(Letter to an young student of philosophy)
For beginners in thought, philosophy is not a simple matter because philosophy is an abstract subject. To learn it, we require intellectual training and personal vigour. Usually, we should get a little introduction to all areas of thought before moving on to philosophy.
In particular, my philosophy classes are for those with some literary-philosophical interest and basic training. Couldn’t a philosophy class be like that? I keep it as direct, simple, and captivating as possible. But still, it has an underlying complexity. Students should imbibe it with their intuition and intellect.
But even if you’re a total newcomer, like you say, a little attention can lead to an interesting start. That beginning was not an ordinary thing. You are entering a huge world. Your entire worldview is about to change. Your entire thought pattern is about to change. Your own character is about to undergo a transformation. A wonderful thing that will last your lifetime is about to begin.
Entering a new art or a new area of knowledge is always very challenging. For example, when we start listening to Carnatic music on a regular basis, we may doubt our ability to hear the richness of that music and hesitate to start. Many people stop permanently at that starting point.
But those who tore away that first block of hesitation would embark on a journey. For example, if one goes to Thiruvaiyaru Thyagaraja Utsavam, he will hear at least one hundred Thyagaraja songs within three days. After that, whenever he listens to a song by Thyagaiyar, he easily gets into it. This way, you can easily immerse yourself in the world of music.
Sometimes the introduction happens by accident. A friend of mine came from the Thiruvaiyaru music festival just to assist Attur Ravivarma. He was a Malayali working in Thanjavur. Today, he is a musician himself.
Similarly, Rafeeq Babu, a friend who drove us on our 2008 trip to India, heard me talking about temple sculptures during the trip. At first, he thought that I had some mental problems. He imagined that we were some kind of mysterious gang. After 20 days, he fell in love with it, and he started visiting temples. Today, he is an expert on Indian sculpture. His profession is to show sculptures to tourists.
Whether you realize it or not, you are now a part of philosophy. Recall what the class learned. Read the notes again. Put in some effort. The scene becomes clearer in subsequent classes. In a year, you will be amazed at ‘where have we come from?’
In Indian life, we don’t learn anything beyond the age of 20. We keep our brains lazy .Over time, we become more susceptible to diseases like depression. Lazy brains make our bodies unhealthy. To overcome it, you must put your brain to work. “Horse whip your brain!’ .I wrote once. as
As we approach old age, this ‘brain sludge’ squeezes us tight. It appears that we can never come out. Those who actually want to leave the cell are only one in a million. But if we try, we can. We need proper training to achieve that empowerment. We organize our unified wisdom events for that purpose.
Your mistake was bringing the son. Philosophy is a field that requires total engagement, dedication, and commitment. Don’t treat it like a vacation. Do not try to learn it by mixing it with other tasks.
Your problem is chronic cerebral palsy. It must be overcome. Yes, horsewhip the brain. It is beneficial for the mind and body. The language of your letter is evidence that you can think critically. You won’t even need six months—not only to read seriously, but also to write.
Philosophy is an ancient goddess; those who dare to offer his head will be blessed immediately.
Jeyamohan
