Summary of Ananda's talk on the Philosophical Approach to Knowledge 22_9_07
Author: Ananda Reddy
"Let’s concentrate on that aspect of
knowledge which leads to a Unitarian approach in learning, knowledge
and consciousness. I have specifically taken this angle because of
another factor, that is when we read SA’s Life Divine or the
Synthesis, that his been his greatest stress – consciousness of
unity. When he tells about this consciousness of unity he brings in
the idea that all this is possible with the supramental
consciousness. Mind can think and talk about unity but it becomes
really feasible only with the coming of the supramental
consciousness. That gives me a new understanding of SA, that all this
knowledge he has given us and the Yoga he has put before us, is a
means to hasten the supramental consciousness in ourselves and the
world. Had it been for the sake of knowledge per se, it would not
have been interesting. How do we invoke that consciousness? At least
to start with, let’s have this approach of unity. That is the
widest road to the supramental consciousness. Here philosophy helps
me individually always to have this comprehensive Unitarian
consciousness. We at SACAR are not against any thinker or any
religion. Keeping SA as the basis, we are consciously attempting to
embrace all the other thinkers and yogis. If I have learned anything
from the Life Divine, it is this, not to reject any thought – every
human thought and endeavor has its own validity, however temporary
it may be, it has a validity in the evolution of human
consciousness…That is how when we started UHU, I felt SACAR would
be a fitting partner.
When we speak about the philosophical
approach to knowledge, SA comes out strongly telling us, the division
we have made between philosophy and practical realization is a false
division. We have a tendency to say philosophical thought is not
practical, let’s be pragmatic. …He goes to the basic definition
of philosophy. He says we are talking about, what we have in India,
darshana, the discovery of the basic truths of all existence, which
could be the guiding principle of our own life. Philosophical
approach to knowledge is the most urgent, pragmatic and utilitarian
approach. Here especially in this environment of Auroville, we don’t
want metaphysical analysis but a principle that can guide our life,
that can dominate our life and take us into a future consciousness. …" - Ananda Reddy
Listen to the full audio
presentation at:
http://www.universityofhumanunity.org/audio_philosopical_approach_ananda