Book Review: Is by Sandeep Amar Explores Life Through Science and Philosophy
Rajkumari Sharma Tankha
I must confess it was the unusual title of the book that first attracted me to it. But when I first read Is: A Journey That Will Change Your Life (Prabhat Prakashan) by Sandeep Amar, the words simply went over my head. I thought it was some philosophy book meant for research scholars. I just didn’t understand it and kept it aside. But the book had caught my attention and held it firmly. I just couldn’t ignore it. And the fact that I didn’t understand what the author was trying to convey gnawed at me endlessly. So after about 15 days, I picked it up again. I read and re-read each paragraph, sometimes multiple times. In the end, I must say, my effort was worth it.
A Book That Demands Patience
The book explores the core concepts of life. The author explains each idea through experiences and real-life examples, while also bringing in the science behind life concepts.
Finding Direction and Purpose
It also encourages the reader to identify his or her life objectives and the practical path to achieve them.
A Blend of Science and Philosophy
It surely is an educative and thought-provoking read for those looking to resolve life issues, gain conceptual clarity, and find a real direction in life.
The author has drawn heavily from Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, as well as TV serials, to explain various ideas while piecing together the theory of Is, which is essentially a philosophy based on science. This means there is nothing abstract, as is often the case with philosophy—each concept is backed by logic and facts. If, while reading the book, you reflect on situations in your own life, you can understand things in a much clearer light.
The book is divided into 12 chapters for readers’ convenience, and Amar provides a summary at the end of each chapter. The central idea remains simple—how to achieve peace of mind and contentment in life and avoid unnecessary comparisons with others. In short, it reiterates the oft-repeated truth that each individual is unique and has their own life journey.
I will give just two examples here:
The first chapter, The Relative and the Absolute, explains how nature created different things as absolutes. However, these ‘absolutes’ are part of a larger whole. Our thought processes, driven by emotions, make them relative—changing how we perceive events in our lives.
Chapter 3, The I and The Other, talks about creating a reference frame when faced with struggles. It suggests not only looking at people more fortunate than you but also at those less privileged. This creates balance and continuity in life. The moment this happens, the focus shifts to ‘I’ rather than the ‘other’.
Now, the rest is for you to explore. I won’t spoil your experience by giving a synopsis of each chapter.
