Positive thinking for righteous living

Dehemi Diviyakata
Dhanathmaka Desum
Author: Menike Sumanasekara
Sumanasekara Publishers, Nugegoda

Reviewed by R. S. Karunaratne

Menike Sumanasekara has earned the reputation as a popular counsellor and a positive thinker. She has been delivering lectures at temples, schools and other public places regularly. Dehemi Diviyakata Dhanathmaka Desum contains some of the lectures she delivered at such places.

Most of her lectures are based on Buddhism, a religion that espouses the cause of rationalism. The author draws the reader's attention to the Buddha's advice to his followers who came from a different strata of society. Some of them belonged to royalty and the rich classes.

On the other hand. there were less privileged people. But the Buddha's doctrine appealed to all classes of society. Menike Sumanasekara gives examples from Buddhist scriptures to drive home her point of view.

The author laments that most so-called Buddhists have not understood the essence of Buddhism. What happens today is that some Buddhists pay more attention to the worship of idols rather than trying to lead righteous lives according to Buddhism.

Psychologist

The Buddha was the greatest psychologist to assert that everything revolves around the mind. The Dhammapada has compared the mind to a restless horse. If you are unable to control the mind, you will get into innumerable problems in life. The author has pinpointed this fact in most of her lectures.

The chapter on positive thinking will inspire anybody who reads it. In simple words, positive thinking means that you should have faith in yourself, not in unseen powers.

The mind is a powerful instrument that can be used to produce marvels in life. A positive thinker uses his mind to solve his problems in life and helps others to achieve success in their domains. Menike Sumanasekara's simple and direct style will help any reader to understand the importance of positive thinking.

Personal development

The author's views on personal development and how to shoulder responsibilities at home and the workplace deserve the reader's attention. Some of us give up our efforts to advance in life if we are confronted with obstacles.

One who entertains positive thinking will treat such obstacles as a stepping stone to success. For instance, if you fail to become a lawyer, you may have the potential to be an eminent writer or a scientist. For this to happen, we have to understand our own capabilities.

Apart from promoting positive thinking among the people, the author shows how to achieve happiness from the work you do. Her views are firmly based on modern psychology and Buddhism. Therefore, Dehemi Diviyakata Dhanathmaka Desum will be a welcome addition to anybody's library.