Prayer [Paperback]

Mahatma Gandhi (Author), Arun Gandhi (Author), John Strohmeier (Author), M.K. Gandhi (Author), Michael Nagler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2000

First published in India in 1977, Prayer is a compilation of Gandhi's letters, articles, recorded conversations, and book excerpts. Divided into sections, the book first explores the meaning of prayer and the merits of prayer versus Buddhist meditation. The second section describes specific methods of spiritual practice, both private and public, and the abuses that compelled Gandhi to forge his own religious path. The third section discusses the power of the mantram, the continual repetition of God's name, which Gandhi regarded as the supreme form of prayer. Prayer concludes with a moving account of Gandhi's assassination in 1948. The appendixes include a selection of Gandhi's favorite prayers and hymns, translated by Gandhi himself from many religious traditions, east and west.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkeley Hills Books; Reprint edition (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893163091
• ISBN-13: 978-1893163096
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,689,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Wisdom from an Indian Saint., February 25, 2002

By 

Xavier Thelakkatt (Dayton, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prayer (Paperback)

Gandhi, though belonged to India, was a saint for men and women of all religions and lands and his message today has universal relevance. Therefore this book presenting in one volume the thoughts, sayings and messages of this spiritual giant on prayer, has limitless significance. It was first published in India in 1977 bringing together Gandhi's reflections and exhortations on prayer and now this edition of it is made available to the North American public with a few necessary alterations. It is indeed a beautiful book designed for the spiritual growth of the reader, with thought-provoking ideas springing out of the prayer experience of Gandhi, both personal as well as congregational.

The book has a Forward by Arun Gandhi a grandson of the Mahatma, and a very informative Introduction by Michael N Nagler. The text is divided into four parts: Meaning and Necessity of Prayer, Forms and Methods of Prayer, 'Ramanama' the Repetition of God's Name, and Last Breath, along with a couple of Appendices of Ashram prayers and Gandhi's favorite hymns. The section on 'Ramanama' dealing with the repetition of God's name is particularly fascinating in its content. Gandhi advocated silence as an aid to concentration in prayer and practiced fasting as a means of purification. These along with his life of witness to prayer and his insistence, "Prayer must be the very core of man..." would challenge men and women steeped in materialism and confused by modernity. It is a book to be read and treasured with great spiritual benefit.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prayer the Gandhi Way, October 21, 2001

By 

"shopgirlmeg" (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prayer (Paperback)

It is a collection of Gandhi's views on and importance of prayer. According to him, one can live without food for a day but impossible to live without a prayer. One can learn from this book how a daily prayer can help a human live day to day life. Gandhi tells the power of practicing "Ramnama". An interesting account of how prayers had helped him. Excellent reading. Practice will change your life.