Who reads these days? No, that is not a complaint. Rather it is the statement of a fact. Indeed very few people read currently. Let us not get in to what people tend to read because it would then be obvious that mostly it would be the DIY, that is, 'do it yourself', books of very many types. In brief, both as an activity and its content, reading seems to have taken a beating!
What made me make this observation? Well, there is a group online which consists of encouraging the devotees to listen to the Dnyaneshwari. Incidentally, the Dnyaneshwari is not at all a simplistic religious stotra kind of treatise. It is a great explanation of the Geeta, and the entire Vaidic philosophy.
This simply superb philosophical discussion, incidentally, is contained in the most wonderful poetry. Very few people realise it, but Sant Dnyaneshwar was both, a superb poet and a great communicator. The kind of language he uses, the simple but profound images he provides to explain extremely complex philosophical ideas are absolutely unbelievable.
Reading the Dnyaneshwari time and again is an enriching experience. Now this group has a good idea. If recited nicely, at least people would hear it. The question is if it would 'reach' the listeners. When we listen, our mind inevitably wanders.
When we read, on the contrary, we have to pay more attention. There is more a symbiosis and a synergy of perception and cognition on our part. Naturally, more of our sense organs, eyes, of course, touch of the page/the book, the unique fragrance of the book inspire our brain better, right?
Yes, reading is superior. Anyways, however, something is better than nothing. There would, moreover, be a sense of regularity which is wonderful. If you cannot read it, at least listen to it, is the mantra!
Pratima@Reading makes one wise!
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