Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: A Deep Dive with a Touch of Eastern Wisdom

A heartfelt thank you to my friend Ashok for gifting this thought-provoking book, "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman, to my daughters. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Fresh off a pilgrimage trip to Nepal, where I was deeply immersed in the richness of Hindu philosophy, I dove into this exploration of our two thinking systems with a newfound perspective.

System 1: Maya's Playground

Kahneman's concept of System 1, the fast and intuitive way of thinking, resonated with the concept of Maya in Hinduism. Just as System 1 relies on shortcuts and readily available information, Maya is the veil of illusion that obscures our true reality. During my pilgrimage, I witnessed a heightened awareness of the impermanence of things, a stark contrast to how System 1 often makes judgments based on immediate stimuli.

System 2: Seeking the Atman's Clarity

The concept of System 2, the slower and more deliberate thinking, mirrored the pursuit of Atman in Hinduism. Atman refers to the true self, the unchanging essence beneath the veil of Maya. By engaging System 2, we strive for a deeper understanding, similar to the Hindu practice of seeking the Atman through meditation and self-reflection.

Biases and the Play of Gunas

Kahneman explores cognitive biases that can cloud our judgment. These biases resonated with the concept of Gunas in Hinduism. The three Gunas – Sattva (balance), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (inertia) – influence our thoughts and actions. An imbalance in these Gunas can lead to biases, and recognizing their interplay, as highlighted in the book, can help us achieve a more Sattvic state of mind for balanced decision-making.

Mindfulness and the Path to Dharma

Understanding our two systems, like recognizing the interplay of Maya and Atman, is crucial on the path to Dharma, fulfilling our righteous duty. The mindfulness practices emphasized in the book align well with meditation practices in Hinduism. By quieting the noise of System 1 and activating System 2, we can make choices that are more conscious and aligned with our Dharma.

A Pilgrimage Within

"Thinking, Fast and Slow" became an extension of my physical pilgrimage. It provided a framework to understand how our minds work and navigate the world with greater awareness. As a Hindu devotee, I found the book to be a valuable companion on this internal journey.