First self-help book published by aspiring author

AN ACCOUTANT who became involved with spiritualist organisations has had her first book published about how to achieve long-term happiness.

Rita Hemraj, 28, of Addison Way, Northwood Hills, decided to write the self-help book, Mind Secrets, after attending Hindu organisations and speaking to spiritual masters.

She said: "I was surprised how open these masters were about their spiritual journey, and by talking to them they helped encourage and progress my own journey.

"They say in the Eastern tradition that when you are ready, the knowledge will come. I feel it was a mixture of my incessant questions to these masters as well as certain aspects of spiritual knowledge that fell in my lap. I have been lucky enough to be involved in many spiritual based organisations, some of which engage in hair-splitting sessions where we scrutinised ancient scriptures to try to understand how spirituality can be used in everyday life.

"For all those 'hair-splitting' sessions, I am thankful in the way that they have expanded my mind to see things I would not have ordinarily seen.

"I decided to write the book to make the teachings accessible to everyone and it's the first time I have done something completely different like this.

"What is offered in the book is a way to access permanent happiness so that it does not escape us the moment we get it, by using a happiness framework.

"Happiness is something that has been unlearned, and all we need to do is relearn it to experience it.

"I would love to continue writing because it's a passion of mine. It's just about expanding the mind."

The book was published last month by New Generation Publishers, a not-for-profit company, and it can be bought from www.amazon.co.uk for £6.99.

All the proceeds will go to the organisations that Mrs Hemraj has been involved in.