Title: Equanimity: The Spirit Within
Author: Samuel D. Bartoli
Publisher: Halo International
ISBN: 978-1-61244-190-0
Genre: Religion & Spirituality
Pages: 326
Reviewed by: Susan Milam
Hollywood Book Review
Equanimity: The Spirit Within chronicles the spiritual journey of author Samuel D. Bartoli, a former Southern California Golden Gloves Boxing Champion. Part memoir, part guidebook, Equanimity provides an in-depth model for living a life based on service to God. Having fought it out with his own demons, Mr. Bartoli now seeks to help others battle their fears and enjoy the “beauty and grace” of the life with which “God has so richly blessed them.”
Samuel spends almost six years trying to move from the amateur boxing ring to the professional boxing ring. In 1993, suffering from migraine headaches and blurred vision, he visits a doctor and receives a diagnosis of Pugilistic Dementia. The doctor tells him that he can continue to box but mentions the mental symptoms that are common to most boxers, including a slight speech impediment. By this time, Samuel’s passion for boxing had already begun to diminish, and the evening following his discussion with the doctor, Samuel has a discussion with himself. He wonders, “Is all this physical pain and mental anguish really worth it?” As Samuel is questioning his life choices, he is taunted by the Devil who encourages him to end his life. The Devil says this is what the Lord wants. The evil spirit is vanquished by the appearance of God, who claims Samuel as his own. Only after the episode ends does Samuel realize how close he came to killing himself. Reborn in the Lord, Samuel’s life becomes a journey toward continued growth as a God-fearing man, and he hopes to share the lessons he has learned with others who may be struggling.
Equanimity: The Spirit Within delves deeply into what it means to live a godly life and the rewards that come from following the Lord’s precepts. Although the author stresses the need to live according to a strict moral code, he does so with a heart full of love and understanding for those who find themselves burdened by worldly problems. Mr. Bartoli’s book is both highly personal and scholarly. He draws on his own experiences and those of others he has met during his journey. Readers meet Mark, who lost his foot to cancer and from whom Mr. Bartoli learns that all people deal with difficulties. The author introduces readers to Marcy, whose forgiveness of her son’s murderer teaches Mr. Bartoli the power of following God’s example of “a compassionate and forgiving heart.” In addition to sharing these anecdotes, Mr. Bartoli underscores his message with ample quotations from scripture, poetry, philosophy and academia. No doubt many readers will find the book to be a reference to which they will return time and time again, perhaps underlining favorite passages and bookmarking essential thoughts.
Samuel D. Bartoli has taken on the full armor of God and battled the Devil head to head. In Equanimity: The Spirit Within, he tells the story of his journey from near suicide to a life filled with the glory of God. Through his writing, Mr. Bartoli presents a plan by which others can cope with their problems and discover the joy of living in God’s glorious world. Samuel D. Bartoli’s Equanimity: The Spirit Within is a wise, beautiful, brave, and deeply engaging book.