Simple Spirituality Recalling Kabir by Arun Tiwari

It is a book that will make every reader reflect and think inwards, search within one’s own self. The Kath Upanishad tells us, ‘Know that the body is a chariot and that the atman is a charioteer’. But the implication is also one of knowing one’s own self, seeking answers to questions. Reading this engaging book will facilitate the asking of those questions and perhaps, provide some Answers.

The book is organised in three parts, namely, (1) Breaking the hypnotic spell; (2) Connecting to the God within and (3) Living spiritually, so that one is motivated as well as informed to practice spirituality in daily life. Each part has three chapters citing Kabir’s verses and gives simple steps that one can follow, even as a normal worldly person doing one’s job, living with one’s family and engaging with friends. To position Kabir in the larger philosophical mandala and to add emphasis, verses from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga-kundalini Upanishad, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Ramcharitmanas have been cited. A hundred verses of Kabir cited in the book are given in full at the end, with interpretation assistance in Hindi. Also added is a diagram showing Nadi and Chakra terminology.

The theme of this book is to realise our immortal essence and use it as an anchor in the turbulence, mostly cognitive, but also physical. Psychologists now call these drastic and irrational mental, emotional or physical upsurges by the name neurosis.