Dear Jeyamohan,
Is it possible to organize an introductory Indian philosophy event in a city within a few sessions? I am eighty years old, and I cannot travel long distances. However, I would prefer to learn in person. We can schedule a short, two-hour evening class on Indian philosophy for three days. We can set up those classes as private sessions, attended by only a few interested people, instead of requiring general participation like your speeches do. Then it will become even sharper. Can be conducted as classes.
You can arrange programs in Trichy or Chennai. Alternatively, you could arrange the program in your preferred city, Coimbatore. You can teach Indian philosophy in general, as well as Vedanta in particular.
I have been involved in spiritual classes for over 30 years. I have attended many important classes conducted by well-known personalities. Most of them are formal and prosaic. Many of them also adhere to strict conservative values, which are not practical for a thinking person. Once you acclimate to it, you’ll find it to be nothing new. Nowadays, there are only sermons and no philosophy classes. I really like the sharpness and unhesitating clarity of your speeches. I think it would be better if you conducted your classes in the cities at least once or twice. Please consider my request.
Ranganathan N
Dear Ranganathan,
I am taking your letter into consideration. We cannot conduct events that last for years in that manner. In my opinion, prolonged philosophical education cannot take place without a suitable external environment. Without ‘Forest’ there is no ‘Wisdom’.
However, we can conduct such classes as an initial step. We can conduct these classes indoors, with a maximum capacity of 50 participants. 3 hours per day. Three evenings in a row can make a decent introduction. In a home, someone has to take responsibility and perform.
But there are some conditions to be met. That’s how classes happen in Kerala.
a. Typically, we shouldn’t set up these meetings in a way that allows anyone to come, sit, and depart at their convenience. Participants must attend all classes from start to finish.
b. Education is incomplete without You are right. Philosophy differs from religion. Religion provides inspiration and guidelines. Only those who believe and practice it will benefit. Philosophy guides the student to think for himself and find his own answers. Religion is for simple souls. Philosophy is for the intellectual. Religion does not provide the clarity and thrill of learning that philosophy does. Saraswati is called ‘Tattvarupini, i.e., embodiment of philosophy. Only philosophy can make Saraswati’s full ‘darsan” possible.
Jayamohan
