When I first read the information on the back cover of the book, it depicted a story of the personal spiritual journey of an ordinary housewife. As I began reading the book, it soon became apparent that the author, Jyoti Sondhi is definitely not in any sense an ordinary housewife. There is something special about her. I am drawn by her honesty, wisdom and inspiration. The book deals with personal issues encountered by many of us. For those who have been constantly searching for answers, Jyoti provides us with her guidance to help us to develop our spiritual awakening. We have been plagued and tormented daily by our ego and burdened by emotional baggage. Jyoti helps us to understand and manage this deficit by harnessing a balanced energy so that we are in harmony with the Universe. This is a must-read book for those who are interested in pursuing a spiritual path to rediscovering life and to be awakened to ones life purpose. Jyotis wisdom and spiritual guidance will help us to light the lamp within.

- Daniel Voon, Auckland

Read this book and you will find moments in your life which will be recognized, explained, revisited from a new angle or even put on the path of resolution and disposal if that is what should happen. A series of essays designed to assist your inner spirit come alive. Read as a book, or use the contents list as a reference. Personally I read it through and now dip and read whenever the urge comes to me. You are reading this review because you have been lead towards this point by a spirit within you that wants to grow and this book will help.

- Colleen Augustine, Auckland

Lighting the Lamp Within

Jyoti Sondhi would be described by some as an ordinary housewife. This book she wrote is all but ordinary!

In her simple, yet clear way, she describes her personal journey toward "spiritual awakening".

What is really this "awakening" that we read so much about recently?  Lighting the Lamp Within is a masterpiece in its own way to help realize that these states of awareness are not the exclusivity of saints and gurus;  that it doesn't have to be the result of years of ascetic practices in a cave...

No, it is a shift of perspective, a shift in our consciousness that allows us to see reality as it is, not as we were conditioned to believe it is... Through a simple language and examples of her daily experience of life, Jyoti reveals to us how accessible this Light really is to everyone, and how we can put this knowledge in practice right away!

I strongly recommend to read it.

- Swami Rajasananda [centremukti.com]

Lighting the Lamp Within by Jyoti Sondhi is the author's story about how she discovered the power of Reiki and the change it made in her life. Among the changes was a spiritual enlightening. Reiki is a method of natural healing and the universal life force. The author has some great points throughout her essays, from being judgmental, to boredom, to how to control our own ego. Sondhi helps others connect with their inner being and to the Divine Source so they, too, will experience a more inspired family life...so they, too, can find peace and joy by lighting the lamp within their inner soul.

Regardless of our religious beliefs we all have the same problems in life of dealing with children, especially teenagers, people with inflated egos, and control freaks. The author offers many good points in her essays. There is much thought behind the ethical principles: do not worry, do not anger, honor your parents and do an honest day's work. These principles will probably sound familiar to most readers. These are principles we should all live by. This book contains good philosophy. I suggest reading this book with an open heart and mind. The concepts are universal. We need to light our inner lamp and let our light shine.

- Lynn F.

“Lighting the lamp within” unfolds as a stream of consciousness from a dainty intelligent woman. At first glance it would seem to meander like a documentary because of the simplistic narrative style, but upon reflection it is rather profound and perceptive, and a deeper narrative lurks between the lines of her charming incidental anecdotes.

Jyoti has distilled her thoughts wrung from the history of her own life, into an interesting book, which will make us sit up and sharpen our own senses of life and spirituality. Spirituality has always been a blind spot in everyone’s life, neglected in the hurly burly of everyday life; Jyoti sees it as intrinsic to daily life and likens it to a stream which can seep into our veins and open into an aquifer to bloom like a flower.  The book shows us that spirituality does not have to hover on another plane but is accessible to ordinary folk and it is beautiful and transcendent.

Without being pedantic and steering away from dogmas and scriptures Jyoti conjures feelings of tranquility in our troubled lives... a place of retreat and contemplation amidst the deceit and noise of the 21st century.  Like a glass light and delicate Jyoti entices us to take a sip of the transmutation of passion into a spiritual awakening. Jyoti challenges us to do no less for ourselves with her racy discerning lines adding a tinge of divinity to cure the sepsis of the soul.

A simple solution to our complex problems!

- K. Vinay Kumar, Mumbai

What a tremendous thing you've accomplished in this book! I am amazed. I have read your introduction last night and become aroused profoundly. Thanks to all concerned writing and publishing this invaluable piece of Spirituality in written form. Our civilization has progressed a lot, otherwise such practical spirituality would not come to your pen. I have much to say, specially regarding the last two paragraphs of your valuable Introduction. And I have become fascinated to that Man Mr. Rajiv who made this thing possible. Really you are lucky and so are we having the book.

This book is modern "Pilgrim's Progress" or something subtle than that. After a long time, spirituality again has been arrested within the words, sentences and sequences of this book for the thirsty and thoughtful readers who love to live with light.

This is a book we need to read to live everyday life with light of own-self.

- Firoz Khan, Bangla Desh

A Bright Light

My light shines brighter this day because of this extraordinary collection of essays and wisdoms that the author shared. Written in an easy to understand format, this book clarifies and answers some concerns that all who are on the Path ask from time to time.

This is a book we need to read to live everyday life with light of own-self.

- Spiritnewlight, Amazon

Many people take an entire lifetime trying to "find themselves". Jyoti Sondhi's philosophy shared in her book is refreshing, yet bold. Insights on how to light your own lamp within, she encourages people not to wait a lifetime, but to embrace life today. Check your ego at the door of life and see what surprises await you. Jyoti shares her spiritual journey openly and most eloquently. Describing herself as an ordinary housewife, she embraces her spiritual life and the spiritual lives of others as important and extraordinary. In my opinion, her writing style consists of passion, power and offers her readers insight into their own inner warrior for spirituality. A good read for those just beginning their spiritual journey. Regardless of your religion or your background, her book relates to all people. Nice!

- A Reader from Barnes and Noble

People look everywhere, sometimes spend their whole life looking for happiness. They long for that feeling of serenity which they are just waiting to happen, but which seems forever out of their grasp. Even while turning to spirituality, many do not attain peace. Jyoti, a seeker and a deep believer, shares her journey in `Lighting the Lamp Within.' A frank, personal and profound story, Lighting the Lamp Within is an account of how spirituality changed her life.

Jyoti draws from vast experiences in her own life and the lives of others to explore how these 'Soul Subjects' help us to rely on our own spirit or soul to guide us in our lives. She says to progress at the spiritual level, we need to remove clutter not only from our homes and our wardrobes, but also from our hearts and minds.

"A spiritually connected person is above strong negative emotions. He is just a dispassionate observer of the play of emotions.” she writes.

It offers sincere advice on how to help us get back on track if we find ourselves spiritually stuck, no matter what religious beliefs we currently may have. Lighting the Lamp Within is written in a way that allows everyone's truth to be respected, yet gives insight into the many ways we can grow spiritually, recognizing that each soul has a story and a journey of its own.

I wish the journey of this book all the best as it sets sail into the spiritual world, spirited on by winds of truth and sincerity billowing its sails, towards the shores of inner peace and serenity for all who read it and reflect on it.”

- Pavan Kapoor, Jakarta

A simple yet profound shift in consciousness is the way, says Jyoti Sondhi, to Lighting the Light Within. This is the Light that all religious and spiritual traditions speak of, the brightness and clarity that shine away all confusion, delusion, and suffering – and Jyoti has glimpsed it. Chances are, you have, too.

In the simplest of terms and with the sincere warmth of a koffee-klatching neighbor, Jyoti succeeds in bridging the gap between the religious beliefs that underlie dogma and ritual, and the spiritual wakefulness that now informs her life.

It all started for her at Reiki training, with each successive level acquainting her with subtler, more refined vibrations. At level three came a major shift, one that she describes as a “merger” with the Divine Source. Ever-increasing wakefulness followed, along with a rush of gratitude, compassion, and the ability to inspire much greater harmony among family members and friends. Strengthened by heartfelt prayer and positive affirmations and visualizations, Jyoti began to find unconditional joy and true power in the soul qualities of kindness, peace, and generosity. At the same time, her interest in external, transient delights of the ego - such as money, beauty, and status – began to wane and all but disappear. Abiding in the limitless reservoir of energy that permeates everything, Jyoti no longer feared death, or so much as raised her voice in the inevitable confrontations with her teenagers!

“Why look to external power and pleasures to feel complete when you are already infused with the energy of love?” she asks. “Why allow ego to run your life?” Jyoti discusses potent practices and realizations that can help to change fears to love, obstacles to stepping stones, and emptiness to completion. In so doing, and sometimes in just humbly “letting be,” she provides a roadmap to joyous reconnection with our true identity in the One Presence and Power.

So why attend to the unflashy thoughts of an “ordinary housewife,” who one day found herself graced by a spiritual awakening? The answer is: precisely because it is so ordinary, so personally accessible and affecting.

- Jo-Ann Langseth, independent reviewer