The Way to God [Paperback]

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Author), M. S. Desphande (Editor), Michael N. Nagler (Introduction), Arun Gandhi (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

One of the most influential figures of the twentieth century, M. K. Gandhi was a revolutionary leader not only in politics, but also in religion. It was for the power of his devotion to God that he was granted the title Mahatma, Great Soul, and continues to be regarded by millions as a Hindu saint. This book explores the deep religious roots of Gandhi's worldly accomplishments, and reveals, in his own words, his intellectual, moral and spiritual approaches to the divine.

First published in India in 1971, The Way to God is based on Gandhi's lifetime of experiments with truth, and reveals the heart of his teachings on love, the soul, meditation, service, surrender and prayer. Readers from every faith will find wisdom and inspiration in its message. This edition, the first available to American readers, includes a foreword by Arun Gandhi, the grandson of the Mahatma, and an introduction by Michael N. Nagler.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

"I believe it to be possible for every human being to attain that blessed and indescribable state in which he feels within himself the presence of God." --Mohandas K. Gandhi

About the Author

Mahatma Gandhi, the father of Indian independence, is also regarded by many as a Hindu saint. Born in Porbandar in 1869, the youngest son of a provincial royal administrator, he received a law degree in London. Struggling in his efforts to establish a legal career in India, he moved to South Africa, where his practice flourished. He took the lead in a successful movement to guarantee basic human rights to Indian nationals in South Africa, in the process developing a revolutionary form of nonviolent resistance, which he named satyagraha, truth force.

In 1915, Gandhi returned to India, where he ultimately took a leading role in freeing the subcontinent from British rule. For nearly four decades, he opposed colonial oppression by implementing mass civil disobedience actions, leading marches, undergoing personal fasts, and preaching nonviolence and racial and religious equality. He achieved worldwide recognition not only as a political activist, but also as a religious teacher whose convictions dissolved cultural and institutional borders. He was assassinated in 1948 by a Hindu fundamentalist, five months after the establishment of Indian independence.

Product Details

• Paperback: 105 pages
• Publisher: Berkeley Hills Books (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893163008
• ISBN-13: 978-1893163003
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,725,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Heart of the Mahatma, October 10, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: The Way to God (Paperback)

One of the most influential figures of the 20th century, Mahatma Gandhi was a 'man of God disguised as a politician' in his own words. As a political liberator his name shall ever be remembered in history, but it is his contribution to the humanity's inner life that would prove more important in the long run. According to him any social change or political transformation should be founded on a spiritual awakening. Gandhi remained a Hindu by religious affiliation, but adopted a form of universal worship. He believed in the oneness of God and the legitimacy of all religions as leading to the same God, known by different names. This 'Great Soul of India' (Mahatma) was indeed 'the light of the world'. As Michael Nagler put it, "He went into the heart of everything and touched the hearts of millions because he chose and clung to the one essential thing, which is to awaken God or Truth within the individual".

Gandhi's spiritual thoughts scattered in his various writings were put together as a book by M S Deshpande and published in India in 1971 under the title "Pathway to God". This edition of it, slightly altered in content, is now available to the American readers for the first time. It has a 'Forward' by his grandson, Arun Gandhi and a very informative 'Introduction' by Michael Nagler. This book has captured the heart of the Mahatma whose life reflected every thought of his expressed in this book. This edition offers to the reader a wealth of spiritual insights providing food for reflection and meditation. A familiarity with some of the Hindu categories may help a better understanding of the spiritual concepts laid out in the book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent excerpts from modern saint, August 2, 2001

By 

Wyote (Seoul) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Way to God (Paperback)

So many people admire Gandhi's life and his very visible, political spirituality. His spirituality had deep, Hindu roots, which he explained in many writings. This book is excerpts of those writings, arranged by subject. In the introduction we are told of an incident where a politician told Gandhi that they were both men of God. Gandhi replies, "You are a politician disguised as a man of God. I am a man of God disguised as a politician." The truth of that statement comes out in his writings.

"It is the duty of every human being to look carefully within and see himself as he is, and spare no pains to improve himself in body, mind and soul. He should realize the mischief wrought by injustice, wickedness, vanity and the like, and do his best to fight them."

His life is an example, despite his imperfections, and his teachings are a reliable guide. This is a challenging, gentle, profound book, to be read and re-read later.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars personal search 4 spirit, October 18, 2010

By 

lookn4it - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Way to God: Selected Writings from Mahatma Gandhi (Paperback)

If you are searching for help to seek your inner GOD, this little book offers much to hope for and ponder over.