*Book*: Ask the Monk: ( Answers to Life’s Most Intriguing Questions.

*Author* – Nithyanand Charan Das

*Publisher* – Penguin Random House India

The author, a monk, answers questions on various topics related to spirituality, such as God, reincarnation, karma, destiny, prayers, joy and suffering, rituals, etc. 

He states that accepting anything blindly is certainly bad. But at the same time, to reject anything blindly is worse. There are still things outside the realm of our logic, and it is difficult for us to really fit everything into our understanding.

On Science vs. Faith, he points out that the Scriptures have stood the test of time and have revealed many truths before science could actually get hold of them. Moreover, science proves or disproves a theory only after proper experimentation, and the same approach should be applied to faith before rejecting anything outright. 

Further, he states: “Stress, fear, and anxiety are conditions of an uncontrolled mind.” And to control our minds, spiritual practices help. 

On religion, he says it is meant only to unite and never divide, but the problem is that people use religion not to improve themselves but to prove themselves.

This book encourages us to ask more questions and thereby improve our understanding by seeking answers; it gives clarity on certain topics of spirituality; and it will help us on our journey of self discovery.