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Being Different

An Indian Challenge to Western Universalism

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Being Different

Written by: Rajiv Malhotra
Narrated by: Kanchan Bhattacharyya
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About this listen

India is more than a nation state. It is also a unique civilization with philosophies and cosmologies that are markedly distinct from the dominant culture of our times - the West.

India's spiritual traditions spring from dharma, which has no exact equivalent in Western frameworks. Unfortunately, in the rush to celebrate the growing popularity of India on the world stage, its civilizational matrix is being co-opted into Western universalism, thereby diluting its distinctiveness and potential.

In Being Different: An Indian Challenge to Western Universalism, thinker and philosopher Rajiv Malhotra addresses the challenge of a direct and honest engagement on differences by reversing the gaze, repositioning India from being the observed to the observer and looking at the West from the dharmic point of view. In doing so, he challenges many hitherto unexamined beliefs that both sides hold about themselves and each other. He highlights that while unique historical revelations are the basis for Western religions, dharma emphasizes self-realization in the body here and now. He also points out the integral unity that underpins dharma's metaphysics and contrasts this with Western thought and history as a synthetic unity.

Erudite and engaging, Being Different critiques fashionable reductive translations and analyses the West's anxiety over difference and fixation for order which contrast the creative role of chaos in dharma. It concludes with a rebuttal of Western claims of universalism while recommending a multicultural worldview.

©2013 Rajiv Malhotra (P)2018 Audible, Inc.
Eastern Metaphysics

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Great Book by Rajivji

Good audio done but I would like to see chapter-wise reflection the way book is done. looking forward to Breaking India' and other books of Rajiv Malhotra in Audible...

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Wonderful Book - A must read

This is an excellent eye opener book. It’s quite informative and enlightening.

A must read for every Indian to understand the actual Indian philosophy and culture without any manipulation.

This book will definitely boost the self esteem and respect for Indian philosophy.

Delightful to get the chance to read this original work.

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Awesome Narrative

Enjoyed listening to entire book. It brings reality behind Indian culture, how it is inclusive and unique in nature

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A significant perspective

Loved it. very thought provoking. The 'gaze' is revealing. A must read and re-read. Thank you, Rajiv ji.

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Amazing knowledge of the author

This is amazing piece of knowledge store which wouldn’t have been possible for me to read but could listen it all these hours of learning and enlightenment!

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One of the best books on Indian Philosophy

I really liked this book thoroughly. It's must have book if you want to understand Indian Philosophy and thought process. It guide you to overcome unwarranted and illogical insecurities we feel when we meet or while dealing with westerners.

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