Arun has written a preface for each book in this four-book series, but it was the preface from this book, "Book of Prayers," that struck me the most, particularly this passage: "I attended many of Grandfather's prayer meetings at Sevegram Ashram in Wardha, Central India, and also when he traveled to various places between 1945 and 1947. His prayer services always intrigued me because they were so unlike the prayers that I had witnessed elsewhere. Ordinarily people either went to ornate temples, churches, synagogues and mosques, or performed an assortment of rituals at home. Even to a thirteen-year-old it was quite apparent that worship and prayers were centered on money. What was different about Grandfather's way of worship was the inclusiveness and the simplicity."

"What?" I thought, "Did I just read that? Worship and prayers are centered on money? I thought Arun was supposed to be 'peaceful.' That's not a very 'peaceful' or politically correct thing to write." Or so I thought at the time.

And that is one of the most refreshing things about Arun Gandhi's work. Unlike many in the self-help/spiritual awareness genre, Arun is not afraid to suggest we may find redemption by looking at, not denying, the more ugly sides of human nature. And that includes looking at the destructive effect religion can have if used in selfish ways. And it was quite an honor that, after his address was given, Arun came and sat beside me at the book table as he inscribed books for seminar attendees. It is always a memorable experience to hear Arun's first-person accounts of his time with his Grandfather, the Mahatma. As well as to see the gentle and generous way he interacts with those so full of questions for him (myself among them).

The last time I talked to Arun was September 13, 2001. I called him to say I hoped that he and his family were safe, in regard to the anger toward people of "Eastern" appearance that had temporarily manifested itself among some people in reaction to the attacks in New York City. He told me that, luckily, he and his family were not in harm's way.

I recently re-read Arun's introduction to this book. I found a passage I had forgotten about and is now quite striking: "The tragedy lies in our basic understanding of religion. Our attitude is conditioned by whether we believe we 'possess' the truth or we believe we 'pursue' the truth. If we accept the premise that we pursue the truth, then it becomes easier to accept and respect different forms of worship and philosophies. The alternative is too grim to even contemplate - a terrible holocaust perpetrated in the name of religion."

Andrew Parodi