Inside Knowledge.

Over the past week, I’ve been venturing inside the new TSK book, “Inside Knowledge”, and would like to share a passage that struck me this morning.  I would also like to say that I feel this new book provides a wonderful introduction to the vision.  It provides a fresh and welcoming option with which to interest our intelligent friends, without requiring that they make a large investment up front.  Jack has prefaced a variety of pieces—including little-known essays by Rinpoche–with his own reflections that both link them to ordinary life and place them within the broader TSK vision.

I expect that those who recall Jack vetting the concept of an introductory book based on Love of Knowledge, will agree that “Inside Knowledge” admirably accomplishes the intention he voiced then. 

From “Inside Knowledge”, page 29:

“Those of us educated in the modern world are already committed to expanding the scope of our knowledge; in fact, it is one of our proudest boasts that we can do so.  But the tools we have available, the modes of thought, are far too limited.  A radical shift is needed, one that will lead to a profound transformation.  That is what the TSK Vision offers.

          “Knowledge in the TSK Vision goes beyond the forms of knowledge we normally identify and engage.  Science for all it power, beauty, and integrity, has a strongly restrictive definition of what counts as knowledge; it purchases its claims to validity at the cost of adopting a highly restrictive view of what shall count as real.  Religion’s commitment to a source of transcendent love is deeply healing, and points beyond the self, yet there is little room in religion for active, creative inquiry; in fact, religion has largely abandoned the field of knowledge entirely.  The burgeoning field of self-help and positive psychology starts from a commitment to the self and the fundamental structures of reality, and never moves beyond them.”

The above is excerpted from Jack’s introduction to “Ocean of Knowledge”, Rinpoche’s conversation with an interested but sceptical student that first appeared in “Dimensions of Thought”, in 1980.