Philosophy

What is Madhyasth Darshan (Saha-Astitva-vad)?

Four Key points

  • 'Jeevan Vidya' or Madhyasth Darshan (Coexistential Philosophy, Saha-astitva-vad) is a new knowledge system or philosophy (darshan) by A.Nagraj (1920-2016) of India that transcends existing frameworks. It is not based on past or existing human theories.
  • It clarifies the origins, existence and precise relationship between the conscious (spirit & mind) and matter, with profound implications for us humans.
  • It is practical & teachable resulting in individual happiness, peace etc & humane virtues such as kindness.
  • It provides all-round resolution to our current personal, familial, social & ecological problems, allowing us to make sense of living. It enables us to have comprehension of every aspect of existence (reality) & human life

Background

Madhyasth Darshan (Jeevan Vidya) or 'Coexistential Philosophy' has come about via original existential exploratory-research by (late) Shri A Nagraj of Amarkantak, India (originally from Hassan, Karnataka). It is a new discovery that inaugurates the fundamental nature of the Universe, Human Being, Consciousness & Human purpose.

This is not based on any religious belief or sect, but on natural laws, on reality. This is an ‘existence based human focused contemplation’. This Coexistential Philosophy (Coexistentialism) is being presented as an ‘Alternative’ to Materialism(Science) and Theism/Spiritualism for evaluation and study by humankind.

Salient Points

This philosophy is comprehensive. It examines, & provides
an integral-view of all dimensions of human life:

Intellectual
(logical, rational)
Spiritual
(existential, experiential)
Behavioral
(emotional)
Material
(sensory,
occupational)

It does not

  • Talk of 'renunciation' or 'negate' the world we live in — it rather explains it.
  • Talk of 'indulgence' in the world — it rather lights up our relationship with it.
  • Is not a lesson in morality — rather the uncovering of the natural state of being in every human.

It enables freedom

  • Freedom from prevailing individual criminality & communal mentality between peoples.
  • Freedom from illusion (delusion).
  • It comes in education: is universal, verifiable & free of mysticism.

It is practiceable

  • It can be studied and understood by every human logically & intuitively.
  • It has a definite method of study by which we can have realization.
  • It comes in education: is universal, verifiable & free of mysticism.

It is Liveable

  • Enables human character: morality in wealth, behavior & marital life.
  • Enables virtues like simplicity, generosity, kindness & benevolence.
  • We can understand ourselves as humans and fulfill our relationships in family, society, and nature. We can live purposeful and meaningful lives.

It has all-round solutions for the myriad problems
all of us face, the world faces:

Personal strife
and
meaninglessness
Interpersonal issues
with people – in the family & around
Societal conflict
like war &
exploitation
Ecological problems
pollution & resource depletion

Basic Message

Existence is in the form of Coexistence of material, conscious and spatial realities.

Human being is the combined form a conscious Self (jeevan) & Material Body.

Humans on this planet are currently in a state of incomplete understanding, or illusion.

With the Knowledge & living of Coexistence, all human problems can be resolved.

Madhyasth Darshan literature — 12 books authored by A. Nagraj

The Literature

Consists of a set of 12 books originally written in Hindi, not based on any past or current texts.
They contain a Study of:

  • Existence & evolution (reality)
  • Consciousness: its origins, development & awakening
  • The Human Being & Human Purpose
  • Humanness & Living - recognizing & fulfilling all relationships & values
  • Humane (Undivided) Society - culture & civility (sanskriti, sabhyata)
  • Humane (Universal) Systems - education, health, justice, production & exchange

A study of every aspect of everything.

New Darshan (philosophy, view of reality)

Philosophy of Human Behaviour
manav vyavhar
darshan
Philosophy of Human Action
manav karma
darshan
Philosophy of Human Practice
manav abhyas
darshan
Philosophy of Human Realisation
manav anubhav
darshan

Alternative Dialectics (vaadas)

'Resolution-centric
Materialism'
(samadhanatmak
bhoutikvad)
Instead of Conflict-centric Materialism: dvandvatmak bhoutikvad
'Realisation-centric Spiritualism'
(anubhavatmak
adhyatmavad)
instead of Mysticism-centric Spiritualism: rahasyatmak adhyatmvad
'Behaviour-centric
Humanism'
(vyavharatmak
janvad)
instead of Struggle-centric Humanism: sangharshatmak janvad

Alternative Codes for Living (shastras)

'Cyclical Economics'
(avartansheel
arthashastra)
Instead of Conflict-centric Materialism: dvandvatmak bhoutikvad
'Behavioural Sociology'
(vyavharwadi
samajshastra)
Instead of Consumption based Sociology: bhogonmaadi samajshastra
'Consciousness oriented Psychology'
(manav sanchetnavadi
manovigyan)
Instead of Desire based Psychology: kamonmaadi manovigyan

Proposal to humankind

This philosophy is logically consistent and enables us to deal practically with the phenomena in nature, and verify it via direct experience and as proof in living - it is thus free of mysticism. This philosophy provides remarkably clear & precise definitions for every aspect of human living. This understanding & model of living is now available for study & practice.

A diverse set of people are now seriously evaluating this proposal. Efforts to bring this into education are underway in India.

~

This is a proposal for Universal Good.

The human search for the origins, nature & purpose of 'coexistence' is over.

It is now available to all.

The expectation of 'knowledge' from India that has existed from time immemorial, has now been completed.

सुदूर विगत से भारत से जो ‘ज्ञान’ की अपेक्षा रही, वो पूरी हो चुकी है

~

*# See this schematic that illustrates the placement of 'Madhyasth Darshan vis a vis other bharatiya darshans.

Terms:

  • Madhyasth (मध्यस्थ) – means Mediating, the stabilizing aspect in Existence.
  • Darshan (दर्शन) –Direct insight into reality and its exposition
  • Saha-Astitva-vad (सह-अस्तित्ववाद): Philosophy or Coexistentialism, is the dialectics
  • Jeevan (जीवन) – name for the conscious aspect, unit
  • Jeevan Vidya (जीवन विद्या) – Program for public dissemination of the knowledge of ‘Jeevan’

The best way to begin exploring Madhyasth Darshan is through the introductory Jeevan Vidya Shivir.

Attend a Workshop →

Go to top of the page