The Realisation of Life by Rabindranath Tagore is a set of essays written in the form of a conversation between the soul and the reader, rather than a conventional collection of essays. Tagore uses many different styles: the forms of philosophies, poetry and spiritual counselling. The overall theme is about living a life that is aware of and appreciates beauty in other people and in nature and understands how everything in nature is connected.
What is quietly radical about this book is that it is integrated with the author’s own life—his intellectual thoughts include emotion, and those thoughts inform his actions. Instead, he brings his thoughts to the reader through everyday experiences, from observing the way a child looks to being quiet while watching a field at dusk. Tagore often presents his thoughts as aphorisms and will then elaborate on them with beautiful descriptions. The rhythm of the essays is similar to that of a spoken sermon rather than a formal essay; the format creates an emotional connection between the reader and Tagore’s ideas. Tagore achieves this connection by writing as both an intelligent thinker and a kind friend to his readers.
The idea of interconnectedness is Tagore’s recurring theme. He argues that the way we realise things is not a private victory, but rather, it is about knowing how we connect to others and the world. This idea counters modern-day individualism and the driven capitalist society we live in. Tagore’s view of the world suggests that we are in reciprocal relationships with others; art becomes a way to engage with each other spiritually, labour is a means of giving back, and education creates a path of connection. This view of relationships is both hard and freeing for readers raised with simpler ideas.
During the 20th century Rabindranath Tagore became famous for his artistic vision, which differed from previous artistic traditions. Tagore’s works were very focused on how he viewed life, and he used the process of creation to share that view with the reader. He depicted his understanding of morality through various means, such as nature. To Tagore, nature was not just a backdrop; it was an integral component of life itself, a teacher, and an expression of how people perceive their lives. For example, he used seasons, water, and geographic areas such as the countryside to represent the many different morals that exist. Tagore’s work also used the senses to make abstract ideas, like morals, tangible. These methods allowed him to present his philosophical ideas in a way that the reader could experience rather than just read about.
Modern readers of Tagore’s work are fascinated by his negotiations between traditional and modern belief systems. In his essays, Tagore expresses admiration for the creativity found in Western culture and warns of the potential spiritual barrenness that may accompany the unbridled growth of industrialisation and intellectualism. Rather than retreating into nostalgia, Tagore advocates for a culture that retains its roots yet is bold enough to free itself from narrow thinking and inventiveness. Thus, we can view his essays as early-humanistic responses to the anxieties arising from the rapid changes in our society.
When it comes to engaging with the written word, Tagore offers much to excite readers. Although there are sections of his writing that are dense and complex enough to require a second or third read for full understanding, those sections are counterbalanced by an abundance of clarity and conversational simplicity found throughout many of his essays. The result is a book that provides ample opportunity for growth and development through patient reading and will bring significant rewards.
What type of reader would benefit from the Indigo Project material? Anyone who is interested in living in a thoughtful, conscious way — artists, philosophers, religious/spiritual practitioners, educators, etc. — and those who may think that to “realise one’s life” might mean paying attention to the journey rather than looking for answers. The Indigo Project Material is a guidebook for living in this world. It encourages you to take time to reflect on the ordinary to find the extraordinary. If you want to find a book that will gently inspire you to become aware of how you see your life on a daily basis, you have found it in Tagore’s Realization of Life.
