In this presentation, Meenakshi talks about consciousness as it relates to Bhartrhari’s philosophy of language. The chief text of this grammarian philosopher is his investigation of the relationship between language, thought and reality.
In presenting Bhartrhari’s theory, Meenakshi highlights the contributions of Indian philosophy to the study of consciousness and language. In doing so, she points to a significant influence of ancient Indian thought on the intellectual history of the West. In the spirit of globalization, she believes in the interconnectedness of culture and thought and the interrelatedness of people.
Meenakshi shares with us the result of reading of a process that Bhartrihari would call it a journey from one to another level of consciousness. To Meenakshi, it is a process towards self-actualization.
According to Indian thought, there are three ways to seek reality or unity – through the yoga of devotion, work, and knowledge. In pursuit of knowledge through reading, one can sometimes feel the reality behind the words. Bhartrihari would describe this as a process towards liberation.
Meenakshi teaches English as a Second Language in Ottawa. Meenakshi presented this seminar at the University of Waterloo to an audience of 28.