Emerson on Eternity

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I am proud of being privileged to put forth my views on Emerson on Eternity, a book which presents a refreshingly new interpretation on Emerson's concept of eternity. The author of the book, my most respected teacher, Dr Sethi has successfully explained the concepts of eternity, immortality and reincarnation, forming the crux of Emerson's writings which is conspicuously absent in Judeo-Christian philosophy. The leader of the Transcendental Movement, a part of the cultural renaissance sweeping the entire American nation, Emerson was profoundly influenced by the Hindu scriptures. Dr Sethi has admirably explored this link of Emerson with Hinduism and has also been able to draw a parallel between Emerson's concept of time and space with that of their scientific notions, thus proving that science and philosophy become one and synonymous while arriving at the ultimate truth.

Numerous books, dissertations and articles have been written on the influence of India on Emerson's thoughts and writings. So writing another book on the same topic becomes enormously difficult Where critics and scholars have focused attention on aspects like romantic idealism philosophic utopianism, mystical aspirations and metaphysical quest of Emerson which taken together, do not make him a spiritual leader of the time Dr. Khagendra Sethi's book makes a marked difference by studying Emerson's vision on eternity-- a concept beyond time and space--- as much influenced by the Hindu scriptures. Dr. Sethi's notable contribution on the intellectual exchanges and their influence of both the countries-- America and India is unique in its own way.

While writing the Preface to this book I'm very much reminded of the house of Emerson at Concord, Massachusetts and the broken cottage of Thoreau at Walden which gave a new direction to the Transcendental Movement of America. This work is particularly enlightening because it reveals Emerson as a spiritual leader of the time and explores the emergence of a cultural Renaissance in America spearheaded by Indian philosophy This book opens up new avenues of the ongoing intellectual exchanges and cross-cultural dialogues between the two nations.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages