The Stuff of Life

In his collection of essays, The Stuff of Life, Asif Zaidi takes on a series of often grand subjects and makesthem relevant to the lives people lead, distilling the wisdom of thinkers both ancient and modern to assist him. The Stuff of Life takes on a broad range of subjects, using the words of great thinkers and the author’s owninsights. For readers with a casual interest in philosophy, and those in search of some inspiration of their own, there ismuch here that is rewarding.

Asif Zaidi takes on fundamental questions of meaning and morality. Zaidi’s approach is moderate and rational. He avoids dogmatism and absolutes, emphasizing that each person must find their own answers. The psychological insight he has gained from his own spiritual life as well as his successful career, balances his work. The author writes in a conversational tone, never falling into jargon. His narrative reveals a cultured mind, well-read in the works of many cultures.

An assemblage of meditative reflections on the meaning of a life well-lived. Zaidi’s focus is philosophical; his essays explore the nature of consciousness, the limits of conceptual and dualistic thinking, and the distinction between forgiveness and love. The fulcrum of the work, however, is the relation between faith and reason or the elucidation of our place in the cosmos. Such ideology-free analysis is rare and welcome in these rancorously divisive times.

A veritable treasure trove of essays bridging a wide variety of philosophical topics. This book is stuffed with the type of philosophical questions that I enjoy. Many of the essays reminded me of my own meanderings, while others had me stopping to marinate in a new way of thinking about something. Oh, but this author’s, nay, this philosopher's words ring within me. If you enjoy being challenged in your thinking and musing over the deeper things in life, you are sure to enjoy this book. The writing itself is beautiful.

Reviewed by J. Aislynn d'Merricksson

It's especially refreshing to see such a perspective wound into essays. Having a foundation that lies more in business milieu than in liberal arts and spiritual thinking adds a depth and practicality that many similar-sounding coverages eschew. Add psychological insights and you have a survey that is rich in scope and considerations. Highly recommended for spiritual and social issues thinkers who would consider connections between philosophy, history, psychology, and the world's greater purposes. 

The Stuff of Life by Asif Zaidi is a "simple" collection of thoughts. It is meant to be a spiritual guide/philosophy on how to live life and find meaning in it. The author references previous authors and poets who have come before him throughout to support his points. It's a genuinely pleasant read. It's worth a read if a stepping stone to building a better life is something readers want to look into.