book will certainly be helpful, providing a solid foundation to build upon. For those more familiar with the topic, however, I recommend viewing it primarily as a review or refresher rather than a comprehensive guide.
I would like to thank Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
Ratings: 2.5 stars, rounded it up to 3
February 11, 2025
I found this book to be an intriguing introduction to Indian spirituality, though primarily geared toward western readers. The author skillfully weaves connections between Indian and Japanese traditions, showcasing how spiritual wisdom transcends geographical boundaries. I found myself drawn to the practical aspects of the book, especially its detailed exploration of everyday elements like cuisine and customs, and their deeper spiritual significance. The step-by-step guidance toward spiritual unburdening, illustrated through the concept of living like ascetics, offers valuable insights for modern practitioners.
While the book is good at explaining the four Purusharthas and their application in everyday life, its approach seems primarily oriented toward Western audiences or those newly discovering Indian spirituality. The examples, though authentic and rooted in tradition, sometimes only scratch the surface of deeper concepts. However, this accessibility makes it an excellent starting point for spiritual seekers beginning their journey into spiritual wisdom. I appreciate how the author balances theoretical knowledge with practical implementation, though seasoned practitioners might yearn for more profound insights.
While the book is good at explaining the four Purusharthas and their application in everyday life, its approach seems primarily oriented toward Western audiences or those newly discovering Indian spirituality. The examples, though authentic and rooted in tradition, sometimes only scratch the surface of deeper concepts. However, this accessibility makes it an excellent starting point for spiritual seekers beginning their journey into spiritual wisdom. I appreciate how the author balances theoretical knowledge with practical implementation, though seasoned practitioners might yearn for more profound insights.
November 4, 2022
Oggi sono qui per parlarvi di un'altra bellissima opera arrivata nelle nostre librerie.
Ognuno di noi ha bisogno di staccare dallo stress quotidiano, dedicandosi a qualche pratica rilassante, guardando le cose da un altro punto di vista, magari e trovare, anche, il giusto punto di incontro tra noi e ciò che ci circonda.
Il karma spesso viene definito per qualcosa che torna indietro tre volte tanto, e spesso anche in modo negativo, ma il karma è molto di più che un semplice atto di dai e ricevi.
In questo volume ci viene spiegato per bene il concetto del Karma e, inoltre, ci viene suggerito il metodo più efficace per rilassarci come lo Yoga e la meditazione.
Al tempo stesso però, facciamo un salto nella storia spirituale dell'oriente.
Un'opera davvero interessante che consiglio a chi cerca principalmente qualcosa di diverso dal solito.
Ognuno di noi ha bisogno di staccare dallo stress quotidiano, dedicandosi a qualche pratica rilassante, guardando le cose da un altro punto di vista, magari e trovare, anche, il giusto punto di incontro tra noi e ciò che ci circonda.
Il karma spesso viene definito per qualcosa che torna indietro tre volte tanto, e spesso anche in modo negativo, ma il karma è molto di più che un semplice atto di dai e ricevi.
In questo volume ci viene spiegato per bene il concetto del Karma e, inoltre, ci viene suggerito il metodo più efficace per rilassarci come lo Yoga e la meditazione.
Al tempo stesso però, facciamo un salto nella storia spirituale dell'oriente.
Un'opera davvero interessante che consiglio a chi cerca principalmente qualcosa di diverso dal solito.
December 2, 2024
The Four Purushartha by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles, the authors of the international best-seller Ikigai, is a guide to purushartha, "the four ultimate goals of human life" according to Hindu philosophy.
The book talks about " practices from India's numerous spiritual traditions" to explain the four parts of purushartha : DHARMA, KAMA, ARTHA and MOKSHA.
While dharma refers to "what the world needs from you", kama refers to "what you love doing", artha refers to "what you need to sustain your life", and moksha refers to "your truest, most actualized self."
Overall, it's an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about purushartha and finding their purpose in life.
The book talks about " practices from India's numerous spiritual traditions" to explain the four parts of purushartha : DHARMA, KAMA, ARTHA and MOKSHA.
While dharma refers to "what the world needs from you", kama refers to "what you love doing", artha refers to "what you need to sustain your life", and moksha refers to "your truest, most actualized self."
Overall, it's an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about purushartha and finding their purpose in life.
January 11, 2025
This is my Goodreads review of the author's previous work, "Ikigai,":
The core in this book “Ikigai”, the concept of “Flow” has been directly lifted from the book “Flow - The Psychology Of Happiness” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. The rest is just fancy packaging and marketing of generic and age old wisdom like get enough sleep, eat less, exercise more, make friends, do yoga, smile more, etc.
About this book “Purushartha”:
While I applaud the authors' research and good intentions, this book is more akin to a "Table Of Contents" on Indian philosophy and culture. The book gives a broad summary of Indian spirituality and becomes less focused on the title and main topic of "Purushartha."
Readers looking for a comprehensive introduction to Indian traditions might find this book useful.
The core in this book “Ikigai”, the concept of “Flow” has been directly lifted from the book “Flow - The Psychology Of Happiness” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. The rest is just fancy packaging and marketing of generic and age old wisdom like get enough sleep, eat less, exercise more, make friends, do yoga, smile more, etc.
About this book “Purushartha”:
While I applaud the authors' research and good intentions, this book is more akin to a "Table Of Contents" on Indian philosophy and culture. The book gives a broad summary of Indian spirituality and becomes less focused on the title and main topic of "Purushartha."
Readers looking for a comprehensive introduction to Indian traditions might find this book useful.
May 26, 2023
I would like to believe that I felt like the structure was scatted because I listened to an audiobook, but it might be that this just was scattered. The book felt partly as an advertisement for Igikai, as if Japan and India would be walking hand in hand. I guess if you want to underline that you can learn to respect any culture, and find similarities between any countries if you really want, then fine.
I was hoping to understand the Indian colleagues better after this book, but unfortunately I don't. It was still the same India as I've seen through the Western eyes before. Perhaps eye-opener for some, but not my cup of tea.
I was hoping to understand the Indian colleagues better after this book, but unfortunately I don't. It was still the same India as I've seen through the Western eyes before. Perhaps eye-opener for some, but not my cup of tea.
January 28, 2024
De Nederlandse versie heb ik deels gelezen en deels als audioboek geluisterd. Dat laatste was zeker geen aanrader, zowel door de structuur in het boek als door wat eigenaardigheden van de voorlezer die me zachtst gezegd weinig zen maakten (maar daar heeft het duo Garcia & Miralles waarschijnlijk weer een apart boek over).
Al met al: erg in de breedte, weinig in de diepte. Fragmentarisch als verboekte blogs. Veel opsommingen en to-do lijstjes in de vorm van: stap 1 vind het doel in je leven, stap 2 zie anderen als goddelijk, stap 3... De kaft was het hoogtepunt, verder vooral fake diepzinnigheid.
Al met al: erg in de breedte, weinig in de diepte. Fragmentarisch als verboekte blogs. Veel opsommingen en to-do lijstjes in de vorm van: stap 1 vind het doel in je leven, stap 2 zie anderen als goddelijk, stap 3... De kaft was het hoogtepunt, verder vooral fake diepzinnigheid.
November 8, 2024
While The Four-Way Path promises a guide to purushartha—the four aims of life—it spends little time on these core principles. Instead, the author introduces a broad range of topics from Indian spiritual traditions without clear focus or guidance on practicing purushartha. The book serves more as a general overview of Indian spirituality than as a structured, practical guide.
For readers seeking an introduction to Indian traditions, this book may offer some value. However, those wanting specific insights on purushartha and its application in life may want to look elsewhere.
February 18, 2025
This book was really enjoyable to read! I was always intrigued in Hinduism and all the different aspects of this religion ( from the spiritual to the cultural). This book dives into daily actions ( for some might be obvious): for example the different types of meditation, different types of breathing depending on your current state, different ways of detachment, different tantras and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism.
One of the quotes that I liked’ 80% of our thoughts are about the past and the future, the aim is to think of the now’’
One of the quotes that I liked’ 80% of our thoughts are about the past and the future, the aim is to think of the now’’
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
2* = there was nothing 'wrong' with the book but it simply wasn't for me.
I thought the philosophy presented was interesting, but maybe don't recommend this as an audio book. Overall I think we could all live a little more simply and take stock of how we are spending this precious life. This book explored those themes and did so in relatively short order. I think my main qualm was that the text was so brief, it was hard to add nuance to the themes and I remember feeling frustrated when I finished it.
I thought the philosophy presented was interesting, but maybe don't recommend this as an audio book. Overall I think we could all live a little more simply and take stock of how we are spending this precious life. This book explored those themes and did so in relatively short order. I think my main qualm was that the text was so brief, it was hard to add nuance to the themes and I remember feeling frustrated when I finished it.
September 20, 2024
Coming from the authors of Ikigai, this book is a huge disappointment. There are mistakes in some simple, well know facts and the narrative is disjointed. Lots of information is put together with no definite theme or purpose. It shows that the authors lack sufficient knowledge or practical experience in this particular subject. On the whole it’s a hastily done piece, both by the authors and the publisher.
January 5, 2025
I always like to start the new year with some spiritual reading and I was excited to read this new book by the authors of ikigai which I enjoyed last year. I always had a soft spot for Indian culture and loved getting to learn about their deeper spiritual ways in this book. It explains the history as well as the psychological aspects and shows you different practices that have also been described with pictures which I found very helpful.
January 27, 2025
super tolles buch mit sehr interessanten und bereichernden inhalten. es gibt einen guten überblick und einblick in indische lebensphilosophie, dessen grundlagen, weisheiten und traditionen, aus denen wir alle etwas lernen können. mir persönlich hat die struktur, genauso wie die kombination aus historie und anwendung super gut gefallen. ich würde das buch definitiv weiterempfehlen und bin mir sicher, dass ich vieles davon in meinem persönlichen leben anwenden werde
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