SHORT TAKES
Matter of mind and spirit
Randeep Wadehra

The Midnight Awakening
by Rajeev M. Kaushik. Rupa & Co. Pages: XIV+247. Rs 295.

Spiritualism is a form of higher philosophy that explores the realm of hidden powers within one’s mind. You don’t have to be particularly religious to be spiritual. In fact spiritual awakening can come to a person engaged in perfectly worldly pursuits. This has been exemplified by the story of the author, a physician, who experienced the first awakening of his kundalini even before he had become aware of Sahaj Yoga — he had a strange experience after visiting a Shiva temple. He developed backache and his entire body began to shiver uncontrollably while he was sleeping one winter night. Unable to find any medical reason for this phenomenon he surmised that this must be the sign of his kundalini awakening. In this way he set out on a path that unlocked the powers hidden in his mind.

This book is not just an autobiographical account of the author’s spiritual experiences but a glimpse into and lucid explanation of the development of psychic powers, the phenomenon of Chakras, the sensing of energy blocks, hypnosis and extra-sensory perceptions. Since Kaushik belongs to medical profession, the profusion of medical terminology is understandable. However, it has been used in a manner that the narrative becomes all the more interesting.

Splendid Mirror of Life
by N.S Tasneem. Jaswant Printers. Pages 144. Rs 200.

Niranjan Singh Tasneem’s wit and wisdom may camouflage the message’s gravitas but never fails to register in one’s mind. Take, for example, The golden mists in this volume. On the surface, it is a light-hearted account — peppered with Urdu couplets and a quote from Shakespeare — of a get together of retired academics, but is actually a subtle caution against self-delusion and hypocrisy. Similarly, in The chemistry of love he goes lyrical, albeit with a tinge of sadness, over the changing chemistry of love with the passage of time; when ardor is replaced with more sedate sentiments.

If you are looking for quality light reading this volume is for you.

The Ghost in Hamlet
by Syed Rifaquat Ali. Phulkian Press. Pages: VIII+158. Rs 300.

THERE is no commonly accepted complete and authoritative account of Shakespeare’s life. However, it is believed that he was born in 1564 and baptized in Stratford-upon-Avon. He was married to Anne Hathaway in 1582. They had a daughter in 1583 and twins — a boy and a girl — in 1585. The boy did not survive. By 1592 Shakespeare had become a successful actor and playwright. The publication of his two narrative poems Venus and Adonis (1593) and The Rape of Lucrece (1594), as well as his Sonnets (1609) established his reputation as a gifted and popular poet. Shakespeare’s modern reputation, however, is based primarily on the 38 plays attributed to him. He formed his own acting company, the Chamberlain’s Men, later called the King’s Men, and two theatres, the Globe Theatre and the Blackfriars.

The author has written a longish account of Shakespeare’s life — speculating on his antecedents and other aspects. It is interesting and absorbing and should be of some use to students of English literature.

He has also successfully attempted blank verse ‘remix’ of Shakespeare’s passages from various plays. Take these lines from Love’s labour lost, "Light/Seeking light/Doth/light/Of/Light beguile/So ere you find/Where/Light in darkness lies/Your/Light grows/Dark/By losing of your eyes". Certainly worth a read.

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