This is a remarkable book in that it gives, perhaps for the very first time, a mystic's own inside account of the phenomena of Enlightenment and Liberation and yet does so in a totally scientific, astoundingly rational way, aided no doubt by the fact that the writer himself is a medical doctor. It defines these phenomena in precise scientific terms, gives a detailed and in-depth psychological description of these states, and tells what actually happens in the mind in the course of these phenomena.
Traditional beliefs are put in a rational per-spective and spiritual terms are explained in a simple but scientific way. The author also dispels many of the myths surrounding these topics, and gives a clear differentiation between states of trance and the state of Liberation. The traditional paths of bhakti, karma and jnana mentioned in Hinduism are elucidated with great clari-ty. The philosophy of different sages and traditions, from Advaita to Buddhism, Sufism to Christianity, Taoism to Zen, Kabir to Krishna-murti, are all perfectly blended into one continuous stream to form a veritable `philosophia perennis.'
Finally, this book gives convincing, practical answers to all the commonly recurring questions of the average spiritual enthusiast (`seeker').
In general, a primer and at the same time a complete ency-clopedia of spirituality, scientifically written, and yet so simply presented that even a spiritual novice can easily make the most of it. A must-read for all researchers in science and religion.