“Brunton writes with a burning conviction.”—Birmingham Mail
“This fascinating volume contains wisdom emanating from the Holy Hill in South India. It is a book which simply cries aloud for quotation. It is a book of noble thought, more valuable than a hundred sermons. A book, in short, calculated to help us to ‘do noble deeds not dream them all day long.’”— Montrose Standard [Scotland] May 15, 1936
“Writing at white heat, more in the spirit of a seer than that of a philosopher, Mr. P. Brunton, in A Message from Arunachala, expresses something a little different when he urges us to establish contact with the ‘Overself’ the godlike being within, which…gives the key to the world of spiritual reality.”—Bolton Evening News, [Manchester] July 6, 1936
“Paul Brunton has complied a volume of essays on the inner life which should find a ready welcome by his numerous admirers. the subjects covered range from meditations on the nature of spiritual consciousness and ‘contact with the Overself or divine being that dwells within each one of us’ to a criticism of the hollowness and shams of Western civilization. Through the pages of the book breathes the refreshing air of the heights where peace remains unbroken—Arunachala, the hill of Peace, the mount of Vision, to be found in every man if only he will turn his gaze within.”—The Occult Review [London]
“The present volume is an application of the teaching of the Maharshi…Brunton writes with a burning conviction, and …reaches the heart of a matter with penetrating insight. Brunton feels bitterly the dehumanizing tendency of modern mass production. the author outlines…the manner in which he thinks the stage, the cinema, broadcasting and literature can assist towards that spiritual regeneration of man which is of primary importance to Western civilization.”—Birmingham Mail
“…there are not a few passages which impress one by virtue, not of an Oriental mysticism, but by their sound common sense. His book is divided into thirteen chapters and in these he treats politics, business, society, world crisis, religion, intellect and music, mask and pen, solitude and lessons, happiness, suffering, self and Overself.”—Northern Whig [Belfast]
“Paul Brunton probably knows more about the inner life of India than any other living writer. This present book is the outcome of a visit…with the Maharshi who lives at the foot of the Sacred Hill of Arunachala. The book should appeal to those who are searching for more self-knowledge and more light on the secret path that leads to the inner life of the Overself.”—Armchair Science [London]
“A good deal of practical shrewdness and worldly wisdom mingled with idealism will be found in A Message from Arunachala. the work is written in short, pithy paragraphs, and the author’s opinions are always interesting and frequently provocative.”—Western Morning News [Plymouth, UK] June 30, 1936
“…while full of the charm of restrained beauty of expression, bears the impress of a vivid personality walking by the light of his inner vision through the surrounding wilderness of spiritual stupidity whence the reader emerges with him to a place of strength and joy.”—Aryan Path [Bombay] Dec. 1936
“…subjects are dealt with force and sincerity, illustrated by the author’s own experiences, that he underwent basking under the shafts of illumination that shot from the holy saint of Arunachalam. A course of meditation is suggested, easy to follow everywhere and in all circumstances. It is a revealing treatise and shall prove a great help…”—The Leader [Allahabad, India]
“It is not always possible for a foreigner to penetrate the accretions of later years and find the basic truths that Hinduism stands for. But Mr. Brunton’s message to the West is that India has an effective solution for some of the urgent problems of the West.”—Pioneer [Lucknow, India]
“Inspirational precepts.”—New York Herald Tribune, Aug. 30 1936
“About such an experienced writer of established reputation to say that he writes brilliantly is not much of a compliment to him.”—Federated India
“The thoughts have been recorded in a simple and limpid style and frequently embellished by epigrammatic statements. As a corrective to the madness and hustle of modern life, Mr. Brunton’s book is of absorbing interest.”—Hindu [Madras] Aug. 16, 1936
“Contains many precepts of great value intended to clarify life’s problems.”—Milwaukee Journal
“In A Message from Arunachala, Paul Brunton constructively attacks and pulverizes most of the institutions of modern civilization….What he has to say about these matters is extremely pertinent to the individual. He is sane and well-balanced, and refuses to be considered an exponent for any cult religion, organization or system. His final chapters on solitude and leisure, happiness and suffering, give a summary and a clue to his technique for the individual and a constructive method for correcting the abuses, self-imposed on society today.”—San Diego Sun
“Guidance is offered to him who would benefit by…solitude and leisure; who would commune with the Overself and discover the ultimate happiness, the mystic serenity.”—Cincinnati Enquirer
“Life’s problems and worries are solved by those who can follow this writer’s teachings and contact the Overself or divine being that dwells in each of us and thus gives each the key to the world of spiritual reality…”—San Francisco News
“Although the author of this delightful volume explains that it is not to be considered as a systematic philosophic treatise, but only ‘reflections of my moods and echoes of my meditations,’ the reader notes with satisfaction that these random thoughts are immensely more stimulating than many a learned tome of unimpeachable continuity.”—Inner Culture [Los Angeles]
“It is in the chapter dealing with concentration of thought that the author reveals the secret subject for meditation to which all the rest of the book is an introductory treatise.”—Natal Advertiser [Durban, South Africa]
Amazon reader review for A Message from Arunachala:
“Arunachala is a name of hill where Siva is worshiped as fire. Ramana Maharishi was a sage who lived there for a long period (1896-1950), at the foot of the hill. Paul Brunton as a seeker of truth met him, questioned him on various aspects. Ramana discussed with him about self-enquiry and guided him to practice it. In the book A Message from Arunachala is a set of small essays of Brunton giving his reflections on various aspects of human conditions, when he lives near the hill. Most of the essays are written in the period between two world wars. In a gentle way, Brunton points the limitations of materialism, restricted rationalism, and the need for looking for spiritual meaning in life. Readers of this book are encouraged to read the selection from Paul Brunton’s book (A Search in Secret India) which gives more details about this period. In this part, Ramana says to Paul Brunton ‘I was literally charmed here and the same force which drew you to this place from Bombay, drew me to it from Madura.’”
