Q: Tell us something about your new book
Dr.Mani: THE EMOTION PRISM is more than just a book, or a guide, or a course. It is all of these and more. Not many times does something change your life and the way you look at it. This book has the potential to do it.
It isn't something that I put together on the spur of the moment. The lessons and wisdom in this book were years in learning. They didn't come to me in a flash of inspiration or enlightenment. Over a decade of life experiences stand behind these invaluable concepts.
As a heart surgeon treating sick children, my intimate association with stressful personal circumstances, working closely with people and families struggling with the most extreme tensions and emotions, a constant struggle to come to terms with the rude shocks of fate, and a positive attitude towards enquiring, learning, testing out and confirming these lessons is what this book is about.
From this wealth of knowledge and experience were distilled the three concepts which I highlight through the book. Three concepts that could change you forever. Three simple ways of thinking that will help you harness your emotions. Three patterns of behaviour that will make you see things differently.
Q: What prompted you to write it at this moment in time?
Dr.Mani: John Harricharan. Perhaps you're familiar with his name. A widely acclaimed and reputed author, John has penned some classics including "THE POWER PAUSE" - http://www.EmotionPrism.com/powerpause/ - and "MORNING HAS BEEN ALL NIGHT COMING".
It was John who suggested that I write about my concepts and ideas to harness emotions to tackle difficult life situations, and write from the unique perspective of a doctor, a heart specialist.
Q: Are these concepts something new, something that you discovered or developed?
Dr.Mani: Absolutely not. These truths, concepts and philosophies are universal. They are eternal, have existed for ever so long. All I have done in my book is to collect these concepts together and illustrate each one using an example from a personal life situation.
Q: So then what makes your book particularly interesting?
Dr.Mani: What's new in this book, and unique too, is the fact that they are presented in a way that is enjoyable to read, simple to digest and easy to follow in your own life.
Q: I was intrigued by the title - THE EMOTION PRISM. How did you decide upon it?
Dr.Mani: The choice of title is representative of the book itself. A prism acts upon a light beam entering it. It breaks it down into its component parts. It bends it, changes its direction. It focuses it on a specific point.
In a similar way, the three concepts you'll read about in this book will help you act upon your own emotions. Instead of becoming a passive victim of your feelings when confronted with tough life situations, you will learn to become a prism for your emotions.
You'll see how you can break down every problem into smaller parts and tackle each effectively. You'll learn to bend your feelings to your will, separate them from the problem itself - and thus deal with both decisively. And finally like a prism you'll focus your emotions on achieving your ends, whatever they may be.
Q: The style of your writing is interesting too. Was it a deliberate choice to present these powerful lessons in the form of a story, as casual conversations?
Dr.Mani: Everyone loves to listen to a story. It makes the learning process more enjoyable, entertaining, fun. Much more so than a dry discourse or a "how-to" manual. Far from diluting the message, this style makes it simpler to follow and understand.
Q: And I notice you have used intensely personal experiences to illustrate some points. Was there a reason for this?
Dr.Mani: No author can feel strongly about something he or she hasn't experienced. I use examples from my own life that strongly affected the way I looked at things - my career choices, behavior and relationships, financial and business activities, everything. And I think this powerful emotion conveys itself to readers through the book, and adds impact to the message I'm trying to convey.
Q: You're a heart surgeon and come across critical situations in your everyday life. But not all people will face such dramatic or traumatic events regularly. Is this a limitation of your book?
Dr.Mani: Not really. While I use dramatic examples to highlight the points made, all the lessons, ideas and concepts discussed in THE EMOTION PRISM are equally relevant to all people.
Q: Tell me, what sort of people will find these lessons useful?
Dr.Mani: In a word - Everyone.
The reason is simple. These truths are universal. They should - and will - benefit you, no matter who you are, where you live, or what you do. People from different professions, ethnic groups, countries, religions and cultures have benefited from these lessons. You can too.
And if you're thinking this is going to be a complex, lengthy, difficult process - stop. Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed the danger with a book like this is that you might think these ideas are too simple to work.
Q: I have been one of the lucky people to review your book before it was published, and have already started using some of the strategies you advocate. For someone trying them out for the first time, it is a little difficult to change the way we think about things. Do you have any suggestions to make it easier?
Dr.Mani: The three simple concepts that will form the crux of your strategy to improve your life are not at all complicated. To understand and apply them, you don't need to be a genius. Anyone can learn to use them. But it takes time.
It is always hard to accept something new, something different. Old habits die hard. But if you persist they can be beaten. If at first you have some difficulty putting these concepts to use, remember your life will be much better when you've learned to control your emotions. And be patient. Don't give up.
Q: Thank you very much for discussing your new book, THE EMOTION PRISM, with us, Dr.Mani. I'm sure many more people will benefit from the lessons you teach in it. How can one order a copy?
Dr.Mani: To begin with, the book is only being offered in electronic format for immediate download from our website at http://www.EmotionPrism.com You may place an order online using a credit card or PayPal. Alternatively you can order by online check, postal check, or fax. Visit our website for details -
THE EMOTION PRISM - http://www.EmotionPrism.com