The Way to God: Selected Writings from Mahatma Gandhi [Paperback]

Mahatma Gandhi (Author), M. S. Deshpande (Editor), Michael N. Nagler (Introduction), Arun Gandhi (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 2009

Mahatma Gandhi became famous as the leader of the Indian independence movement, but he called himself “a man of God disguised as a politician.” The Way to God demonstrates his enduring significance as a spiritual leader whose ideas offer insight and solace to seekers of every practice and persuasion. Collecting many of his most significant writings, the 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 book is based on Gandhi’s lifetime experiments with truth and reveals the heart of his teachings. Gandhi’s aphoristic power, his ability to sum up complex ideas in a few authoritative strokes, shines through these pages. Individual chapters cover such topics as moral discipline, spiritual practice, spiritual experience, and much more. Gandhi’s guiding principles of selflessness, humility, service, active yet nonviolent resistance, and vegetarianism make his writings as timely today as when these writings first appeared. A foreword by Gandhi’s grandson Arun and an introduction by Michael Nagler add useful context.

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 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian Independence movement. Born in 1869 in British India, he was the pioneer of Satyagraha—a philosophy that is concerned with truth and resistance to evil through active, non-violent resistance. He led India to independence from Britain and inspired movements for freedom and civil rights around the world. Gandhi lived a simple life, organizing an ashram that was self sufficient and even made his own clothes. He lived on a vegetarian diet and later on a fruitarian diet. He often underwent long fasts, for both self purification and for protest.He was assassinated in 1948 in New Delhi, India.This book includes a forward by Gandhi's grandson, Arun Gandhi, and an introduction by Michael Nagler, Professor emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley, where he has taught since 1966 and where he founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (March 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556437846
• ISBN-13: 978-1556437847
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.3 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #562,556 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

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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.