Everyone starts to read and write in childhood and this practice of reading and writing continues till one’s formal education is complete. However, after education, as grown-ups start working they stop reading and so lose the reading habit they had developed in the childhood. As a result the childhood-friendship with books breaks.
This needs to be restored because reading is very beneficial for us in all ages and it helps in refining our personalities. In schools and colleges whatever is read is restricted to what is prescribed in the syllabus. But if the habit of reading books outside syllabus is developed, a lot of knowledge can be gained on other aspects of life. Franz Kafka, a very famous novelist has written — “A book should serve as an axe for the frozen sea within us.” We don’t feel the need to read after formal education is complete, but just as we sweep our homes clean everyday, regularity in reading is necessary to clean the dust that gathers in our minds as well. Very often people complain that they have no time for reading.
This is nothing but an excuse because it has been found in surveys that in most homes TVs are watched for at least 35 to 45 hours a week. This is slightly less than the amount of time people spend at work. If there is no time to read then where does the time to watch TV comes from? The truth is that we always create time for the tasks that we like doing; and always find the excuse for the uninteresting tasks. Vladimir Nobakov, the famous author has said — “Do not worry about the time being spent in reading, just keep reading.
There is no other better utilization of your time.” Actually we must always maintain the habit of reading that gets instilled during school days. Even if we have lost this habit, we should start the practice of reading again. In the beginning we may set the target of reading a book in a month and slowly increase the rate of reading to a book per week. As we develop regularity in the practice ofreading, we begin to realize that we are gradually opening doors to excellence. According to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, “The books that make you think are the most useful. What you call books are not objects made of dry lifeless paper. Books are, in fact, reverberations of an active life. In every sentence of the book exists immortality of experience, solutions to the problems of life, the coolness of shade, unflinching faith and a repository of life—force.” As a matter of fact, the knowledge that can be gained after many years of effort can be gained in much less time through books. What Milton, the famous poet, has said on books is worth remembering — “A great book is an invaluable inheritance of an eminent soul, which brings out all the important experiences of his life in a concise form.” Sage Thiruvalluvar says —”Books are like fragrant flowers. Wherever they go, they carry this enchanting fragrance along. Each place is their home and each country is their own native land.” It is possible that we may lose a friend but the knowledge gained from books is never lost and even helps us at the right occasions. If we study books and utilize knowledge gained from them in our lives, we can often solve the complexities of our own lives easily.
Books provide new dimensions to our thinking and often compel us to contemplate on important matters. Whatever be the level of stress, anxiety and depression that a person may be facing, reading positive and encouraging books helps in overcoming these difficulties and reducing the mental trauma. Good books encourage a person to take up worthy activities and guide him to take the virtuous path. Books are written on numerous topics.
We can pick books on the subjects of our interest and gain a lot of information as well as knowledge on the subject from them. Though books are written based upon the writer’s personal experiences, which can never become our own experiences; yet they can provide much guidance. Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya says – “Good books are like living deities whose worship provides light and joy instantly.” The process of reading is good for health as well because it activates all our senses and makes the entire body active. Whatever be the age, the habit of reading is a source of good health for all. Alder, who directs various programs for elderly people of the age of sixty or more, says – “You cannot even guess how magical the effect of reading books on elderly people is.” If an aged person is able to see, listen and think, then after reading the text he or she tends to evaluate and relate to the thoughts from the book, and this helps to inculcate the habit of keeping the mind busy and active.
The best way to get rid of depression and the feeling of worthlessness is to keep the mind always active. The habit of reading keeps the mind active. Psychologists also say that to keep pace with the latest developments in the world the best way is to read. So, it is not only useful but absolutely essential to keep reading throughout life. Reading is an effective mental exercise and by adopting this habit one can keep the mind healthy right through the old age.
If we wish to make a big transformation in thinking, it is necessary to dwell long among great thoughts and adopt them in real life. A good practice of reading requires sincere contemplation, without which the knowledge gained does not become useful. This is why Yugarishi Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya has associated proper reading with self-study, in which what is read is also contemplated upon thoroughly so that it becomes a part of our lives. Just like the consumed food needs to be digested to gain nutrition, the knowledge gained through reading must be digested to become practically useful for us. We need good literature to read which contains positive, enlightening thoughts and for this reason, Yugarishi has created such a fabulous collection of literature that assimilates all contemporary subjects of interest and which can guide human beings along the righteous path.
Akhand Jyoti
July – August 2018
