Guest Post: F.T. Camargo

 My Spiritual Journey on How I Came To  Create Shanti and the Magic Mandala

For many years I have been practising yoga and meditation as well as studying the Kabbalah. My exploration of spiritual teachings motivated a commitment to self-development which in turn created a new path and goal in life. I’m positive that my new YA book, 
Shanti and the Magic Mandala was born from this inner journey.

I have always had the dream of being a writer.  

Ever since I was a child I loved to read and transport myself to the places I was reading about, and also traveling with the story.

One day, during my spiritual practices, I had an insight to write a book in which I could express myself.

I have written a book for the teenager I have been, and would have been amazed to read this book.

Shanti and the Magic Mandala is an adventure in which fantasy and reality are mingled. The book tells the story of six teenagers, from different religious and cultural origins and different parts of the world, who are mystically recruited to form two groups - one in the Northern Hemisphere, and one in the Southern.

They eventually gather in Peru, and through a single alliance, begin a frantic chase for the sacred object that can stop the black magician's final plan...

In my opinion young people are the ones who will be able to change the world. That’s why I have decided to bring them something, to plant a seed in their lives, to be able to germinate good feelings related to the planet, related to their rights and responsibility.  I decided that it would be a good idea to use a playful approach with these themes that are so important for the planet. That’s why I decided to write an adventure, but it is a fantasy as well sd many mystical and spiritual approaches.

This is the reason why I had the idea to use distinctive characters from different cultural and religious backgrounds, trying to show that it doesn’t matter your cultural or religious background to create a union and harmony to be proactive regarding humankind, animal defense and environmental issues. So I think my story can inspire good actions for a better world aiming for freedom and compassion and to reach peace. 

Also I love the diversity and I think the world is so big to explore new flavors & tastes, different colors, unique cultures, different religions, beautiful landscapes, distinctive architecture; always admiring and respecting the differences. That’s why I used different locations with completely different aspects as well. I think we have to be open for the new, mainly because we live in a globalized era in which we are very connected

Writing, for me, has been such an amazing and incomparable experience to express myself by giving a new purpose for my life.  In fact I want to turn Shanti and the Magic Mandala into a book series, and by the way I have already done a great research in other countries in Asia for my next book.

Bio of the author:  

F. T. Camargo is an Italian Brazilian living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. An award winning architect, he also studied Arts and Media and has a post degree in Economics and MBA in e-commerce. He is a vegetarian because of his love for all animals and has been deeply involved in causes for their protection and freedom. He is a world traveler adventurer, outdoor sports lover, speaks 4 languages and has published a travel book “Rio, Maravilha!”.

For many years he has been practicing yoga and meditation and studying the Kabbalah. His exploration of spiritual teachings motivated a commitment to self-development which in turn created a new path and goal in life. Shanti and the Magic Mandala was born from his inner journey.

Shanti and the Magic Mandala on Amazon