Food for the soul
Roopinder Singh

Treasury of Mystic Terms
edited by John Davidson. Science of the Soul Research Centre, Radha Soami Satsang, Beas, New Delhi. Six volumes. Rs 500.

A beautifully produced set on mysticism and spirituality, this is a significant work. More than 40 scholars have worked on it, gleaning over 5,000 nuggets from religious texts from around the globe. The first volume starts with an overview of the universe of spirituality, which helps to put the early spiritual traditions in perspective.

You take a journey into the world of Sumerian and Mesopotamian spirituality, Zoroastrianism and its founder, Zarasthushtra, Judaism, Christianity, Gnosticism, Islam and the Indian traditions, including the six schools of Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Purva Mimansa and Vedanta. The Sikh tradition, Buddhism, Taosim and even native cultures of North America, Central America, and Australian aboriginal spirituality are also dealt with. In the process, you come across some interesting bits of information, like the relationship between Jewish mystics and the Sufis, and the existence of Jewish Sufi manuscripts, which were discovered in Cairo in the late 19^th century. Christianity is explained at length, and another interesting section is on Greek mystics and philosophers.

The six volumes are not continuations, but handle sub-themes: The Universe of Spirituality, The Divine Eternity, The Divine Creative Power, The Hierarchy of Creation, Man and the Cosmos, The Soul in Exile. We find out the many names of God that have been used in different religions and cultures. God, the divine creative power, is often described as eternal and immortal. The explanations of the names reveal the way God has been envisioned by divinities and divine persons. For the Tao masters, it is the "eternal, permanent, constant; that which is perpetual, unchanging and always true; in a mystic sense, the universal law or principle of permanence, Tao, which is the power underlying the physical universe of changing phenomena." Why would a reader be able to easily relate to this definition? Because it is so similar to the Indian concept of God.

The very strength of these volumes lies in the fact that they bring out the essential similarities in the way man envisions mystical experiences. Once you get over cultural and linguistic differences, the essence is so similar. But then, why should it not be?

When we think of God, we see his creative power. Guru Nanak says God is "Karta Purkh", the Creator. The word of God is also described in many different ways, but its essence is well recognised and acknowledged. Nam, Nad, Manthra, all refer to the word of the Lord.

Can there be good if there is no bad? This is a question that so bedevils the philosopher, though ordinary persons will always admit that there is both good and bad in the world. One whole volume is devoted to the negativity that exists in the world, and entries include the Devil, Kaal, negative power and Satan. The real is often obscured by illusion, by maya. Described by different traditions in various ways, the book gives a good working explanation when it says: "On account of maya, or ignorance, man has forgotten his true nature and finds himself entangled in the relative world of good and evil, pain and pleasure, life and death and the other pairs of opposites."

One can just not read this set of six volumes, or for that matter any book in it from cover to cover. In fact, it has been designed for the reader, who like this reviewer, would come back for more and more. As one sees the various terms explained in fairly lucid and simple language, one recognises the work that must have gone behind it to ‘dejargonise’ one of the more esoteric subjects. Of course, there can and will be differences of opinion and hair-splitting, but that is only to be expected and would probably be welcomed by the editors.

Brought out by a team of volunteers, the volumes are produced at par with international standards, and priced low even by Indian norms. There is no doubt that this is a labour of love, which is obviously continuing, since Part II of the treasure is still to come. It will be eagerly awaited by many.

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