A-U-M: Awakening to Reality Paperback – 25 Sept. 2015

Not for me was a present for a friend

An excellent book with deep insights from a sincere and knowledgeable author.

This is a treatise on the Mandukya Upanishad with the commentaries on it by Gaudapada and Shankacharya which together constitute the primary source of Advaita Vedanta - from the traditional standpoint of that philosophy rather than on the Teachings of Ramana Maharshi, although incontrasting such differences as there are between the two, fresh and revealing light is thrown on the Maharshi's Teachings as well.It is inevitable that a variety of Sanskrit words have been used since they have no precisely equivalent meaning in English. These are, however, explained as they are introduced and are all covered in the Glossary should readers wish to remind themselves later. The book is intended for study rather than for a casual read.This is an extremely valuable treatise, not only for the clear way it explains this fundamentally important Upanishad with its two defining commentaries but as well for the depth and extent of scholarship which has gone into it. It is highly recommended as an absolute must for serious students of Advaita Vedanta.

I have read the book twice for two reasons, firstly, it is fascinating, and secondly I needed to comprehend new concepts to which I was first time introduced. I do not mind reading it again and again for the book will unfold some hidden materials which have escaped my notice. Advaita teaches that there is only One and perceived duality is on account of ignorance. Advaita is not only a philosophy but a teaching. It is mainly concerned with revealing the Reality behind the Creation. As an aside, it tells about ways and means in the human life to realise the Reality.The book explains the teaching based on Mandukya Upanishad and Gaudapada Karrika which is a commentary on Mandykya. The Upanishad has only twelve mantras, yet it contains the core of a formidable teaching. The format of the book is reader-friendly. In the main section, it addresses the subject matter topic-wise rather than sequentially and it invariably cites reference to relevant section of the karrika. The Upanishad is transalated and explained in Appendix. The book has discussed such topics as are important and core to understand the teaching of Advaita. Unlike Introduction in any other writing, the Introduction in the book is stimulating and inspiring and exhorts a reader to embark on the journey to the summit of Advaita.The explanation on A-U-M is simply fascinating. As I read it, I felt transported to a different zone.Dennis Waite has once again proved that he is not only a qualified teacher but a writer par excellence who knows the pulse of the reader and for whom both the subject matter and the reader are important.