Philosophy – Lit Loom

The Obstacle is the Way – My First Read on Stoicism

28th Mar 2025 RajashreeLeave a comment

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday is my first introduction to Stoicism. Though this book isn’t often labeled as a typical Stoic read, I found it to be a great starting point. I had previously attempted to read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius but felt overwhelmed—it was difficult to grasp the concepts fully. So, I decided to begin with an easier read, something similar to a self-help book. And this book turned out to be exactly what I was looking for.

Initially, I considered sharing just the quotes from the book. No matter how I wrote about it, I felt I might take away the crispness or the essence of its ideas. But I also wanted to comprehend it better by putting my thoughts into words.

This post isn’t a review. Instead, it’s my way of organizing my reflections on the book and analyzing where I stand.

The book is divided into three sections—Perception, Action, and Will. Ryan Holiday has summarized it wonderfully on his YouTube channel (after all, who can summarize a book better than the author himself?).

Philosophy is best incorporated through practice. To manifest it in action, it must first take root in our thoughts. I believe that cultivating a Stoic mindset is essential to truly practicing Stoicism. So, here’s my humble interpretation of the book in a few words.

Perception

The title itself hints at its core idea—seeing an obstacle as an opportunity is the perspective shift that makes all the difference. The world is often unfair, but dwelling on that fact doesn’t help much. Everyone faces their own set of obstacles, and what truly matters is how we perceive them.

It’s crucial to distinguish between what’s within our control and what isn’t. In both cases, managing our emotions is equally important. It’s not about suppressing emotions but about taming them. Viewing situations objectively, as they are, helps navigate setbacks effectively.

I tend to sympathize with myself a lot. But Stoicism preaches clarity. Sympathy might provide temporary comfort, but clarity guides us toward emotional control and a better perspective. A clear, rational mindset—free from impulsive reactions—helps us shift our attitude toward problems and uncover opportunities within them.

Action

This section is my favorite—probably because it’s the one I need to practice the most. I’ve been an overthinker for most of my life. I’ve even read books to help me stop overthinking because it was ruining my peace of mind. But deep down, I always knew that the most effective solution would be action.

Action kills overthinking. When you do something, you get results—either it works, or it doesn’t. And that alone eliminates unnecessary thoughts. (Of course, not every thought needs to be acted upon.)

The chapters in this section felt like a wake-up call. The first one states that no aid will be received; it’s our deliberation, boldness, and persistence that truly matter.

It’s a cliché: To reach your goals, stop complaining and face your problems head-on. But practicing it is far harder. I often find myself complaining about setbacks. On some days, I can see them positively—if not for these challenges, I wouldn’t have learned certain things. But not every day feels like that.

I tell myself it’s okay to fail, but I wonder if I’ve ever truly given myself permission to fail. Failure seems daunting to me, yet Ryan explains that failure is the price we pay for learning—the discomfort and disappointment we experience are simply tuition fees for our lessons. That’s an interesting perspective. Let’s see if I can absorb it!

Since we’ve established that there’s no way forward except through obstacles, the next question is how to approach them. The answer? Break them down into doable steps, start working on them, and stop aiming for perfection. That includes tackling the tasks that feel uncomfortable.

Sometimes, in our desperation to achieve something, we dig ourselves into a deeper rut, making it harder to get out. I resonate with this. I also wonder if this is where detachment comes in.

Some things take time—like marinating chicken before cooking. Rushing through a process and expecting immediate results might ruin the whole dish. Maybe I need to practice patience and detachment. I sometimes wonder if this is a generational issue. With technology, everything is available at our fingertips within seconds—no more going to libraries and flipping through books to find an answer. Has this erased the art of patience? Hmm. Food for thought!

Just do it. And if it goes wrong, embrace that too.

Will

I’ve always thought of myself as a resilient person. But recent events in my life have made me question that belief. This section offers a deeper understanding of true resilience.

The adversities faced by Abraham Lincoln and his ability to say, This too shall pass, despite hardships, summarize this section well.

Perseverance is the action plan for willpower. It’s about sticking to something—not just until it’s possible, but until it’s right.

Most of the time, things don’t go our way, no matter how perfectly we execute our plans. There will always be external disruptions, and navigating through them requires willpower.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a perspective shift or simply need motivation to view life differently, I’d recommend this book. It’s a great read for those seeking clarity in how they approach obstacles.

Let me know if you’d like me to continue reading more about Stoicism. Feel free to drop your suggestions as well!

Navigating Grief: A Candid Review of ‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ by Joan Didion

8th Jan 20248th Jan 2024 RajashreeLeave a comment

Do you remember that I had the goal of reading at least one of Joan Didion’s book in 2023, when the year began?

So here we go, let me embark on a heartfelt exploration of grief with Joan Didion’s ‘The Year of Magical Thinking.’ The book contained everything that a book on grief will venture upon, say the emotional depth, moments of reflection, but needless to say the narrative’s repetitive nature for emphasis, made me lose attention as well.

Compelling Introspection in Early Chapters

Didion’s eloquence invites readers to introspect on their own experiences of loss. The narrative skillfully captures the universal nature of grief, resonating with those who have navigated similar emotional landscapes.

In the opening chapters, Didion’s poignant prose captivates, into an introspective exploration of grief. Her raw and unfiltered reflections create a profound connection, making it a compelling read for anyone grappling with loss.

I was able to completely relate to her grief, it brought back my own memories, which I often wish, they were parts of a nightmare. The surrealness she describes, when she realizes her husband has passed away, not in the first night but in the upcoming nights, when she will be all alone, grappling the grief single-handedly is what the true form of grief seems like. One can not escape feeling sorry and heartbroken if they haven’t experienced such a personal loss.

Navigating the Labyrinth of Repetition

While the initial allure remains, the narrative encounters hurdles with repetitive content. The revisiting of certain themes may lead to occasional bouts of boredom, as the storytelling seemingly retraces familiar emotional territories.

Yet, as the narrative progresses, the recurrence of certain themes becomes apparent, posing a challenge to sustained engagement. The book revisits emotional landscapes, occasionally leading to a sense of monotony tested my patience.

An Unflinching Portrayal of Despair

As the story unfolds, a prevailing sense of hopelessness begins to overpower. Didion’s unflinching portrayal of grief can be emotionally taxing, making it a challenging read for those seeking a more uplifting perspective.

I read this book when I was reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin parallelly. In fact, the idea of reading this book was inspired by her book, which dedicates a chapter for gratitude and introspection. She explains how the grief memoirs made her feel the intensity of luck bestowed upon her. More on this book later…!

Hence, when I was reading with this mindset, the journey through ‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ became increasingly challenging as a pervasive sense of hopelessness permeates the narrative. The emotional weight may be overwhelming for readers seeking a more balanced exploration of grief and healing.

‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ by Joan Didion offers a profound exploration of grief, prompting introspection and connection. However, the repetitive nature and the overarching sense of hopelessness may pose challenges for some readers, leading to moments of disengagement.

Rating: 3/5

Image credits: amazon

Monstrously Brilliant: Exploring the Depths of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

7th Jan 2024 RajashreeLeave a comment

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a timeless masterpiece, captivates readers with its haunting narrative and profound exploration of human nature. In this review, let’s delve into the intricacies of Shelley’s magnum opus, examining its thematic richness, compelling characters, and enduring relevance.

Unraveling the Narrative Tapestry

Shelley weaves a tapestry of suspense and horror, skillfully blending Gothic elements with philosophical depth. The story follows Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who defies the laws of nature by creating a sentient being. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, adding layers of complexity that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

In the dark recesses of Shelley’s prose, the reader is enveloped in an atmosphere of chilling suspense. From Victor’s feverish pursuit of knowledge to the creature’s poignant self-discovery, every twist in the narrative is a masterstroke of literary prowess.

Characters that Transcend Time

Frankenstein introduces characters that resonate across centuries. The novel doesn’t seem like a work of 1818. Victor Frankenstein’s tragic ambition and the creature’s existential quest for identity offer a profound commentary on the human condition. The depth of characterization elevates the novel beyond a mere horror story, making it a timeless exploration of morality and empathy. It can be rightly termed as gothic fiction.

Shelley’s characters are not mere specters in a Gothic tale; they are vessels of universal truths. Victor’s ambition mirrors our relentless pursuit of progress, while the creature’s isolation reflects the consequences of societal rejection. The yearning of the monster to have at least one life beside him to truly understand his nature and who he has become, resonates the human mind that longs for sense of belonging to a community, often bound by love.

Shelley tackles ethical dilemmas, the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition, and the societal rejection of the ‘other.’ The novel’s relevance persists, echoing warnings about the ethical implications of modern scientific advancements.

The book was written in a period when curiosity of mankind was proving to bear fruits. Industrial Revolution was transforming all walks of life. As society grapples with ethical questions surrounding technology and artificial intelligence, Frankenstein’s cautionary tale gains renewed significance. Shelley’s exploration of scientific responsibility remains a pertinent guidepost in the face of our own technological advancements.

In conclusion, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein stands as a literary colossus, weaving a narrative that transcends time and speaks to the deepest recesses of the human psyche. Its enduring themes, unforgettable characters, and philosophical depth ensure its place as a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers across generations. Dive into the world of Frankenstein, where horror meets profound introspection, and discover a timeless tale that remains as relevant today as it was in the 19th century.

Rating: 3.5

Twists of Imagination: Reflecting on ‘Kafka on the Shore’ and ‘Bunny’

4th Oct 2023 RajashreeLeave a comment

I read Kafka on the shore a while back and Bunny recently. Both the books are totally different in genre and the world they delve into, but the one commonality I could find was, both of them left me confused at the end. To make it very clear, I am not comparing these two books, but just reflecting on how I felt after both the reads and trying to analyze how they might impact the readers.

A quick intro to both the books

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami is a contemporary fiction/fantasy set in Japan. It involves around two characters Kafka Tamura, a 15 year-old boy and Nakata, an elderly man who can speak to cats but has lost his memory after an incident in his childhood. The book begins with narrating both their stories alternately. It proceeds to unfold its magical realism when both of these characters meet.

Bunny by Mona Awad is a dark academia and satirical fiction book set in American college campus. Samantha, who is a young fiction writer, mostly writes on dark themes, gets admitted to a prestigious MFA program. But things get difficult and weird as other members of the cohort are privileged and Samantha has quite strong and mixed feelings on the four women whom she finds, calling each other Bunny.

Enigmatic style and other similarities

Both of the books were good in blurring the boundaries of reality and imagination. By introducing elements of magical realism, it often results in ambiguity and frankly difficulty in categorizing them as truth and dream.

Kafka runs away from his home, displaying a coming of age scenario. But Murakami underplayed that style of narration to let the character to have his freedom to be adult and explore his self. When his actions quite often relate that of an young adult, rather than a teenage boy. On the other hand, Samantha is doing her masters, so we can assume that she is in her twenties. But most of the reactions that Samantha displays often becomes close to how a typical teenager behaves, hence I had quite a time to scoff at the book, but this is for a later time. Moving on…

Both the protagonists isolate, alienate themselves to an extent from their peers. When Kafka goes to the library, the conversations he has with the librarian and Saeki, clearly conveys that he is mature for his age and he is perfectly capable of holding interesting conversations with adults and also bring insights to the table. He also refuses explicit help and tries to take care of his own self. Similar scenario goes on with Samantha, she tries to persuade her instructor to pursue her semester individually and not with the group that she was assigned to. Samantha takes care of herself and she gets threatened by the four other privileged women of her cohort and develops a sense of hatred to overcome her jealousy and how threatened she feels by them.

A wonderful self-exploration by the characters in both the novels makes the reading even more intriguing. When elements apart from reality enters the plot, it takes its place very comfortably, in other words, I could let them ease me into the transition and it is not off-putting. Since the boundaries are very ambiguous, surrealism finds its sweet spot.

They are different

Though there are some commonalities, both are completely two different books with their own wonderful plots, narrations and genre.

Starting with Kafka on the shore, the character Nakata was completely different from any other character I have come across. After the incident, Nakata navigating his life with little memory he has and the ability to talk to cats is perplexing but that is exactly the randomness that is required to be curious on what is supposed to happen now. I am not going to say I completely understood the book. Yes, it left me quite confused, I sought out internet and read thoughts of so many other people on the book. It really made understanding pleasurable. All aside, Murakami with his minimalistic writing style and simple words, still kindled questions on reality. It was intended for the readers to form their own sense of the book.

Bunny, was the What did I just read now book. It never stops to create a jolt. Just when I thought, ohhh ok now I get it, it slaps the next second with another what now. The writing was vague in some places and it becomes hard to relate to the characters after a point. When you want to get hooked on to a book, Bunny will be the perfect read.

Happy reading and let me know your thoughts when you read or have read the book(s).

Other Images credit: Goodreads, Amazon

Animal Farm

29th May 2023 RajashreeLeave a comment

By George Orwell

When someone says the life you live is basically an exploitation carried by people who feed and shelter you, all that comes to mind is perplexity. But, when Old Major, the Manor Farm’s old boar says it with utmost belief, it is as if the animals in the farm have been deceived all along and it only took for the words of the boar to realize that they are obliged to change it otherwise.

If the point made by Old Major makes true sense, is beyond the book. As George Orwell tried to depict the Russian history with his story, the question of political philosophy lingers all along the book.

After Old Major dies, the other pigs in the farm headed by Snowball, lead the revolution. They wage a war against Mr. Jones and drive him off his farm. Later the pigs, educate the animals in the farm to read and write. But not everyone excel at the skill. They add 7 important rules that animal Farm should abide by.

It is not all roses after it. Mr. Jones returns to claim his farm, but the animals do their best to win the Battle of Cowshed. The plight of the farm later is the core of the Animal Farm.

If the pigs truly are devoted to the upbringing of the animals and hence the farm, or were they far better with Mr. Jones heading the farm.

George, in his attempt to depict Russian Revolution of 1917, tries to portray that there is a huge dismay among the ruled. Does the belief once placed on the leaders stand true, or should it be re-evaluated? How much power does the words in the rules and laws hold; and the stand you can take in your life when the world around you is in chaos!

My thoughts (contains spoilers)

Personally, my thoughts wavered around things like; if at all the animals could read and write just like the pigs, if at all they had the audacity to question them, if at all they had known their role in the farm and how the farm and the pigs could have no meaning if they refused to act as they were demanded to. There were many disturbing thoughts such as, how Boxer’s labor was exploited and how tragic it was, that he could never taste the fruits of his labor.

The power of the image and repeating something strongly and repeatedly, just enough for the new verses to be registered such that you won’t realize you have forgotten the old verses is alarming. The importance of the past and history and the need for it to be carried forward to the future generation and how essential it is for everyone to question things when their hearts says so and not oblige, just because you believe someone. The responsibility of power is so huge, that it could change ages just by the handling of few things, without being realized by the masses.

I really enjoyed the book. Though this book was published in 1945, it is truly a classic. A very short read that renders you with many thoughts and wonders – Animal Farm is worth your time.

Rating: 4.5/5

Category: Philosophy