Vital Connections

By Raj Krishan Srivastava

Book by This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0834804085
• ISBN13: 9780834804081
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Weatherhill
• Length: 224 Pages

Customer Reviews

Life oriented philosophy

With all the hurdles in economics, politics, social and psychological, the human mind has become "diseased". The edtor of this anthology has collected various articles from world scholars that comment on Pandurang Athavale's "system" called Swadhyaya, self-study.The commentarors give a concise and articulant analysis of how to elevate human life. We maintain that we have become enriched due to technological advancement, such as computers, but little have we progressed when it comes to humanitarian needs.Today, we see distances betweens husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, parents and children, and unethical behavior in the workplace. Pandurang Athavale brings ancient wisdom to modern times which can be applied to build man's character.If humans are different from animals, then an ethical life is needed, one in which our thinking skills are used for not merely external (monetary) gains but internal development.According to the scholars in the text, man can achieve internal bliss through the concept of bhakti that Pandurang Athavale expounds in his life as well as to others. Bhakti here is an understanding that God exists and exists in all of life. With such a notion, a person's life can transform, knowing that God resides within him or her. This book does an exceptional job of giving an introduction to the Swadhyaya "movement" (I dare to call it a movement. It is really an understanding, a way of life.).

A Humanistic Approach

Vital Connections gives a preliminary overview of Swadhyaya (a Sanskrit term that translates directly as self-study). Swadhyaya in some form is a ressurection of the ancient wisdom that guides human life to achieve self-realization of the Absolute Power of the Universe (God). Though Swadhyaya originates in India, it actually initiates in the human heart with the concept that all life exist due to the an "indwelling God". Swadhyaya is not limited to the Indian community but all sects of life.The authors give their perception of the Swadhyaya activity which strives to awaken man's asmita (self-respect, confidence and resistance).

The Work

According to the Pandurang Shastri Athavale (Dadaji), life does hold meaning, but needs to be introspected thoroughly.The Vedas and the Bhagavad-Geeta of the Hindu scriptures can provide a path that helps lead to this. They are often referred to as the "Bible of Humanity."Vital Connections gives a thorough and in-depth view of Swadhyaya and its impact on the lives of countless. It is worth reading.

Excellent book on Swadhyay communities and concept

An excellent book summarising the works of the Swadhyay communities based on socioeconomics, philoshophical and indwelling god concepts. A highly successfully practised concept in India which should be applied to downtrodden communities in USA to bring about major transformation in them.

Great collection of the finest essays on Swadhyay

The book introduces the Swadhyay in a beautiful way. The achievements of founder of Swadhyay Parivaar, Shri Pandurang Shastri Athavale:1. Winner of the biggest monetary award in the world Templeton Prize in New York in 1997 for his unique innovations in the field of Spirituality2. Winner of Megsaysay Award in Philippines, (which is like Nobel Prize of Asia) for Community Leadership in 19963. Winner of Padma-Vibhushan Award (2nd highest civilian award) from Indian Govt. in 19994. More than 2 Crore active followers5. More than 1 lakh villages of AP, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and all over India transformed economically, socially and spiritually based on principles of Gita.6. The Swadhyay work now running in about 100 countries around the world including USA, Canada, UK, France, Holland, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Fiji, Surinaam, Trinidad, Beharin, Dubai and many others.