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Fairfield scholars Thomas and Linda Egenes collaborated with prolific author Kumuda Reddy, M.D., of Niskayuna, New York, to produce a beautiful new book, All Love Flows to the Self: Eternal Stories from the Upanishads (Samhita Productions, $24.95). This 170-page volume contains 12 simple tales adapted from Sanskrit.
At the end of each tale, a Vedic expression concisely describes the story's lesson. Most of these Sanskrit quotations are from translations of the Upanishads by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Also included are mahavakyas (great sayings). As the book's introduction explains, "Maharishi describes these sayings as the final strokes of knowledge from the teacher, which fully enlighten the student who is ready to receive them. . . ." The Upanishad in which each story appears is cited, and a glossary reveals the meaning and pronunciation of Sanskrit words contained in the text.
All three authors have impressive credentials. A former faculty member and anesthesiologist at Albany Medical College, Dr. Reddy directs the Maharishi Vedic Medical Center of Upstate New York. She's written many books on the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health and many children's picture books based on the Vedic tradition of India.
Tom has a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sanskrit literature from the University of Virginia. He began teaching Sanskrit in 1982 while writing his doctoral dissertation on Maharishi's understanding of Vedic literature. Tom directs Maharishi University of Management's M.A. in SCI program. His textbook Introduction to Sanskrit is used in universities all over the world.
Linda teaches literary journalism at MUM. With Dr. Reddy, she co-authored For a Blissful Baby, and next year, Iowa State University Press will publish Linda's nonfiction book Visits with the Amish.
Recently, I interviewed Linda and Tom.
CFJ: What are the Upanishads?
Tom: The Upanishads are the aspect of the Vedic Literature that says that the individual is cosmic. They're the part that emphasizes that we are all part of an eternal, infinite continuum of life, known in scientific terms as the unified field.
The Upanishads are not just stories in books but structures of our own intelligence, and can be directly experienced in the simplest state of our own awareness--pure consciousness. Even though these stories describe the comings and goings of people and events, at a more subtle level of understanding, these stories describe the dynamics of consciousness found within everyone.
CFJ: The book's introduction indicates there are 108 Upanishads.
Tom: The Upanishads are one huge body of literature that contains 108 books. There are very few stories that are concrete, so one has to know the Upanishads well to find them--they are the ones that are told as stories in India. Much of the Upanishads is very abstract, about the realization of the Self.
CFJ: Did you base your stories on original translations?
Linda: Yes, but we adapted them to make them work better as stories.
CFJ: How did the three of you select stories to include?
Linda: Dr. Reddy chose the stories that are most well-known, that she had heard from her grandmother as she grew up. We also chose stories that Maharishi had told over the years. These particular stories are good for the whole family, including children, because they are concrete as well as abstract. Children can understand them, and adults gain additional layers of meaning every time they read them.
CFJ: Do you have a recommended age range for All Love Flows to the Self?
Linda: Because the Upanishads contain such deep levels of truth, they are true for all ages. Even a very young child will sense the truth in these stories. And we went out of our way to use simple language so that children could enjoy them. They are best read aloud, like poetry.
CFJ: How do you feel about the finished project?
Linda: We're thrilled with the finished project, especially because Shepley Hansen provided a glorious cover and design that reflects the inner treasures of the Upanishads. Also we deeply appreciate the photographs taken in India, mostly by Mark Petrick, and also by Michael Cain--they really enhance the book.
CFJ: What was the best part of working on this book?
Tom: The best part was seeing in a very deep way how Maharishi has brought out the main themes of the Vedic Literature. He has gone to the heart of the knowledge and revealed its truth for all generations.
Linda: The project fit into my goals of making Maharishi's Vedic Knowledge available to people throughout the world.
For more information or to buy copies of the book, contact Samhita Productions at (888) 603-9171 or <www.allhealthy family.com>.
