h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sherlock Holmes is an iconic figure in the history of detective novels. He is being regarded as a cult figure whose expertise in solving crimes gave birth to an entirely new genre of detective novels/crime thrillers. Not only that, professional investigation teams round the globe are also indebted to him for intelligence & inspiration. With much improved technology than Holmes had during that period of Victorian England in the 19th century, crime detection becomes a much easier job now. But we still look back at works of Sherlock Holmes for flashes of inspiration and the kind of classical discipline that was necessary in those days where little aid was available in terms of technology. Holmes was eclectic. He drew from Zen Buddhism : the ability to concentrate on a single object without the slightest wavering of the mind. He worked like a magician, the puzzles of crime were under his hypnotic spell. There has been mention in his novels of Holmes's special interest in study of Buddhism of Ceylon (Hinayana).

The word Zen comes from the Japanese word Zenna meaning " Quiet Mind Concentration ". This the basic stuff that good detectives are made of, they have had an abundance of energy , positive energy that leviates the mind and helps to concentrate. Its a practice. And its an art. Actually, the search for sprituality in a mystery stories is established fact. Holmes had interest in Mystery/Miracle Plays, 15th century palimpsest, Cornish language and its similarities with Chaldean tradition. The basic tenet that binds all spiritual stuff and the mind of the detective is the ultimate quest for truth/search for the truth, thats hidden beneath the surface. Its like decoding a scripture/message ( Hermeneutics).

Holmes started showing interest in Buddhism during that unaccounted-for years between "The Final Problem" when Doyle faked his detective's death
and "The Adventure of the Empty House" where he resurrected Holmes. This move into Eastern Mysticism also eclipsed his cocaine habits. Holmes was looking for something far more refreshing than the hypodermic syringe, he was looking for symbols of wider meaning and depth. He " added a touch of Zen to his life". His powers of observation took a new height, the controlling of the 5 senses and the new add-on : the sixth sense, the inner eye ( informed intution and introspection without a tinge of psychedelia ).

And Holmes commented to Watson "you see but you do not observe". The implications here are profound. Sherlock Holmes becomes a larger-than-life figure, a metaphysical detective whose "Bare Attention" in decoding riddles is almost like a mystical way of deoding parables.

Sherlock Holmes is ahead of times, he is the immortal Zen Master.