The Cover Design

Conceived by the author himself, it signifies the return of the protagonist to himself after his adventures in search of what gives substance to “being”. The return to the “cave of freedom” of the unstable unit of life is represented appropriately by a fractal – a geometric representation of a non-linear differential equation of a chaotic pendulum known as the “Japanese attractor”.

Introduction:

Bodhi had always been there deep inside him, like a throbbing light. Vivek grew up talking to him, yet not getting to know him, really. The light never stopped throbbing, though it was feeble at times. When he went places, fell in love, let down those whom he loved, got enmeshed in fabulous business deals, or lapsed into looking beyond the end of nowhere, Vivek felt Bodhi's company, now intensely creative, now excruciating.

Bodhi, Vivek's other 'I' was always there. Vivek's travels -- straddling countries and continents from Parur to Paris to Palm Springs -- constitute a travel into himself. This is a chronicle of that spiritual odyssey, recapturing its contours, not much more -- making a fateful attempt to grasp its essence. The essence is, essentially, elusive. Its exasperation, runs through this blend of fact,fantasy and fiction.

There has been an effort to redefine “being” throughout history. What was done by Plato, Hegel, Heidigger and Sartre, which are truths contemporary to their context. The book is about re-invention of that truth in the modern era.

The Excerpts from “The cave of Freedom ”:

The beginning was the question, it was nothing like the ultimate poser over which Vivek was to find himself ruminating, a long time later; nothing like the unanswerable inquiry that preoccupied him for a lifetime.

It was indeed the original question, but bereft of the import he gave it in his adult years. It was the inaugural word, as early Asian thinkers believed. It was the earliest sound like musicologists assumed.

It was nothing of that kind when he first heard it. He was too young to fathom its complexity. What he was to project as a primordial question, long years later, came as three simple words. He spoke them himself, more like child’s reflex action. “Who are you?’ Vivek asked not expecting a reply. Hardly realizing that these three words he had disgorged, would perhaps take a lifetime to reply. There was no reaction from the shadowy figure gliding beside the car. It seemed more like an apparition; it had to be…like a shadow without an object…

Pam reacted sharply. “Your future, not ours. If you are not moving in now, there is no more me in your life..anymore. Let us stop playing games, now. If you think you have a brighter future, staying where you are, just because you have a boss who is slave driving you by bloating your ego, you may stay, till what do you say..kingdom come.”Vivek was cautious not to react to the taunt. Blood was rushing to his head. He took a deep breath and said calmly, “Pam you are giving in to your emotions….”

“There are subtle energies that are acting on you, sometimes favoring you and at other times giving you an unwanted growth in your healthy brain. You are too gross to recognize them. But there are parts of your body that recognize them. If only you take time off from your mad rush, to listen to them…. It is much the same way that horses and dogs can sense subtle changes in nature. which human beings, with their pre-occupations cannot.”

“………..They all stuck out like sore thumbs in the eyes of the organized society, yet were shining beacons of spiritual wisdom. For example, how can the organizers of society view these poems of Rumi, except as a clarion call to spred chaos.?”

Beyond our ideas of right and wrong,
There is a world where I will meet you,
When the soul lies down on the grass,
The world is too full to talk about.

“But if the law makers were afraid of the spread of indiscipline …..another verse of the same poet.”

I looked hard to bring a gift to you,
What is the point of bringing gold?
.…………………………diamonds?
So I brought you a mirror,
Look at yourself and see me”

With this kind of wisdom, with the re-iteration of “aham-Brahmasmi”….where is chaos?

It was a glorious day in spring……He would walk down through the Hyde Park, every evening. He made it a point to check out the public speakers in the park………Nothing seemed to be interesting that particular evening, as he walked past the speakers’ corner to what was his favourite spot, he sat down and enjoyed the peace. He started meditating. As he sat there drinking in the tranquility, he was not aware of the passage of time. When he came out of its spell and slowly opened his eyes, there, in front of him was the smiling countenance of his dear friend.

“You have earned the right to know all the secrets of nature. But let me warn you that I have nothing new to teach you. I can only remind you of what you have forgotten. The line seemed vaguely familiar to Vivek