In the late 70′s young Aussie Gregory David Roberts committed a series of robberies armed with a toy pistol while deeply addicted to heroin, was arrested, then tried and sentenced to a lengthy stay in prison, escaped from prison, and then made his way to Mumbai with nothing but a dream of freedom and a top-notch first aid kit. His quiet willingness to adjust to his new life made him popular with the locals, and the first-aid kit made him into the slums de facto doctor-on-call. And that’s where things start to get really interesting…
Shantaram is one of my favorite books, and is emotionally and spiritually on a very high level.
Dig this quote:
“It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured. I realized, somehow, through the screaming in my mind, that even in that shackled, bloody helplessness, I was still free: free to hate the men who were torturing me, or to forgive them.
It doesn’t sound like much, I know. But in the flinch and bite of the chain, when it’s all you have got, that freedom is a universe of possibility. And the choice you make, between hating and forgiving, can become the story of your life.”
That needs repeating: “But in the flinch and bite of the chain, when it’s all you’ve got, that freedom is a universe of possibility…” Yowza. Shantaram is the amazing true story of one man’s search for redemption, peace, and forgiveness.
Here, listen to the man himself explain…
If you’re in the mood for an incredible read, check out Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.
Love to All,
Jackson
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