Paul Brunton: The Spiritual Crisis of Man

Rider, 1970 (1952)

Back Cover:

Dr Brunton, whose works are best-sellers in a dozen languages, was born in London in 1898.

During a successful career in journalism, he developed an interest in comparative religion, mysticism and philosophy. He has travelled extensively in the Orient, living among yogis, mystics and holy men. He is one of the few students of the East who have the ability to illuminate his understanding for the reader.

This book concentrates upon the plight of mankind today, and upon the possibilities of a solution to the problems that beset the world. Dr Brunton admits that the advances made in technology and science, the results of which now threaten our very existence, are inevitable and even necessary. But, as he explains, it is because these advances have been made regardless of the true needs of humanity that their goodness has turned to evil.

In his approach to these great issues Dr Brunton traces the concept of God from that of primitive superstition to the most elaborately philosophical, and then describes what his own mystical experience have taught him about the true nature of God and about man’s relationship to it. Now he believes it is a matter of the greatest urgency that we should transcend mere intellectualism by an awakening of our power of intuition, because this is the voice of the Soul or Overself, and the essential link between God and man. We must submit to this voice if we are to save ourselves from chaos and destruction.