Vinod Kadakol is a philosopher-writer and an independent researcher in theoretical physics, working on questions at the foundations of reality, including ideas related to superstring theory. Trained in physics, he has also walked the path of public service, qualifying in the Civil Services Preliminary and Main examinations and appearing for the Personality Test. Deeply influenced by the inquiries of Jiddu Krishnamurthy and U. G. Krishnamurthy, he has worked as a mentor in physics and mathematics at Jiddu Krishnamurthy’s Valley School. In addition to his English works, he has authored several books in Kannada for competitive examination aspirants, including the widely used Genius IAS Handbook, and has written short stories and poems.He is also known to readers by the pen-identity “IAS Monk,” and continues to write at the meeting ground of science, philosophy, literature, and ethical life.