Introduction The jnani experience is known in its depth to very few, yet it is in easy reach. The religious language of the West revolves around devotion, prayer and service, none of which are foreign to the jnani, but none of which adequately describe the condition. It is not that the West has missed out on its share of great jnanis, but history has recast them as saints, heretics, philosophers or poets.
Although the jnani experience can be described in the negative, for example as a non-devotional spirituality, this fails to recognise that it is a vital spiritual concept in its own right. Many scientists and intellectuals for example reject religion because they are not aware that there is a great and well-trodden spiritual path that suits their temperament perfectly jnani. This section tries to convey what the jnani experience is about, and to sum up the points made so far. It is also a preparation for the longer sections in part two of this site.
|