What do you think?
Rate this book
The Inner Reality: Jesus, Krishna, and the Way of Awakening
When actor Christopher Reeve was asked in a BBC interview which book he would want if stranded on a desert island, he replied, "The Inner Reality by the philosopher Paul Brunton."
A provocative and compelling work, The Inner Reality is an essential guide for spiritual seekers. First published in the 1930s, this remarkable book interweaves the teachings of two great religious figures: Jesus and Krishna. Identifying a common current running through both Christianity and Hinduism, Paul Brunton argues that an "inner reality" or "kingdom of heaven" can be found within each of us. Defining religion as simply the practice of binding oneself with divinity, he encourages readers to embark on the quest for self-knowledge and spiritual communion through a commitment to the contemplative path. With his profound interpretations of the world's sacred texts, from the Gospel of St. John to the Bhagavad Gita, Brunton bridges East and West to guide the reader into the living heart of these ancient traditions.
This new edition has been updated to incorporate the author's final revisions and includes a foreword by the Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation.
A provocative and compelling work, The Inner Reality is an essential guide for spiritual seekers. First published in the 1930s, this remarkable book interweaves the teachings of two great religious figures: Jesus and Krishna. Identifying a common current running through both Christianity and Hinduism, Paul Brunton argues that an "inner reality" or "kingdom of heaven" can be found within each of us. Defining religion as simply the practice of binding oneself with divinity, he encourages readers to embark on the quest for self-knowledge and spiritual communion through a commitment to the contemplative path. With his profound interpretations of the world's sacred texts, from the Gospel of St. John to the Bhagavad Gita, Brunton bridges East and West to guide the reader into the living heart of these ancient traditions.
This new edition has been updated to incorporate the author's final revisions and includes a foreword by the Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation.
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1939
33 people are currently reading
615 people want to read
About the author
Paul Brunton
81 books201 followersPaul Brunton was a British philosopher, researcher, mystic, and adventurer. He left a journalistic career to live among yogis, mystics, and holy men, and studied a wide variety of Eastern and Western esoteric teachings. With his entire life dedicated to the spiritual quest, Brunton felt charged with the task of communicating his knowledge and experiences in layperson's terms. He was one of the first persons to write accounts of what he learned about spirituality in the East, and his works have had a major influence on the spread of Eastern philosophy and mysticism to the West. Paul Brunton continued to write after his final publication in 1952, and a significant portion of his large archive of original writings was posthumously published by Larson Publications as "The Notebooks of Paul Brunton" (in 16 volumes). The entire archive will soon be housed at a university (2017) and available to read online (2019).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 9, 2007
I think every researcher and seeker of God should read this,But I really suggest you to read it beside some Islamic MYSTIC Books then you will feel a great change inside yourself.
July 14, 2024
There are not too many who can write authentically in an informed manner on comparative religious philosophies. I regard S Radhakrishnan as the most scholarly, he wrote extensively on Hindu philosophy and thought, respectively referring to other religions and cultures. Joseph Campbell, in his study of mythology, was very good as well. I discovered Paul Brunton after a friend recommended his book ‘A Search in Secret India’.
Syncretism, as practiced by Mahatma Gandhi is very rarely seen today. He had no hesitation in looking anywhere he thought he could draw wisdom from. Today while you can often hear phrases like “All religions are the same” – these are shallow statements coming from people in public life who know very little about any religion. Humanity is losing its interconnectedness and depth, not a new problem (Paul Brunton refers to it in this book as well), but there is a further decline since his times.
This book starts with an exceptional introduction, emphasizing the need for self-experience, alignment with scientific temper and knowledge, deeper understanding of metaphors and teachings in ancient texts, recognizing the parallels in religions and advocating for practices changing with the times. The initial sections elaborate on Christ’s teachings (especially from the ‘Sermon on the mount’), the middle sections discuss the Bhagawad Gita and the later sections draw on the Gospel according to St John, and close with summarizing Jesus’ life and teachings. He provides many examples explaining the metaphorical richness of the ancient text – for instance, what Jesus meant by ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’. There is a clear direction for self-discovery, which is many times lost in mainstream teachings. Intermittently, Paul takes potshots at organized religion with its rigid emphasis on mechanical & repetitive practices. We need to see above the literal, allowing for changes required for modern life, and the fact that there been edits (including some fanciful and inaccurate) to texts over the years. In the Bhagawad Gita he says, you find a remarkable exposition of how you can balance your inner & outer worlds. The Gita advocates action when called for (Campbell calls this the call to adventure in the Hero's Journey), terming it a far superior & right choice than avoidance/inaction. Lord Krishna is the guide, who does not participate in the battle himself, but is available for imparting advice and wisdom – there is a message there as well. Most of the coverage is on Jesus’ teachings and the discussions are excellent. The introduction at the start and end summary are exceptional.
This is a beautifully written book – honest and from the heart, recognizing that for the open-minded & curious - there are many sources of wisdom. There are also unexpectedly some good introductory meditation instructions. However, he tries too hard to make it as easy as possible to practise. I believe a few things in life should not be very easy. Yoga finds strong mention through the book, though I would have liked to see a more holistic description.
Overall, a book I loved. Though I was largely familiar with the teachings referred, I felt a sense of calm & had things to ponder over when I finished. I intend to of course, read more of his work.
Syncretism, as practiced by Mahatma Gandhi is very rarely seen today. He had no hesitation in looking anywhere he thought he could draw wisdom from. Today while you can often hear phrases like “All religions are the same” – these are shallow statements coming from people in public life who know very little about any religion. Humanity is losing its interconnectedness and depth, not a new problem (Paul Brunton refers to it in this book as well), but there is a further decline since his times.
This book starts with an exceptional introduction, emphasizing the need for self-experience, alignment with scientific temper and knowledge, deeper understanding of metaphors and teachings in ancient texts, recognizing the parallels in religions and advocating for practices changing with the times. The initial sections elaborate on Christ’s teachings (especially from the ‘Sermon on the mount’), the middle sections discuss the Bhagawad Gita and the later sections draw on the Gospel according to St John, and close with summarizing Jesus’ life and teachings. He provides many examples explaining the metaphorical richness of the ancient text – for instance, what Jesus meant by ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’. There is a clear direction for self-discovery, which is many times lost in mainstream teachings. Intermittently, Paul takes potshots at organized religion with its rigid emphasis on mechanical & repetitive practices. We need to see above the literal, allowing for changes required for modern life, and the fact that there been edits (including some fanciful and inaccurate) to texts over the years. In the Bhagawad Gita he says, you find a remarkable exposition of how you can balance your inner & outer worlds. The Gita advocates action when called for (Campbell calls this the call to adventure in the Hero's Journey), terming it a far superior & right choice than avoidance/inaction. Lord Krishna is the guide, who does not participate in the battle himself, but is available for imparting advice and wisdom – there is a message there as well. Most of the coverage is on Jesus’ teachings and the discussions are excellent. The introduction at the start and end summary are exceptional.
This is a beautifully written book – honest and from the heart, recognizing that for the open-minded & curious - there are many sources of wisdom. There are also unexpectedly some good introductory meditation instructions. However, he tries too hard to make it as easy as possible to practise. I believe a few things in life should not be very easy. Yoga finds strong mention through the book, though I would have liked to see a more holistic description.
Overall, a book I loved. Though I was largely familiar with the teachings referred, I felt a sense of calm & had things to ponder over when I finished. I intend to of course, read more of his work.
December 19, 2021
De-a lungul veacurilor, milioane de cuvinte au fost rostite şi scrise despre Dumnezeu şi, cu toate acestea, nu pare că ne-am apropiat de înţelegerea acestei probleme. Aproape fiecare popor şi
fiecare rasă au avut Dumnezeul lor, adică ideea lor despre Dumnezeu. Aceste multe varietăţi ale divinităţii sunt atât de surprinzătoare prin diferenţele dintre ele, încât un sceptic ar putea
foarte bine să spună: „Toţi zeii voştri sunt halucinaţii, creaţii ale imaginaţiei”. În secolul al XIX-lea, când savanţii au făcut studii asupra religiilor comparate, au descoperit sute de zei care au fost
adoraţi atât de popoarele primitive, cât şi de cele civilizate. Ca urmare, au ajuns la concluzia ironică potrivit căreia omul Îl creează pe Dumnezeu după propria înfăţişare.
fiecare rasă au avut Dumnezeul lor, adică ideea lor despre Dumnezeu. Aceste multe varietăţi ale divinităţii sunt atât de surprinzătoare prin diferenţele dintre ele, încât un sceptic ar putea
foarte bine să spună: „Toţi zeii voştri sunt halucinaţii, creaţii ale imaginaţiei”. În secolul al XIX-lea, când savanţii au făcut studii asupra religiilor comparate, au descoperit sute de zei care au fost
adoraţi atât de popoarele primitive, cât şi de cele civilizate. Ca urmare, au ajuns la concluzia ironică potrivit căreia omul Îl creează pe Dumnezeu după propria înfăţişare.
May 12, 2020
Stunning love this book and lapping up others by Paul Brunton
December 19, 2022
If there is one book you should read when it comes to spirituality this would be my pick.
I kept wondering throughout how was such a man hidden for long...
i intend to read all of his works now.
I kept wondering throughout how was such a man hidden for long...
i intend to read all of his works now.
May 14, 2025
"Bütün bunların anlamı ne?" diyerek başlıyor ama devamında o kadar derinlikli gitmiyor. Yuhanna İncili, İsa Peygamber, Bhagavad Gita, Tanrı, din anlayışı, inziva mı değil mi vs. çevresinde döndürüyor.
En beğendiğim parçalardan biri de yazara ait değil ama kitaba ait:
"İnsanlar dağların doruklarını, denizin dalgalarını, geniş nehirleri ve koca okyanusu seyretmek için yolculuk yaparlar ama en yüce mucize olan kendilerini görmeksizin geçer giderler." (s.128)
Aziz Augustin, İtiraflar.
En beğendiğim parçalardan biri de yazara ait değil ama kitaba ait:
"İnsanlar dağların doruklarını, denizin dalgalarını, geniş nehirleri ve koca okyanusu seyretmek için yolculuk yaparlar ama en yüce mucize olan kendilerini görmeksizin geçer giderler." (s.128)
Aziz Augustin, İtiraflar.
July 15, 2023
A great one for the soul. The closing chapter and up to the middle part are relevant till this day - some statements are made that aren't necessary feasible, still they are good to open up discussion
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews