The Wisdom of Sri Chinmoy

Chinmoy, the Bengali lecturer and author of Wings of Joy who now lives in New York City and conducts twice-weekly peace meditations at the United Nations, teaches a Hindu method of meditation that he calls the ""path of the heart."" This book is a compilation of excerpts from Chinmoy's writings and teachings, grouped thematically and in alphabetical order, from ""Advice"" to ""Yoga."" Other topics among the 87 entries include ""Beauty,"" ""Dreams,"" ""Faith,"" ""Intuition,"" ""Religion,"" ""Sex"" and ""Worry."" Most of the entries are composed in a q&a format, as if a disciple were asking a series of questions about a particular idea. Chinmoy's teachings unapologetically point to himself as a guru. In the section ""Death,"" for example, he promises his disciples that at the moment of their deaths he will stand before them and take their souls into a gold or silver chariot. He also offers a section called ""Devotion to Guru."" People who have no experience with guru devotion in the Hindu tradition may find it difficult to take such passages seriously. The book's lexicographical format necessarily results in a superficial treatment of many matters; a serious inquirer would probably prefer to read more in-depth works by Chinmoy, though a beginner seeking an accessible treatment of Hindu thought might appreciate the dictionary approach. (Sept.)