This novel is an unusual life story about a Kashmiri woman named Lalla. Supernatural at times and ordinary otherwise, this fictional tale also borrows experiences from the author's own life. Born into a Kashmiri family, Lalla is named after the famous Kashmiri mystic, Lal Ded also known as Lalleshwari. She has a twin brother, Abhi, named in honor of the legendary Kashmiri Shaivism master, Abhinavagupta. These two souls choose their divergent life paths as an exposition of duality, of light and darkness, positive and negative, evolutionary and destructive. Lalla discovers her life’s purpose to integrate the spiritual into the worldly, by experiencing, understanding and overcoming human problems in order to help others with their issues. Some extraordinary spiritual experiences are woven into the fabric of a pragmatic life, often unbeknownst to Lalla's family and friends.
(Chapter 1) The story starts with her soul in a heavenly dimension where souls reside, and describes the experiences of souls in between lives.
(Chapter 2) Lalla and her twin are then born in Srinagar, Kashmir, where enjoy the bliss of early childhood. The narration describes the subtle realm that overlays the physical world, while moving through a very relatable storyline.
(Chapter 3) When Lalla is still a child the family move to the capital New Delhi where her father works as a surgeon. Lalla is different from other children, and has transformational spiritual experiences even as a young teenager. Her twin brother is a stark contrast from her in how notorious he is. College is a cultural shift for a naive Lalla who adjusts and then thrives with college friendships.
(Chapter 4) In between college and starting a career, Lalla enjoys a summer in Rishikesh (in the Himalayas) while attending a course on Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
(Chapter 5) As she moves through a more traditional path, after she starts working, she is introduced to a Kashmiri boy who lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area as a neurosurgeon. Their courtship defines an ideal supportive relationship, and later they are married in a traditional Kashmiri wedding.
(Chapter 6) Her twin brother goes through a breakup while she enters a model married life in the Bay Area. Even though her husband Sid, is not spiritual like her, they share a bond of love and respect for each other. While everyone else is engaged in a worldly life, Lalla continues to have spiritual experiences privately.
(Chapter 7) Readers will be able to relate some events in the story which are from the past and present, like the Kashmiri Pandits’ exodus, which becomes a life changing experience for her. Seeing the injustice and suffering of the Pandits, thrusts her back into her spiritual nature.
(Chapter 8) Lalla chances upon a famous channel medium while watching a TV program on past lives. She immediately signs up for a session with this channeler which opens the doors into the amazing world of new age spirituality. This opening also triggered a transformation within her which is the beginning of many changes to come.
(Chapter 9) Even though her life is becoming more spiritual, she fully integrates her spiritual awakening into practical life, which she feels is her life purpose. Her husband Sid always being an understanding and supportive partner. Going deeper into the mystical she not only takes a past life regression (PLR) session, she becomes a PLR therapist. In the meantime, her twin brother finally gets married to a very nice Kashmiri girl.
(Chapter 10) Lalla’s seeking for a Guru is fulfilled when she finds a spiritual master Sri M. She and Sid attend a workshop where they are initiated into Kriya Yoga. She experiences many things on the astral realm related with Sri M, who is a great master like Yogananda. (Chapter 11) Shortly after a revelational experience during a spiritual session on ‘Life Between Lives’, COVID hits the world. Unfortunately, Sid catches COVID, becomes critical and has a rather unusual recovery. Lalla consults a clairvoyant/psychic and discovers that there was “walk-in” and there is a different soul in Sid’s body.
(Chapter 12) Shocking at first, she later adjusts to this pre-destined event. The new Sid is a more evolved soul who also becomes a guide for Lalla. After COVID Lalla starts to counsel and heal many people in her network of friends. All along there is an interlacing of the spiritual with the worldly.
(Chapter 13) Many amazing, mystical phenomena are described, especially as the tale pivots into what we can consider the future. There are social issues discussed and spiritual knowledge infused into the narration. Lalla now evolves into a channel as more and more of higher consciousness flows through her, while the world enters a transition phase of major wars and natural disasters.
(Chapter 14) The narration about what’s yet to come includes major changes in financial systems, and severe effects to the economy and life in cities from conflicts and catastrophes. With many communities sprouting around the world, Sid and Lalla decide to move to a conscious community in Colorado. While the spiritual community blossoms with spiritual abilities, there is a split in humanity between the spiritual and material, and the material world starts degenerating. This contrast is exhibited in the lives of Lalla and her twin Abhi.
(Chapter 15) There are three waves of solar flares which carry magical downloads from a higher consciousness that descends on those purified to receive. The shift of the planet and humanity into a new age describe a new race of light beings, and Lalla fulfills her purpose of coming to the planet at this time. Some aspects of the conclusion resonate with messages conveyed by aspirants of the new age spirituality.
The story is truly a dance of duality, of the evolution of souls through the human experience, and how duality fits into the bigger picture of non-duality. Those who master both, win the game.
