The Way of Peace and Blessedness

Like "The Path of Devotion" by the same author, the present volume is made up in chief measure of extracts from letters; hence the living, personal note that sounds through its pages. According to Vedanta, religion is always an individual problem and the truest method of transmitting it the individual method. It must be a direct call from the wise and loving heart of the Teacher to the questioning heart of the disciple, the immediate quickening of the letter by the spirit. The great Vedic Scriptures are nothing more: a mighty Seer of Truth sitting in the shaded seclusion of a Himalayan forest, passing on to some eager, inquiring student the fruits of his realization. And wherever this note is heard, whether in the eternal word of a Scripture or in the admonitions of a simple letter, it cannot fail to stir to new life the spiritual consciousness.

The Way of Peace and Blessedness must ever be the way of consecrated service to a lofty Ideal, through unwavering trust, purity of heart and steadfast devotion. To follow it, one must rouse the soul from its slumber of ignorance or indifference and make it feel the reality of God and the spiritual life; one must learn how to worship Truth and gain the Divine vision, how to love and work unselfishly and prayerfully. These are the lessons taught in these pages, lessons too potent and precious to be kept for one only; so they have been gathered up into this little book, which is now sent forth with its holy message in the earnest hope that through it many may find peace and blessing.