Baksheesh and Brahman: Asian Journals - India (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)

About this book

After ten years of intensive study of Indian art and philosophy Joseph Campbell at 50 finally embarked on a journey to India. Searching for the transcendent (Brahman) he found instead stark realities: growing nationalism religious rivalry poverty and a prevalent culture of what he called baksheesh or alms. This journal chronicles the disillusionment and revelation that would change the course of Campbells life and study and his transition from professor to counterculture icon. Balancing Campbells astute explorations of mythology and history are his often amusing observations of a sometimes frustrating alien culture and his fellow Western travelers. This account also includes personal photographs specially commissioned maps and illustrations redrawn from Campbells own hand.