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  THE ALCHEMY OF HAPPINESS Summarized  by T K Jayaraman IRS (Rtd)     1.    Transformation of base metals into gold is Al Chemy. But the alchemy taught in this remarkable spiritual classic is transformation of base human nature into divinity. This classic was authored by the eminent Sufi, Al-Ghazali, who was also a philosopher, jurist, theologian who lived in the 11-12th century AD. An English translation by Claud Field is available online for seekers who like to read this classic. The book has just 50 pages. It is written in a lucid style. In this post, I am giving a summary of its contents. 2  Apart from the introduction, there are eight chapters in the book. The headings of the chapters are as follows: 1) The Knowledge of Self 2) The Knowledge of God 3) The Knowledge of the World 4) The Knowledge of the next world 5) Concerning Music and dancing as aids to the religious life 6) Concerning Self-examination and the recollection of God 7) Ma...

  BROTHER LAWRENCE AND GOD CONSCIOUSNESS By T K Jayaraman IRS (Rtd) Brother Lawrence was a layperson who worked in the kitchen of a Carmelite Monastery in Paris in the 17th century. He was from a very humble back ground. He was a soldier for some time. He worked also as a footman (male servant) for some important person. He entered religious life quite late. But today he is remembered for a spiritual classic “Practice of the Presence of God”. The book based on his letters and conversations was published after his death in 1691.Remember that he was not a learned man. In fact, he was only doing kitchen work and other menial jobs in the Carmelite Monastery. All religions tell us that God is present always. He is not limited by time. The title itself makes me understand that the book is going to tell us something about God consciousness . Is it possible to lead a life in full consciousness of the Presence of God? The answer for us is the life of Brother Lawrence. He was born as Ni...

  NYAYA PHILOSOPHY- A BRIEF INTRODUCTION by Sree T K Jayaraman   There are six orthodox systems of Indian Philosophy. Nyaya is one of them. In this post; I am giving a brief introduction to the subject. This system of philosophy, far from being mere speculations, is characterized by rigorous logic. Nyaya means reasoning or method. The sage Gautama (550 BC) is the founder of the system. Nyaya Sutras are the main source of this philosophy.   What is the subject matter of Nyaya? It talks about the sources of knowledge. They are as follows: Perception Inference Comparison Testimony   Perception or Pratyaksha is the direct knowledge arising out of our relation to senses. When you actually see an object, it is a direct knowledge. The sense involved is sight. Knowledge of the object arises. The sense concerned may be internal like mind ( Manas ) Inference is the apprehension of knowledge through some mark related to the inferred object. The hill is fi...

Question raised by a lover of Ancient Wisdom    Sir  I have a question. Does Islamic law really lays down such harsh treatment of women - as stoning, public flogging, denial of education, suppression of basic human rights and freedom to women as seen in Taliban rule of Afghanistan? Does Deoband seminary endorse this? The way women are treated like animals are so sad. Can morality be enforced at the point of the bayonet? Why are Indian Muslims Maintaining silences in the face of such colossal human tragedy? Please throw light on this issue Love and regards Answer by A modern Indian Sufi Dearest loving Hon’ble Sir Pranams At the outset, I must point out that educated Muslims like M A Jinnah, Nawabzada Liaqath Ali Khan, Nawab of Hyderabad, and hundreds of Nawabs and elites like Dr. Zakir Hussain and millions of highly educated Muslims and their era is over. The Mullahs of Deoband and all seminaries of India are highly backward so also Indian Muslims, only low clas...