|
How does one reach such a stage of
detachment? For this one must realise that the human mind needs
lies, illusions and dreams because man cannot live with the
truth. Here, perhaps, Osho could have used the qualifying phrase
'in the ordinary course of life'. Nevertheless, one tends to
agree with the thesis that escapism is a conspicuous human
trait. Man spends an entire lifetime on hope. In order to
progress on the path to enlightenment it is essential to reach
the stage called 'cessation of mind'. For this Yoga is
essential. A mind full of dreams cannot tread the path of Yoga
because it helps in revealing the truth. Yoga is a method of
attaining a non-dreaming mind. It is the science that teaches
one to be in the here and now. Yoga means now one is ready not
to move into the future; and one is ready not to hope, not to
jump ahead of one’s being; to encounter the reality as it is.
Osho presents his
interpretation of the scriptures, as well as the wisdom of
sages, seers and great thinkers belonging to all the great
religions of the world. I read the four books in the sequence
listed above and found the progression of Osho's message quite
absorbing. Hope you, too, experience the same.
***
A Treasury of
Inspirational Thoughts
by S.P. Sharma. Pustak
Mahal, Delhi. Pages 141. Rs 68.
 Maxims, adages,
aphorisms or proverbs are part of every society's written and
oral literature. These help in conditioning the general mindset
of the society. Often, if not always, sayings act as
torchbearers for those floundering in the darkness of ignorance
and indecision. Some of the utterings are attributed to great
men. For example Dr. Radhakrishnan says, "Knowledge is not
something to be packed away in some corner of our brain, but
what enters into our being, colours our emotion, haunts our
soul, and is as close to us as life itself." Much earlier,
in a similar vein, Vivekananda had described education as
life-building, man-making, character-forming assimilation of
ideas.
Sharma has
provided maxims in alphabetical order. So we have Roosevelt
holding forth on action, "Do what you can, with what you
have, where you are." Mother Theresa observes, "If you
give what you do not need, it is not charity." And Somerset
Maugham tells you emphatically, "Temper is a funny thing;
you can't get rid of it by losing it."
Gift this book to
your kids, friends or siblings.
***
Personal
Quality
by M. Raghupathy & S.
Krishnamurthy. Vikas Publishing House, N. Delhi. Pages x + 163.
Rs 150.
 All corporate
houses are driven by the profit motive. In order to earn or
maximise profits they aim to establish and extend their hold on
the market by providing quality goods and services to consumers.
So quality and consumer loyalty go hand in hand. Here the
characteristics of human resources employed by an organisation
come into play. Earlier not much importance was given to
improving the workforce's competencies. Now constant upgradation
of workers' skills is part of all progressive corporate
policies.
This book inquires
into the reasons for poor productivity. It also explains in
detail how personal quality can be augmented and how it will
have a positive impact on the nation's growth. Chapters like
"SHE - Safety, Health and Environment",
"Character Ethics", "Nonconformities in Personal
Quality" and "Foundation for Quality Management"
are quite interesting.
|
SPIRITUALISM
is above logic. Yet, to evolve spiritually, one must chart out
a path — logically. Sounds contradictory? However, the
silver-tongued Osho a.k.a. Acharya Rajneesh is able to
reconcile the irreconcilable. Citing Patanjali, he says that
one must have the courage to experiment and jump into the
unknown. Belief might not help one in experiencing the higher
spiritual phenomenon, but experience can enable us to become
believers. He advocates abhyasa in order to have the
inner experience that will take one away from the self. Says
he, "Before every movement, let there be a moment of
meditation…Just become dispassionate, non-attached, so you
can look as an observer, unprejudiced — as if you are not
involved, you are just a witness. And then move!"
