“Great intellectuals are sceptics,” noted Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, whose work deeply influenced the Western philosophy. While the German philosopher proposed this thought in the 19th century, his words hold true even today. During the course of our lives, we train our brains to be rational, logical and analytical. So, it comes as no surprise that we tend not to believe something which the rational mind does not validate. Thus, the gap between spirituality and science keeps widening.
Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, in his recent book Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy, manages to converge the two realms. The yogi calls upon readers to enter his mystical laboratory, don a white coat, observe oneself consciously and experiment fearlessly through yoga. He seamlessly debunks the age-old myth associated with spirituality and emphasises that nothing is to be taken on blind faith. Everything must be experienced first hand.
The book begins with Sadhguru’s autobiography. His endearing narration brings back fond memories of our own childhood. For instance, we too may have bunked school, brought stray puppies home, cried when trees were cut and wandered on our bicycles until the golden sun set. Incidentally, we too could very well be, “a jean-wearing, The Beatles-loving, diehard skeptic” like him. This nostalgic connect established with the reader, pushes even a resolute cynic to perceive colours beyond black and white. Sadhguru’s experience of enlightenment incinerates the doubting mind and incites it to marvel at the innumerable shades of grey.
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