You Are, Therefore I Am: A Declaration of Dependence

by Satish Kumar

Traces the spiritual journey of the author, as he learns to view the world as a network of multiple, diverse relationships.

René Descartes' famous maxim 'I think, therefore, I am' considers the world in terms of dualism, division and separation. Yet the Sanskrit dictum, So Hum, is well known across India but not in the West, and can be translated as 'You are, therefore I am'. A journey of the mind, You are Therefore I am examines the sources of inspiration which formed child monk, peace pilgrim, ecological activist and educator Satish Kumar's understanding of the world as a network of diverse yet interconnected relationships.

Written in four parts, the book begins with Satish's memories of conversations with his mother, his teacher and his Guru, all of whom were deeply religious. The second part recounts his discussions with the Indian sage Vinoba Bhave, J. Krishnamurti, Bertrand Russell, Martin Luther King, and E. F. Schumacher. These five great activists and thinkers encouraged him to engage with social, ecological and political issues. In the third part Satish narrates his travels in India, which have continued to nourish his mind and reconnect him with his roots. The final part brings together Satish' world-view, which is based in relationships and the connections between all things.

You are, Therefore I am is an inspiring and deeply moving look at how we can re-connect with the world and find peace within ourselves by embracing Satish' emergent world-view.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Satish Kumar is an Indian, currently living in England, who has been a Jain monk and a nuclear disarmament advocate, and is the current editor of the magazine Resurgence, founder and Director of Programmes of the Schumacher College international centre for ecological studies and of The Small School. His most notable accomplishment is a "peace walk" with a companion to the capitals of four of the nuclear-armed countries-- Washington, London, Paris and Moscow-- a trip of over 8,000 miles. He insists that reverence for nature should be at the heart of every political and social debate. Defending criticism that his goals are unrealistic, he has said, "Look at what realists have done for us. They have led us to war and climate change, poverty on an unimaginable scale, and wholesale ecological destruction. Half of humanity goes to bed hungry because of all the realistic leaders in the world. I tell people who call me 'unrealistic' to show me what their realism has done. Realism is an outdated, overplayed and wholly exaggerated concept."

Reviews

[Megan Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

i heard satish kumar on a sunday morning on the cbc-radio show about spirituality - “tapestry?. on the program kumar discussed his life as a child monk and emergence as a non-violence activist leading to his peace-oriented work spanning several decades now. part of his story included the tale of his pilgramage from india to pakistan to london to washington, dc he undertook in the 60s with a fellow peace activist. this journey was embark

[Daniel Behn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Adresses society's true malcontent. From politics and economics to spirituality, you'll find nothing more holistic than Satish Kumar.

[Richard Legault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of hearing Satish Kumar speak at UMass Dartmouth, perhaps in 2009. He is the most inspirational person I have ever met. This book follows his spiritual development from the time he was a child growing up in India. He was raised in the Jain faith, learning a great deal from his Mother. He became a Jain monk, but later left the monkhood to develop his spirituality in the wold, rather than in isolation. He met and learned from great spiritual leaders, from Vinoba (a disciple of Ghandi), to Martin Luther King Jr., to Vandana Shiva.

I found this book to be an engaging way to learn about different religious principles, particularly Jain and Buddist, expand my own spiritual development, and learn about a person I admire. Highly recommended!

[Kotchakorn Kh · Rating 5 out of 5]

สาทิศ กุมาร เล่าถึงการเดินทางทางจิตวิญญาณ ความคิด และหลักการของเขาในหนังสือเล่มนี้

ภายใต้การใช้ชีวิตในโลกทุนนิยมในเมือง และตั้งคำถามว่าการพัฒนาของตัวเรา ของสังคม และของโลกควรจะเป็นแบบไหน หนังสือเล่มนี้ได้เสนอวิธีคิด วิธีปฏิบัติที่น่าสนใจ สาทิศบอกว่า เราควรใช้ชีวิตโดยการบำรุง 3 อย่าง ค่อ “ผืนดิน วิญญาณ และสังคม”

ส่วนที่สนุกในหนังสือเล่มนี้คือการอ่านบทสนทนาระหว่างสาทิศ และผู้นำทางความคิดคนต่างๆ โดยเฉพาะช่วงที่สาทิศวิพากษ์จุดอ่อนของระบบคิดและปฏิบัติแต่ละแบบ มีตั้งแต่ นักวิทยาศาสตร์และปรัชญาตะวันตก Dr.King คนที่ทำบานร่วมกับคานที และบทแรกที่เช่าถึงบทสนทนากับแม่ก็น่าตื่นตาตื่นใจมาก

คำถามที่เหลือไว้สำหรับเรา: ระบบที่สาทิศเสนอไว้ น่าสนใจ และดีงาม แต่ว่าจะสามารถทำให้เกิดขึ้นได้อย่างไร ภายใต้ระบบทุนนิยมและโลกาภิวัตน์ที่กำลังหมุนไปนี้

[Pat Morris-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book written by a fantastic man. I was privileged to see him at Appledore book festival last year. I was entranced. I sent for this book from the library thinking it was about his life and his long walk, many years ago, to all the places- at that time- who had nuclear weapons. I got a different book than I expected. Yes there are parts about his life, but there is also his thoughts about life. Also, primarily, about others thoughts about life.
I thought I was the only one to have beliefs like the ones described. Obviously not. Fascinating. Thank you Satish Kumasi.

[Joe LaRuffa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy perspective on life. I feel reading this book has made me a better person.

On another note, this book marks my 9th of the year. Although this is now the second year in a row that I fell short of my 10 book goal, I read 4 more books than last year :) 2024 will be my reading year Ik it

[Marie-laure Moens de hase · Rating 3 out of 5]

First few and last few chapters are VERY MUCH worth it. Otherwise, long stories about his life and travels.

[Kamiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Nettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book from a really inspiring man. This book is quite a mish mash and gets a bit rambly at times but definitely worth a read.

[Annalisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for class and I am so happy I did. It is the most down to earth story of spiritual experiences I have ever read and I appreciated it for its criticisms and deep questions as well as its tales of protest and religion. Satish Kumar is someone I wish I could meet and this book helps me get a little bit closer to that point.

[Ahmed Chicktay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the worldview, that we are all interconnected and dependent on each other and our environment. I would recommend it to those who understand that we need to change the exploitative path humanity is on. This book provides an alternative path....

[Rainer Judd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! A little more philosophical than No Destination. He writes about his lessons from Vinobo Bhave, colleague of Gandhi.