Advait

1. Advait Authors of Light Books help gain wisdom and insight. They have the power to transform our very being. The right book helps go inwards , bringing to us the words of the best that this Earth has seen. Given the plethora of options available, it is an onerous task to choose a few books that provide not only knowledge but help in transforming the way one perceives reality and himself. The distinguishing feature of a worthy book is that it takes us not to an idea or an imagination, but brings us to ourselves. The attempt has been to choose books that have a great power to quieten, sharpen and sublimate the human intellect. Sitting close to you, this document shall serve as a quiet reminder about an alternate - real- world waiting to be discovered. June The Parables of Chuang Tzu : Chuang Tzu The Way of Zen : Alan Watts HsinHsin Ming : Sosan Tao Te Ching : Lao Tsu July The Story of Philosophy: Will Durant Man and Superman : G. B . Shaw Man’s search for meaning: Victor E Frankl The power of Now : Eckhart Tolle Advait Life-Education

2. Advait The Little Prince: Antoine de Saint-Exupery Simply, directly, the Little Prince makes several profound and inquisitive observations about life and human nature. This book requires a child's faith, acceptance and willingness to make a complete suspension of disbelief and coming closer to philosophy than to anything else. The Idiot:Fyodor Dostoevsky A simple man, making his way in a society that is concerned with materialism and cut-throat avarice, will be considered a childish idiot for valuing honesty, kindness, and the simple things in life. The ending is a shocker and sends a plaintive message- that in a crazy world, a sanatorium is the only place for a saint. Jonathan Livingston Seagull: Richard Bach Jonathan is sick and tired of the boring life in his seagull clan. He rather experiments with new, always more daring flying techniques. Since he doesn't fit in, the elders expel him from the clan. So he sets out to discover the world beyond the horizon in quest for wisdom. A magical fable! Howard Roark, the individualistic young architect chooses to struggle in obscurity rather than compromise his artistic and personal vision. Roark is Rand's embodiment of the human spirit, and his struggle represents the triumph of individualism over collectivism. The Fountainhead: Ayn Rand JANUARY S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 अद्वैत 

3. Advait अद्वैत  Madame Bovary: Gustave Flaubert The story of a woman caught between two worlds--one of the dull and stultifying country lives that she leads with her husband, and the world of high romance and love: a fantasy. The rich denouement holds insights for all who are caught in dilemmas. FEBRUARY S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Death of Ivan Ilyich:Leo Tolstoy During an interval in a trial, several legal professionals converse in a private room. The Death of Ivan Ilyich is an attack on the smug satisfaction of a middle class population, who lives artificial lives. Tolstoy at his literary best! Lust for Life: Irving Stone A chillingly unforgettable experience, not to be missed! Van Gogh is brought into vivid focus, living and breathing from page to page. No matter how many times the book is read the ending never fails to deliver an emotional whollopthat leaves the reader in tears! Listen, Little Man !: Wilhelm Reich A great physician's quiet talk to each one of us, the common man, the Little Man. It is about what the Little Man does to himself; how he suffers and rebels. How, wherever he gains power as a "representative of the people," he misuses this power and makes it crueler than the power it has supplanted.

4. Advait अद्वैत RaagDarbari :ShrilalShukla One of the best written social–political satire in any Indian language. The poignant and cutting satire events is so vivid it remains forever with the reader. The events have been described in most hilarious yet factual manner underlining the clarity and intent of understanding. Nehru brings alive an ancient culture that has seen the flowering of the world's great traditions of philosophy, science and art, and almost all its major religions. The Discovery of India: Jawaharlal Nehru A deep, insightful understanding of the glorious intellectual and spiritual tradition of India. MARCH S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Shekhar-EkJivani: Agyeya “Satyakitnanagnahaiaurnagntakitnisatya” Story of a child who is one among many siblings, neglected. It is about innocence, experience and clarity. It is about taking pride in ‘who you are’. Extremely potent in terms of the directness of the content and language. Siddhartha: Hermann Hesse The young man is not satisfied with the comforts of a respectable, lukewarm life. The authority of scriptures and gurus he wants not. His solitary un-ending journey takes him through several worlds, and helps him find himself.

5. Thus Spake Zarathustra: Fredrick Neitsche A masterpiece of literature as well as philosophy! The author addresses the problem of how to live a fulfilling life in a world without meaning and explains that the solution lies in the idea of eternal recurrence, which he calls "the highest formula of affirmation that can ever be attained." Advait The Prophet: Kahlil Gibran A collection of philosophical and spiritual essays. Gibran’s musings covers sprawling topics such as love, marriage, work, buying and selling, crime and punishment, etc. Each essay reveals deep insights into the impulses of the human heart and mind. Tales of the Dervishes : Idries Shah A collection of diamonds. Incredibly well-crafted, multifaceted likely to endure in the manner of the Koran and the Bible. Challenges our intellectual assumptions at almost every point. Full of wit, sophistication, irony and commonsense , completely absorbing. APRIL S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 The Book of Mirdad: Mikhail Naimy Can you see the beauty of great literature, like The Book of Mirdad? If you cannot see it, you are blind. I have come across people who have not even heard the name of The Book of Mirdad. If I am to make a list of the great books, that will be the first. But to see the beauty of it you will need a tremendous discipline. अद्वैत

6. Advait Gitanjali: Rabindranath Tagore Divine songs of Union with the Supreme. The book is a collection of poems in which Rabindranath Tagore celebrates the celestial union of two lovers. The poems are often referred to as a mystical expression in the same class as Kabir, Rumi and Chaitanya. The beauty and power is such that the poems are read, and the reader is dissolved. Songs of Nanak: Guru Nanak Let mercy be the cotton, contentment the thread/Continence the knot and truth the twist// Oh priest! if you have such a thread, Do give it to me. It will not wear out, nor get soiled, nor be burnt, nor lost. Says Nanak, blessed are those who go about wearing such a thread Full of love, devotion and untainted faith. The Songs of Kabir: Kabir Kabir’slifestyle and thoughts unaffected by the prejudices of the society make us realize how direct and simple everything is. How society is out to tarnish the innocence everywhere. His words are innocent and non-commanding. The purity and beauty of these dohas hold us in awe of the greatness of the individual. There is Bhakti, there is Gyan, and there is more- a sense of stark rebellion against all orthodoxies and falsenesses. Masnavi: JalaluddinRumi Widely recognized as the greatest Sufi poem ever written, and has been called "the Koran in Persian.“ In order to convey his message of divine love and unity he threaded together entertaining stories and penetrating homilies. Drawing from folk tales as well as sacred history, Rumi's poem is light as well as spiritually profound, in deep surrender as well as in upright rebellion. MAY S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 अद्वैत

7. Advait JUNE S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 The parables of Chuang Tzu: Chuang Tzu One of the most beautiful parable that anybody has ever told, it goes very deep into the human nature. It perceives the Tao- the Way of Nature. Why do we go on carrying ideals in the mind? Why are we not enough as we are? Just at this moment, why are we not like gods? The way of Zen: Alan Watts It presents an understandable, inspirational and spiritually rewarding exploration of Zen Buddhism-"a way of liberation" that in Alan Watts words may be one of the most precious gifts of Asia to the world. Since Watts' time a very few books have been able to muster erudition and clarity that have kept this book in the readers' hands decade after decade. Hsin Hsin Ming: Sosan Sosan is considered the third Zen Master. He says “If you wish to see the truth then hold no opinions”. His writings are a treasure for those who seek ‘the great way’. Terse, direct and enigmatic, the words have the power to quieten and restore the mind. Tao Te Ching: Lao Tzu He was most unwilling to write this book. He had to write because his disciples wouldn’t allow him otherwise. The first thing he says here is that the Truth cannot be told. Full of seemingly paradoxical statements, it is a gem of religion. अद्वैत

8. Advait Man's Search for Meaning: Victor. E. Frankl The Story of Philosophy: Will Durant The most engaging writer of Western intellectual history, Will Durant breathes life into philosophers and their ideas. He is colorful, witty, and above all, informative. Seventy-some years after its first printing, The book stands as one of the best of its kind. How delightful to read a psychological work that addresses life's issues as most people understand them! The most influential works of psychiatric literature since Freud. A compelling introduction to the most significant psychological movement of our day. Man and Superman: G. B. Shaw JULY S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A comedy and a philosophy, this is a four-act drama, . Two topics that jump out most frequently in this are: hell and enjoyment. He angers both the proponents and opponents of Christian "myths" and offers possible solutions to appease both sides. Shaw has outdone himself in this masterpiece. His ideas, even where they appear comic lead us into the concept of the purpose of evolution and the height of consciousness possible. The Power of Now: Eckhart Tolle Tollehoped it would "play its part in the transformation of human consciousness,“ as a catalyst to those ready for a radical inner transformation. अद्वैत

9. Advait Eckhart’s writings: Meister Eckhart “When I preach, I usually speak of detachment and say that a man should be empty of self and all things’’. His reasoned arguments challenge falsenesses, even as he is accused of heretical intent. Meister Eckhart’s writings are a collection of his unusual sermons in the vernacular during disarray among the clergy and monastic disorders. Declarations: Al-HillajMansoor A compilation of declarations of Al-HillajMansoor , recorded by his followers and friends.It was Mansoor who gave the declaration AnalḤaqq "I am The Truth“, and was brutally murdered for proclaiming so. He believed in Union with divine and that God is within him. His mystical statements have the power to deeply stir the reader and wonder in Supreme awe. AUGUST S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Dialogues of Socrates: Plato Plato’s writings and works are generally found in the form of dialogues where the characters argue a topic by asking questions from each other. In Dialogues of Socrates, Socrates appears as a central character who expresses his views on various topics. The famous defence of Socrates before he was poisoned too is to be found here. This book is believed to be only remaining record of Socrates’ teachings. Fragments: Heraclitus “If you do not expect the unexpected, you will not find it ; for it is hard to be sought and difficult”. The Greek saint speaks in a manner that is Upanishadic, talks of life as an ever-changing flow, and has a deep contempt of the way in which humanity lives. He believes in the unity of opposites and looks insightfully at polarities and duality. अद्वैत

10. Advait Book of Life: JidduKrishnamurti Krishnamurti as a master takes the seeker through a process of daily meditations. The day one starts with January 1st ,the first step he suggests is ‘Listen with ease’ and by December 31st he takes you to a stage, ‘Generosity of heart is the beginning of meditation I Am That: Sri Nisargadatta “I am neither devotee nor the object of devotion. I am devotion itself”. The profound meaning in the teachings of Sri NisargadattaMaharajhas helped the spiritual seekers all over the world find a new meaning in the existence. I am That is a compilation of talks of Sri Maharaj with his followers and spiritual seekers. Who am I?: Ramanna Maharishi According to Ramanna ,“Who am I?” is the only way of Self-Enquiry. Deep Meditation on this question resolves conflicts related to existence and real self. As a reply to a series of questions , he says that this Self-Enquiry is not a mere repetition of a mantra but way to Self-Awareness. SEPTEMBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Dynamic Meditations: Osho Osho says that Science is the ultimate value. He divides Science into Outer and Inner Science. In this book, Osho has given meditation techniques for Inner Science. It has a description of morning meditation that opens body and breathing. अद्वैत

11. Advait SaamkhyaYogKarika: IshwarKrishna The Saamkhya system classifies all reality into Purusha and Prakriti. It maintains an intermingled duality between consciousness (Purusha) and matter(Prakriti). This book is one of the most illuminating philosophical texts written in any language in any time. Bhakti Sutra: Narada Sage Narada, the man always carrying an ektara with him, always singing and dancing , devoting his songs to the Ultimate. This book is a compilation of devotional verses in which Narada explains the perfect stage of devotion; the steps to attain this stage and the nature of selfless love . Gorakhnath’s Writings: Gorakhnath Through Gorakhnath a new religion was born. The man who taught – Die O Yogi Die, for its beautiful to die. The Guru who taught that death is divine. His writings are a compilation of his songs through which he spread the message of meditation and samadhi. Yog Sutra: Patanjali Yog, yet another path to reach the divine. In Patanjali’s words, Yog is a process of quietening the mind. These ‘sutras’ or threads are terse , stating precisely essential points and techniques. As Yog means Union, these sutras teach the practitioner of Yoga how to achieve Union with the Supreme. OCTOBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 अद्वैत

12. Advait Isa Upanishad: Vedic Sages Uttered by authors who did not bother to record their names, The Upanishads are probably the earliest and the most sublime flight of human consciousness. The word Isa means divine. This Upanishad is significant for its riddles on the nature of the Supreme. One of the description reads , “It moves and It moves not; It is far and the same is near; It is within all this and It is also outside this”. AvadhootGita: Dattatreya AvadhootGita is a song of a mendicant ,it is a rendition of a free soul where the he claims that it is he who is eternal and all-pervasive. It is the bliss of a realized and liberated man which is poured and compiled in this book . There are very few documents that can match the stark sense of freedom and liberation that the Avdhoot epitomizes. It pierces right through the heart of ignorance. NOVEMBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 AshtavakraGita: Ashtavakra This book is a document of dialogue between the Master Ashtavakra and King Janaka , ruler of Mithila. In this book the master helps his disciple understand the meaning of liberation and how one’s true identity can be found by recognizing oneself as pure existence. It is probably the finest and purest document on non-duality. VivekChudamani: Adi Shankar Shankar is the one who systemised the Advait thought and clarified it for all. “Brahman is the only truth, the world is unreal, and there is ultimately no difference between Brahman and individual self”. This gives an idea his of teachings in one of his most important works. In this comprehensive work, he explains the nature of Atman and the ways to know . . अद्वैत

13. Advait BhagwadGita: ShriKrishna The song of the divine, the song of ultimate being. A self-contained guide to life. Krishna explains Arjun the nature of the Self and teaches him different ways to the ultimate state of realization. BhagwadGita is also known as ‘Upanishad of Upanishads’. The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus Christ A collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus. Earthly and divine, lovable and venerable, these teachings place a high level of emphasis on ‘purity of heart’ The Sermon includes Beatitudes like “ they that mourn: for they shall be comforted “, that hunger now: for ye shall be filled”. DECEMBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Dhammapada : GautamBuddha One of the most important Buddhist texts. The verses in this book attributed directly to the Buddha. Enunciating the ‘Dhamma’, he offers explanations to true nature of existence and shows the path to liberation. Koran: HazratMohammad The Koran literally means “the recitation”. It is a beautiful compilation of teachings revealed through angel Gabriel from God to Hazrat Mohammad. A book of divine guidance and direction for all humanity. अद्वैत

14. Advait Life-Education Advait Life-Education is a movement  towards an evolved, integral and sublime human being through meaningful life-education. Advait seeks to promote clarity, integrity and wisdom among students and professionals by addressing the way they are trained or taught. To this effect, Advait harnesses the power of literature and other works. Advait has been active in conducting Student Development Programs (SDP), Faculty Development Programs (FDP) and Management Development Programs (MDP). More than 40,000 individuals have so far benefited from Advait’s training and development programs. W: www.advait.org.in | L: 0120-4249475 | F: 0120-4249474 | G-39, Sector-63, NOIDA(U.P) Education Education is an exploration of the external world and the Self. It is a process of elevation of consciousness that mutates a biological-intellectual being into a realised Self.  Education encompasses learning specific skills, but also something less tangible but far more profound: the invocation of self-awareness, wisdom, a holistic perspective. While the prevalent education systems of today are well-designed to offer knowledge-based training, they lack in addressing the individual’s need for wholesome development and oneness with the world. This unaddressed need can be seen as a spiritual, mystic or simply as an essentially human need. It is the individual’s need to be better connected to herself, to understand the totality of the cosmos around and within her, to see events and relations in perspective; and to grow as a complete and conflict-free individual.