Saturday 17 August 2013

A Review of the book 'The Way Farther' by Shri OS Atri


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.

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