Book Review
The Way Farther –‘Something Behind The Curtain’
O.S. Atri
It is
difficult for a layman like me to write about matters- Metaphysical- I mean
transcendental and Spiritual. I was, however, excited and thrilled to go
through the book; hence my impressions albeit in brief.
First thing
first- the book makes you recollect another world famous book- An Autobiography
of a Yogi. There is however a problem best expressed in a Chinese saying:
“Those who
know, they do not speak,
Those who
don’t know, they speak!”
It is
indeed a mistaken notion though. Those who have experienced the thrill of
knowing matters- spiritual and transcendental must share it with the mankind
for universal benefit as Paramhans Yoganand rightly did. And now Mishraji
follows it with a real lucid exposition of spiritual matters in his simple and
beautiful style.
Secondly,
Indian Philosophy is totally different from Western philosophy. In Western
philosophy it is more of a mental exercise than a spiritual experience of the
ultimate reality. Kant called it- ‘Something behind the curtain’. Really he
stopped short of knowing the ultimate Reality! Significantly the precise word
for philosophy in Sanskrit is Darshan Shastra. It means being face to face with
the Truth! In India metaphysical matters are not a mental exercise but self realization
of the ultimate reality. That is why all important question- Have you seen God?
- is so easily and affirmatively answered by saints and sages in India. The
classic example is that of Vivekanand and his guru Ramkrishna Paramhans. In
brief spiritual enlightenment is a practical reality in India. Mishraji’s
experiences are real and vivid and it is an exciting and thrilling journey to
accompany him on his ‘The Way Farther’, the transcendental! It is as adventurous and ennobling as the
Pilgrim’s Progress of John Bunyan.
Another
important feature of Indian philosophy is the concept of transmigration of Soul
that includes the concept of reincarnation also. It explains the mystery of
life more logically and convincingly. It also explains the phenomenon of spiritual
enlightenment. The classic example is that of Lord Buddha. The miracle of
enlightenment happens in a split of a second, but it is a result of the
culmination of years (of Sadhna or tapasya) – may be of many lives of search
for the Ultimate Reality. In Mishra’s autobiographical narrative there are many
references and instances of seekers engaged in spiritual experiments with
truth. His memoirs are in fact the Summing up of a Life-long spiritual journey.
In the end,
the worth of the book is truly enhanced by the writer’s wide and deep knowledge
of the Vedas and the important Scriptures. In many chapters and the three
appendices he has so beautifully simplified the complex-profound religious
texts and spiritual experiences. Like his books- The Gita For All, The Vedas
For All, World: The Abode of God, The Way Farther will be popular and widely
acclaimed and appreciated. To conclude- The Way Farther is a compact encyclopedia
of spiritual knowledge and wisdom with a message-“To be spiritually minded is
life and Peace’ Kant.
Krishna
Bhawan, 492 Nanak Ganj, Sipri Bazar, Jhansi 284003, mob- 09565158811