Look Inside

J. Krishnamurti and Sant Kabir (A Study In Depth)

$24
Item Code: IDI759
Publisher: MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD.
Author: Rohit Mehta, Shridevi Mehta
Language: English
Edition: 2006
ISBN: 8120806689
Pages: 137
Cover: Hardcover
Other Details 8.3" X 5.3
Weight 350 gm
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
23 years in business
23 years in business
Book Description

Introduction

From Kabir To Krishnamurti (referred to in the book as Krishnaji) is a far cry. For, they are separated one from the other by over five centuries. But quantitative measurement of this distance in terms of time is extremely mis-leading. This distance has a qualitative aspect which cannot be measured in any time-scale. Two great seers lived in two completely different worlds-with no comparison between the two. And yet they expressed their thoughts and experience not only in a similar language but almost in identical terms. In this book we are not so much concerned with looking at Krishnaji's philosophy in an exhaustive or a detailed manner. Nor are we concerned to examine Kabir's approach to life at length or in a systematic manner. That is not the purpose of this book.

In these two streams of thought represented by Kabir and Krishnaji, we have noted a fascinating parallelism. These streams run parallel to each other-and yet they meet from time to time. These are intersections between the two approaches to life. At these intersections they meet and again move along their own distinctive ways. Their teachings seem to be similar and yet they are different. We have been interested in these intersections of two streams of thought and expression. And in this book we have focused our attention on these meeting points between the two approaches to life.

So far as Kabir is concerned, the contribution in this book is mainly be my wife, Shrimati Shridevi Mehta. She has compiled and collected the songs and poems of Kabir. Not only that, she has adapted them to music, the classical and semi-classical style of North Indian music. But more than that, she has sung these songs to a large and varied audiences spread over the five continents of the world-Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States of America. Those who listened to these musical renderings were thrilled and could not believe that five hundred years ago there could have been a seer who was so deeply versed in the depths of human psychology. I and my wife have evolved a special technique of presenting a subject through musical discourses. My wife would sing and I would supplement the music with my comments. It has proved very successful. And among our various musical discourses, which we have presented to people all over the world, Kabir is a must. In this book we have presented the intersections between the writings and sayings of Kabir and Krishnaji. In the appendix we have presented the songs in the original Hindi language and in the order in which they appear in the text. They have been translated into English for the benefit of non-Hindi knowing readers. There has to be a free translation because word for word translation is impossible, nor would it sound pleasing. The Hindi version has been given for those who can understand that language. A translation. However lucid and faithful can never take the place of the original. As the songs in Hindi are in the same order as they appear in the text, their inclusion would be a distinct advantage Kabir was introduced to the English-knowing people by the translation of Rabindra Nath Tagore, the great and illustrious poet.

Both Kabir and Krishnamurti are truly revolutionary in their approach. They appear almost iconoclastic and completely non-traditional. It is this which is common to both the approaches. This would make the teachings more acceptable to the modern age. Both Kabir and Krishnamurti insist that no dogmas or creeds should emerge out of their teachings. Kabir. Said:

 

Diamonds are not found in heaps
The fragrant sandalwood trees do not
grow in rows,
Lions do not move in herds,
The spiritual man has no followers.

Unfortunately with the passage of time, the followers of Kabir have made his teachings imprisoned in creeds, dogmas and sects. Will this happen to Krishnamurti also? His friends and admirers will have to be very careful to see that such a thing does not happen. But it is like walking on a razor-edged path. Let us hope that teachings of Krishnamurti are not imprisoned in dogmas and creeds.

That this should not happen is the most essential thing for keeping his teachings pure and unsullied. This will require putting his teachings in proper perspective. We have tried to give this perspective so that Kabir is seen in a perspective of Krishnamurti and the latter in that of the former. A thing, a teaching, lives when it is seen in the proper teachings, in the perspective of ancient wisdom and modern thought. It is this perspective that imparts to the teachings vitality and a liveliness-without which the teachings become dead. No teachings get blurred and lifeless by exploration-they get vitiated by interpretation. To see the teachings in perspective is to keep them pure and unsullied. It is with this intention of exploration that we present Kabir and Krishnamurti in the perspective of each other. We hope that many such attempts will follow so that we are able to preserve the freshness and the liveliness of these most precious teachings that humanity has inherited. It is the humanity's most precious treasure.

 

Contents
  Introduction vii
Chapters   Page
I Beyond the Frontiers 1
II The Ground of Negation 9
III The Measurable and the Immeasurable 17
IV The Experience of Discontinuity 23
V Look Not Behind 31
VI The Obstinate Duality 37
VII The Choiceless Awareness 45
VIII The Flame Without a Smoke 53
IX Alone-But Not Lonely 61
X Freedom from Bondage 69
XI Look, Look: You Have Nothing Else To Do 77
XII The Unholy Alliance 83
XIII Awareness and Attention 89
XIV The Regenerative Silence 97
XV Untouched by the Known 105
XVI The Joy of Innocence 113
  Appendix: The Songs and Couplets of Kabir 119

Sample Pages









Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q. What locations do you deliver to ?
    A. Exotic India delivers orders to all countries having diplomatic relations with India.
  • Q. Do you offer free shipping ?
    A. Exotic India offers free shipping on all orders of value of $30 USD or more.
  • Q. Can I return the book?
    A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy
  • Q. Do you offer express shipping ?
    A. Yes, we do have a chargeable express shipping facility available. You can select express shipping while checking out on the website.
  • Q. I accidentally entered wrong delivery address, can I change the address ?
    A. Delivery addresses can only be changed only incase the order has not been shipped yet. Incase of an address change, you can reach us at help@exoticindia.com
  • Q. How do I track my order ?
    A. You can track your orders simply entering your order number through here or through your past orders if you are signed in on the website.
  • Q. How can I cancel an order ?
    A. An order can only be cancelled if it has not been shipped. To cancel an order, kindly reach out to us through help@exoticindia.com.
Add a review
Have A Question

For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy