The Philosophy Of Self-Knowledge

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M.M. Agrawal has done his graduation and doctorate in philosophy from University of London. He has subsequently taught at the following institutions: Northern Polytechnic, London; University of Khartoum, Sudan; University of Nigeria, Nigeria; North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. where he held the chair of culture.

He was also a fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. Among his numerous publications on various subjects, his following works in the Philosophy of Religion and Spirituality are considered as noteable contribution to knowledge; Individuality and Reincarnation (1978). The Philosophy of Non-Attachment (1982), Consciousness and the Integrated Being (1991), Ethics and Spirituality (1998), Freedom of the Soul (2002), Spirituality and Indian Culture (2005).

In spite of great advancement in science and technology, we have not been able to solve any human problems for good-the problems of relationship and sorrow arising out of the fear of non-being, insecurity. anxiety and attachment. In the present world, human depravation has intolerably increased. Even the physical fear and insecurity abounds.

In India, however, from time to time, great spiritual teachers have maintained that the main reason for this state of human beings lies in their ignorance of the true nature of their own "self". Naturally, because it is only self-knowledge that reveals the ultimate inclusive truth, goodness and beauty of life and thus, assigns meaning and value to it. Human beings must find this meaning and value of life and be guided by it in living a sane and purposeful existence.

This book explores the nature and the foundation of self-knowledge and shows how to approach the problem of attaining it. In this attempt, it makes frequent references to the upanishadic thoughts and the teachings of J. Krishnamurti. Every generation has to be reminded of this ancient wisdom.

The quest of a complete experiential knowledge of the self is absolutely central to Indian spirituality. And, it is rightly thought that without knowing the nature and the destiny of the self, we can form no idea of any fundamental goals and purposes in life, since the latter exist only for the self in the first place. We can only move around willy-milly in the world pursuing the goals thrown up by the environment in one's present social milieu, but without any ultimate meaning or significance or intrinsic goodness. Self-knowledge, thus, imparts direction and rationale to an otherwise chaotic pursuit of the desire to be, in a largely chaotic social world. All the same, this book is written with the insight, that self-knowledge should not be placed in some esoteric realm of meditation and mysticism. It must begin with the day-to-day understanding of human existence in relationship. The individual must come to realize that both in his mind and in his body, he is constituted of the material in his natural and social environment. The entire conceptual repertoire of the mind and the biological material of his body do not come under "private property". The individual is constantly nourished, both in his mind and body, by the "outside". And in this sense he is inseparable from the whole. In the ultimate analysis, his individuality is no more than that of a 'wave in the ocean'.

**Contents and Sample Pages**