Echo in the Lotus Land
by Kassie Sambaraju

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Death and loss are universal. But how do we liberate ourselves from the frustration, grief, and pain of losing a loved one? Echo in the Lotus Land is a narrative philosophical novel exploring themes of grief, loss, and contemplation through the lens of ancient Indian rational philosophy and spiritualism. Drawing on Samkhya texts, a dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, it seeks to help the reader liberate the self through the parable of Chaya. Chaya’s roommate, Karl, has just lost his mother. As the family comes together around the funeral, Chaya reflects on her past experiences dealing with the loss of her own mother, and how this new death brings that history back into focus. Chaya searches for the meaning of life, and how to resolve and take action to move away from the discomfort of loss and into equanimity once more.

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Kassie Sambaraju is a researcher and the author of In the Shadows of Death (2023). A lover of metaphysics and philosophy, she has sought from a young age to understand pain and suffering through the spiritual guidance of a diverse array of religious and academic texts. She enjoys art, culture, indoor cycling, yoga, and spending time outdoors. Kassie lives in Vancouver.

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Kassie Sambaraju