Waiting to Breathe

A Journey Toward Authentic Living

De: Vikas Agarwal

Narrado por: Jordan

Waiting to Breathe chronicles the journey of Arian Nazrani, a survivor of an Iraqi chemical attack and a successful tech executive, as he grapples with a moral dilemma within his company. Faced with the unjust firing of employees to boost the stock price and reward executives, Arian struggles to balance between his personal values and demands of his position. This conflict coincides with a personal tragedy, propelling Arian into a profound journey of self-discovery.

As Arian stares into the Jungian abyss, he is guided by his uncle who himself is seeking redemption from his past actions by trying to save his teenage sweetheart from fundamentalist militants in Syria. Arian's quest takes him from American corporate boardrooms to Mecca and Iraqi Kurdistan, in search of his true identity. The transformative experience strips away the veil of illusion, leading Arian towards recovery and renewed purpose.

Waiting to Breathe is not just a story; it's a reflection of the contemporary corporate landscape and the human search for meaning in life's ever-changing currents. It resonates with listeners seeking authenticity, purpose, and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

©2024 Advaita LLC (P)2024 Advaita LLC

A captivating tale embracing Bhagavad Gita essence

Wow! This book completely captivated me from the very first chapter until the very end. I found it incredibly engaging and couldn't stop listening once I started. What I loved most about it is how seamlessly it integrates the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita into a compelling narrative.

The author skillfully weaves together the teachings of focusing on our actions rather than the results with an enthralling story that keeps you hooked throughout. It's not just a book; it's an immersive journey that challenges your perspective on life and empowers you to embrace the power of mindful action.

Whether you're familiar with the Bhagavad Gita or completely new to its concepts, this book offers a refreshing take on its philosophy that is both accessible and thought-provoking. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking inspiration, wisdom, and a truly captivating experience. Dive in and let the transformative journey begin!

Beautiful story, with a deep lesson

I listened to this book on my run. The story is captivating and written in a way that I could picture the character and the scenes throughout. I could relate to many aspects in the book on chasing my career and slowing down to do things that give life meaning. I recommend this as a read for anyone who is looking for an easy read that also inspires and is thought provoking. The book has a great message to us all as humans and to us as leaders.

Wow!

Wow! I listened to the book on my long walk in the nature and the experience is indescribable. ‘Everything in nature has a lesson to teach us but the noise of our ego is too loud for us to listen to it’. ‘The way you live this moment is how you will live the rest of your life’. I was curious, smiling and crying at various parts of the book. Book felt alive to me. Like your elder brother or sister comforting you, calming your monkey brain and telling you, you are safe. There are leadership lessons in the book, there is philosophy and most of all there is so much love and compassion. What a great service to all of us! Kudos!

Transports you to another world

The book transported me to Aryan and Rivka's world. They are so relatable that you feel there's a part of them inside of you. I could find the teachings from many philosophical and religious traditions in the book. They all teach the same thing. Love your fellow human beings. the book has a great message of hope and love for humanity. I hope more people read it. It is my sincere belief. If they did, the world will be a better place.

I highly recommend giving it a read!

When people come face to face with their own mortality, they often fall apart. It's not solely because of the fear of death, which is inevitable for everyone. Rather, it's more about looking back and feeling regret in the way they have lived and what they've prioritized with their limited time on Earth. This book explores this concept. It makes you ponder what truly matters in life.

The narrative, not only prompts existential reflection but also weaves through various societal themes. It adeptly explores war, and the immigrant experience, offering poignant insights into the struggles and triumphs inherent to such a journey. Additionally, it offers a vivid portrayal of the challenges of the corporate world, particularly in tech.

Personally, I found this multifaceted exploration to be both captivating and intellectually stimulating. It skillfully intertwines profound philosophical questions with the nuances of daily struggles. In this book, Vikas manages to strike a balance between the universal and the specific, making it both relatable and enlightening.

Wow, read this book to elevate your consciousness

This book hit me like a ton of bricks. The author performs a highest form of service to his readers - elevate their consciousness with his well studied philosophical meditations while engaging them in an accessible story, relatable characters, and an engaging plot.

1) Characters are excellent. They have stayed with me. They are so well developed and sophisticatedly nuanced that I almost feel I know these people. This level of intimacy with characters I've only felt when I have read classics from masters such as Dostoevsky or Hesse.

2) Plot and storytelling is compelling. Anyone who has worked in a corporate environment would find it easy to relate with the plot. The book is actually paced really well - great job editing. The storytelling is relatable but also fresh at the same time because it isn't the tired or familiar settings. It felt fresh and original because the plot revolves around Iraqi/Kurdish characters that are also immigrant refugees.

3) Philosophy without the preaching. The philosophy is distillation of several schools of thought from eastern to islamic philosophies. You get acquainted with these ideas from the lens of the characters but is never overbearing or tries to convince the reader of any specific point of view. It's just there as part of the character building and those - like me - who want to engage with it find us looking up and researching the breadcrumbs left throughout the book.

All of the above comes together so harmoniously and one has to think that the author has reached a certain mastery of his craft. I would love for Vikas to write more books and will be the first one in the line pre-ordering his future works.

I will read this book again and have already passed on copies to my loved ones.