Who are we? is a semi-autobiographical account of life principles by an Indian author who is an aerospace engineer by profession and a student of Sanaatana Dharma by choice. When I first saw the cover of the book, I was drawn to it. There was a definite "quick pick me up" quality, which struck me. The title: Who are we? has a universal appeal. The supplementary questions: Is there rebirth? How do we reappear? Do we have a choice in destiny? are extremely genuine. The timing of the book is uncannily appropriate. When the world is overwhelmed by random nuclear tests, unbelievable destruction by Tsunamis and Katrinas, chronic unrest in Iraq, unchecked terrorist activities, we cannot completely immerse ourselves into the panacea of gardening or scrapbooks. Our soul yearns for more...... For those who think that we are not responsible for our actions and for those who think we are accountable: Who are we? puts life into perspective almost like magic.
When we do good deeds to others and hope for a favorable outcome, should we not expect a bad outcome if we hurt another being? Why do we ignore this? One can certainly sense the sincerity in the personal observations of the author, which makes it very credulous. The Kailash/Mansarovar expedition and darshan at Prashanti Nilayam illustrated by personal anecdotes is a delight to read. The text, deeply inspired by Eastern philosophy (The Bhagavad Gita), yet easy to be reasoned and applied to the Western world. There are so many jewels embedded in the narrative, that one can pick up the book any time, anywhere and adopt a thought which can become a way of life. What is the importance of nature? Is unconditioning possible? Page 25 depicts concepts of Sharnaagati and (surrender) Shraddhaa (intense faith), which can simplify life. Page 101, explains if the desires are controlled while life energy exists, one attains freedom from rebirth. Page105 describes a new approach to look at human body as a BOSMIC system, an aggregate of 23 elements, which will delight scientists, like the innovative analogy of chemical reactions to human interactions. The comparison of a physical force field to the soul field is intriguing and inspiring. Page 80 goes beyond Einstein's E=mc2 and explains how energy, matter and life are all interchangeable. Page 129 talks about the concept of a consciotron which is a soul carrying the attached mind with the last thought. Some of us have pondered that something from the body accompanies the soul when one dies. Gandhi so rightly said: Do not worry about death, they can't take away your thoughts. Can one become God? This is a challenging thought to many of us. The Section on: Who is Sai Baba is deeply reverent; Right is right even if nobody does it, wrong is wrong even if everybody does it. In quest of our identity we all knowingly and unknowingly perform many acts of violence ........Yet the answer right in our own being, Who am I? I am Satyam, the truth that never changes, I am Shivam, The most auspicious, I am Sundaram, beauty beyond compare.
The author's penetrating intellect, utmost devotion to the scriptures and bestowed creative energy shines like a beacon throughout this incredible first effort. I am anxiously awaiting other books by Laj Utreja.