“The Gifford Lectures are normally spread over two years. There is, then, a natural break between the first series of lectures (Chapters I–X in this book) and the second one (Chapters XI–XX). Apart from the first two chapters, which serve as an introduction, the first series sets the problem of the varieties of mystical experience and an attempt is made to find a solution largely from the Indian sources. In the second half of the book a consideration of the Taoist classics forms the link between the ‘solitary’ mysticism of India and the ‘solidary’ vision of Neo-Confucianism. This leads on to a consideration of Zen and through Zen to the medieval Christian mystics. The rest of the book is devoted to a re-appraisal of Christian doctrine in the light of the religions already studied and of the thought of some ‘fringe’ Catholics of the recent past from Rousseau to Bernanos and Teilhard de Chardin. The ‘golden thread’ that binds the book together is St. François de Sales.”

–R. C. Zaehner, Preface to Concordant Discord