Best-selling author Douglas W. Davis. Photo courtesy of Douglas W. Davis
Bestselling author Douglas W. Davis spoke about his book Yoga: A Love Story.
background to the book
Yoga: A Love Story by Douglas Davis tells a deeply human story of one man’s search for resonance and love. The protagonist, John Yogacara Asanga, struggles with being a half Indian, half white man in rural Indiana.
His quest for belonging takes him to Chicago, where he joins a notorious Black South Side gang simply because they accept him. He learns that downtown gang life and survival has an integrity. Eventually, the gang’s criminal activity leads to a prison sentence for him. He agrees and accepts witness protection – just not in the USA. But in India.
In India, his spiritual journey really begins. On his journey through the amazing Kaziranga jungle he encounters angels, demons, changing tigers and breathtaking vistas. Once he learns the true meaning of yoga – a union with God – he finds love for himself, others and the love of his life.
The story is full of mystical, magical details associated with romance. From Indiana to the center of the earth and back, Yoga A Love Story takes you on a captivating journey that opens audiences to the mysteries of yoga, the universe, and love and life.
biography
Douglas Davis is a writer, father, husband and constant spiritual seeker. He has a passion for Eastern and Western religions, particularly learning how they are intertwined. His hobbies include studying world religions and playing a fiery jazz trumpet.
His lifelong goal is to unite all religious and spiritual seekers by revealing how they all descend from the same tree. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his family and two poodles. He has blogged for Beliefnet and published a book of spiritual essays called In My Contemplation. Yoga A Love Story is his first published novel.
Q&A interview
“Yoga: A Love Story” was very popular with readers and reviewers. Every book has a story about its creation, what is the story behind this phenomenal book?
I wanted to write something along the lines of the Carlos Castaneda books that I enjoyed reading in the late ’70s and early ’80s. I didn’t want to just be a spiritual statement, I wanted it to be fun, so I combined the spiritual journey with a love story.
As soon as John learns to love himself and to recognize the power of his spirit within himself, a wonderfully mysterious and impressive world opens up to him.
Did you learn anything new about yourself while writing Yoga A Love Story? Have you included any of your spiritual journeys in this epic read?
I have included my studies of world religions over the past 20 years. In search of my truth, I have studied Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Jainism intensively. John’s journey to himself was my journey of learning that we are all one, regardless of race or religion.
Writing a book is not for the faint of heart. What was one of your challenges and vice versa one of your successes?
My biggest challenge was finding an arc, creating characters, and then listening to those characters. My greatest achievement was following my main character to India. It wasn’t part of my original plan, but the character took over and I just went along to have fun.
When you last read through Yoga: A Love Story, what was your favorite part and why?
My favorite part is still the beginning. The opening line of a book or a song is very important. It sets the tone for the entire work. I love the opening line and I also love the dialogue between John and Anya at the end of the novel.
This book was so successful that we’re sure your fans are wondering what’s next. Do you have another book in the works that you can tell us about?
I have another book in the works. I’m in the middle of the novel as we speak. This will cover the environment and interstellar and interplanetary travel.
What’s your favorite way to celebrate when you’ve finished a new book?
A great cigar, fine rye whiskey and good jazz. If I’m lucky, I actually jam on my trumpet with my friends, who are excellent jazz musicians. Improvisation is invigorating and pure creativity. When improvising, there is no time to think. You just have to play. I write the same way…just let it go and see where your mind takes you.
Yoga: A Love Story is available on Amazon by clicking here.
