The World Within

By Yamini Mathur

 

An ambitious and hardworking 20-year Nisha's aspiration in life were clear and attainable until one day - a fine morning that started with generosity and moral consideration for a homeless ends up in a struggle for survival.

Trapped in an unknown with a deluded, unconcerned teenager, Marcus, and a grumpy old widower, Lee. How could she fathom the irony of fate? A place with no willful entry or exit leaves her at the edge of desperation that results in heated arguments with Marcus.

What they had failed to notice soon becomes apparent when dawned upon a grief stricken, Lee. He screams into the void, "Why must we go through something as drastic as this to realize?" All they needed was an individual effort and the strength of will to work out their own salvation. The task - recognize the strength of karma over the power of love of God.

Lee unwillingly survives the tribulation, but how will Nisha and Marcus escape?

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The eastern culture has many complex beliefs about a tie into karma with a basic idea that all actions and thoughts have consequences. We are tied in an intricate web of action and reaction where our behavior and our intentions matter.

Wisdom is looking into the present moment and recognizing that we are not what we think we are, and things are not what they seem to be. Breaking a karmic debt is the wisdom of accepting and letting go.

My attempt to write this story as a musical theater play is to portray a clear insight on the workings of karma through simple words and relatable characters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yamini Mathur
• Release date: Jan 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393684961

Yamini Mathur

A graduate in psychology; born and brought up in India; Yamini lives in Thailand with her husband and two children. Part-time writer, part-time baker, she has 12 years of work experience in the hospitality industry. The World Within is her debut book, the onset of which took off her journey towards the field of writing. An avid reader, she is also a volunteer in an International school giving reading classes to a group of students. The story was written with the end in mind. After her mother’s death, it was much more difficult in accepting the sudden and untimely death of a close friend. This started life’s queries pondering questions on life and death. The thirst for knowledge led to a love for reading, beginning with books on major religion, and digging into numerology and astrology; when realization struck, recognizing the strength of Karma over the powerful love of God.  

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. All statements, activities, descriptions, stunts, information or material contained herein are included for entertainment purposes only and should not be relied on for accuracy or replicated as they may result in mental or physical injury.

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IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER

I was left with a feeling of self-reflection at the end of the play, which lingered. The writer has a way of making the reader empathize with the characters. The exploration of faith, life and death are executed well. The staging works and the varying perspectives of the characters on their own shortcomings make for an interesting read.

~ Michael Atkins, Learning Support Coordinator.

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The World Within is a powerful play about choices we make in life and the decision made by others that impact us. Life-changing realizations of the central characters make for a good read.

~ Sam Khan, Head of Foundation & Primary.

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‘This is a wonderful debut play for Yamini, and I’m proud to have played a small part in its creation. Thought-provoking ideas, situations, and interesting characters populate this play."

~ Joel Adams, theatrical actor, teacher, writer, and director. Theatrix Group Phuket

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Being a debut, there are many who I’d like to thank. Many without whose help this would not have been possible.

I’d like to begin with family and friends who spent time to read; giving precious feedback - I’m most grateful. Your opinion were invaluable. 

Thank you to the author of The User Guide to The Law of Karma, Khru Supawan Green. Karma explained in a simplest way.

To Joel Adams, my teacher, friend who helped me write, re-write and delete. It would’ve been difficult without your guidance. Thank you.

I’m especially grateful to Gracie Martin who helped me write the music for the song.

This book is also a special dedication to my friend, Pooja, who passed away a few years ago ... You were always in my thoughts.

Characters

Nisha – Female, 20

Marcus – Male, 18 

Lee – Male, 65-70

Nisha’s Family

Raj Mehta – Mum; Roger – Dad; Nanu – (Grandpa) Raj’s Father

Marcus’s Family

Helen Frost – Mum; Peter Frost – Dad

Lee’s Neighbor

Nadia – Female, 30; Thomas – Nadia’s son, 7

Others

A doctor, a nurse, a beggar, two to three teenage boys or girls

SCENE 1

Year 2007

Stage setting – Café

The Curtains open.

Nisha is setting tables. She’s humming her song.[1] A beggar walks toward the café and stops at the entrance. She looks at the beggar and smiles knowingly. She walks towards him, puts her hand in the pocket to fetch money out and drops it into the palm of his hand that he has stretched out. She smiles. The beggar nods, showing his gratitude, and walks away. He stops halfway at the periphery of the café, removes a small pouch from his bag to keep the money, when...

Marcus enters with a group of