Guru Nanak: His Mystic Teachings

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About the Book:

Many books have been written on various aspects of Guru Nanak. The recent trend has been to lay exclusive emphasis on certain sociological aspects of his teaching and influence. In Comparison, far too little has been said on the essence of his teaching, which may be designated as spiritual or mystic. The present work has a distinct focus on this specific aspect.

The Author has also lucidly brought out the close relationship that exists between the mystic experience and ethics as well as religion, drawing on his rich background in western philosophy. The mystic experience has been shown to be the cause as also the effect of ethical living. And, it has been forcefully brought out that all religions are essentially mystical.

Guru Nanak is another volume in our Mystics of the East Series. All the monographs previously published in this Series have been well received; hence, need was felt for a monograph on Guru Nanak, one of the greatest saints of India.

Like the other volumes in the Series, Guru Nanak brings out the same essential features that are inherent in the teachings of all true saints. The author ably expounds some important aspects of Guru Nanak's teachings that are generally ignored. Thus, although there are already many books on Guru Nanak, we hope this book will have special interest for those with some background in the subject who are imbued with a seeking spirit.

Guru Nanak differs from the rest of the Series in its exposition at some length on the meaning and significance of mysticism for human life. The author also attempts to bring out the close relationship of mystical experience to ethics as well as religion, drawing on his background in Western philosophy. He has made a lifelong study of the teachings of the saints, and has a deep and penetrating insight into the essence of their teachings. It is hoped that his discussion of the universal truths taught by perfect masters of different countries and different ages will be found most fascinating.

The greatness of the saints lies in their achievements in the realm of spirit, and it will be seen that this great saint of the Punjab, Guru Nanak, reached heights of spiritual exaltation rarely achieved in any age. We hope that every genuine seeker and aspirant for God-realization will derive much benefit from the study of Guru Nanak's mystic teachings.

Back in 1969 I contributed a paper entitled "Mystical Teachings of Guru Nanak" to an international seminar organized by Punjabi University, Patiala, on the occasion of Guru Nanak's quincentenary celebrations. A few years later some friends suggested that I might get some reprints of the article for the benefit of people interested in Guru Nanak's mystical philosophy. The seed of this suggestion took some time to germinate and grow in my mind. In the process I was advised to expand the scope of the article to include a biographical chapter on Guru Nanak's life. Later still it was impressed on me to add some of his hymns to give a flavour of his own writings, albeit in translation, to the reader. I was also prevailed upon to add a few subsections under the head 'Teachings', as also to give a few quotations from the other Gurus in the House of Nanak to support and elaborate Guru Nanak's teachings. So, what started as a humble project of a small article has now assumed the dimensions of a book.

I am deeply beholden to Prof. K.S. Narang, who has not only taken a keen interest in the project but has also given valuable suggestions in the writing of the book. My thanks are also due to the various members of the Dera Publications Committee who helped finalize the manuscript; to Mrs. Beverly Mansukhani and Mrs. Kamla Samtani for typing it; to Miss Anthea Guinness for going through the manuscript and preparing the press copy; to Gopi Gajwani for designing the cover; and to Miriam and Wayne Caravella who saw it through the press, guided by Miss Louise Hilger with her usual care and devotion.