Essence of Eastern Spirituality and Western Philosophy: A Sufi World Initiative

The speciality of this Spiritual-Philosophical book is that the subjects are ancient; taking us to the \past when Rishis, Saints, Prophets and Philosophers blessed the humans with their knowledge and insight, their lifelong experiences, golden ideas and advices which have since the olden times been discussed, elucidated and spoken of by many learned scholars, philosophers and others of different ages from spiritual and religious points of view, from materialistic angles or judged otherwise.

Four of the seven authors are poets first before any other type of composer, scholar, writer or artist. In professional life one was a member of Indian Police Service, one of Administrative Service, one was member of Indian Revenue Service and another a legal expert; of them two were members of Judicial Tribunal. One is Professor and Academician, one is University Professor Emeritus. One was a Banker (a Bank Executive). So the book is a meeting place of various professionals who all merged into the vast field of Poetry and Literature which Include all professions and go beyond to embrace life and whatever is or is not there beyond life. The works of poets and litterateurs embrace all and goes beyond. Authors have discussed the age old knowledge refined in their multilingual, multidimensional modern cauldron of culture and understanding.

Reviews by different authors are here for the book              

Aju Mukhopadhyay has written on Tantra, one of the ancient paths of the Hindu Religion. A comparative study of Sufi and Bhakti Literature, on the great mystic poet and leader of the Kabir Cult, Sant Kabir and a Spiritual Narrative which consists of the actual meeting of a mendicant traveller travelling in the Himalayas, with the real Yogis hiding in caves and such places; living far from the crowd, never wishing to appear before the public. The rare meetings and the result of their revealing yogic power and Bibhuti , not only overwhelmed the traveller but he himself witnessed such apparently miraculous powers and capacities in himself. Though miraculous they are truths based on another occult science which is no less truth than the modern science, ruling the mind and lives of the moderns. They do not depend on someone or the others’ belief; they exist in their own world with certitude; ever dazzling truth. The poet has also contributed his selected poems which are in harmony with the spirit of this book.    

Ajay Kumar Singh has dedicated himself to the life and work of Sant Kabir, achieving a Doctorate on him. He has contributed his learned work on him; an illuminative and comprehensive work.

Dr. Suresh Chandra Pande has discussed at length the tenets of Indian Philosophy, talking about the six major divisions of ancient Indian thoughts and philosophy, including Sankhya and Yoga, Vedanta or Upanishads. He has taken up the issue of Karma, a very important aspect of Indian religion and philosophy. He has tried to seek the cultural roots of Indian Religions. At last, he has discussed different aspects of prayer and its efficacy. Beginning with the prayers of the British poet Lord Tennyson he has referred to various prayers rooted in many religions and cultures.

P C K Prem has contributed on Vedas and some aspects of the Hindu Religion, specially the aspect of Karma, more talked about and discussed than anything else of the Hindu religious philosophy and faith. Many writers from other countries whose religions do not share the faith on rebirth often refer to this Karma aspect of Hindu Religion. I hope that this will be one of the very interesting subjects dealt with in the book as some others too have written on it.

S. L. Peeran has contributed his comprehensive works on Islam, Holy Quran, Sufism; various aspects of Sufism and spiritualism and poetry. He has also contributed his poems influenced by Sufi ideas and relevant thoughts.

     Dr Jayshree Singh has written on the legendary Krishna devotee, ardent lover of Krishna, Mirabai. She has also written on Sufism and Sufi World in the perspective of historicity and contemporary socio cultural prevailing trend in philosophical thought that led to the radical spurt in emerging notions with regard to faith, divinity, Infinity and spirituality to spiritualise human concerns.

T.K.Jayaraman has contributed a long Chapter titled “A Popular Introduction to Western Philosophy from Descartes to Sartre”, Beginning and ending with two French philosophers, according to his love for French, Jayaraman has discussed on 20 Western Philosophers from Rene Descartes of the seventeenth century to Jean Paul Sartre of the twentieth century; sufficient to introduce European Philosophers though the older Greek Philosophers are not in the list.

     Besides the seven writers, Notes by a lover of Ancient wisdom by an anonymous writer claims special mention as it has introduced some abstract subjects, applicable to all religions like True Religion, True worship, Love, Purification of Soul, Natural Law and Evolution. It has made some special mention like Swami Vivekananda on Islam and Mohammed, some comparative study between Quran and Geeta, Islamic philosophical cosmology compared to Theosophy and some special aspects of Hindu Religion like Symbol of Linga and Gotra, besides discussion on Hindu Philosophy and devotion; Bhagavata Purana. This chapter has work on Buddha.