Praxix of Pereniality

Emerson's "Self Reliance" and Iqbal's Concept of Khudi

Abstract

An extensive comparative study between the two seers, Emerson and Iqbal brings forth many similarities. This paper adds to the corpus of comparative study between Iqbal and western philosophy and an unexplored dimension is also studied in this paper. Drawing on their similarities, this paper traces the concept of self-reliance as proposed by the father of Transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the dimensions of the self or ‘Khudi’ as developed by the poet philosopher, Allama Mohammad Iqbal. The critique in this paper strengthens upon the processes of Emerson’s spiritual insight coming from the readings in eastern religions, and building his vision upon the reconstruction of reliance on oneself with the convictions of selfhood, self-actualization, and selfrealization; which, when considered together, are perceived as the concept of ‘Khudi’, by Iqbal. While elaborating on the theory of ‘Khudi’, the paper also studies the possible limitations of these terms about the self, in constituting a comprehensive meaning of ‘Khudi’ as visualized by Iqbal. Self-reliance of Emerson and Khudi of Iqbal, are two philosophies whose relevance in today’s age is growing. If Emerson’s Self-Reliance with a preexisting harmony with nature, and with absolutely trustworthy seated at our heart has worked for the betterment and advancement of the people he propounded his philosophy for, then it goes without saying that Iqbal’s concept of Khudi goes further and makes the beholder of this principled stance a personality who becomes immortal. It is only a matter of implementing, integrating, and becoming the living embodiment of Khudi.