Excerpts from 'An Introduction': The word philosophy means, at least, study of beliefs regarding God, existence, conduct, etc. and man's relation with the universe....But to restrict the word to this connotation and speak of Vedanta as philosophy would not even half express what Vedanta means. It is all this of course, plus a lot more. The Indian term for the Indian concept of this thing is "darshana", i.e. visualisation of Truth....Vedanta darshana means the art and science of bidding good-bye forever to the notion of grief and sorrow, and inviting in its stead a permanent state of balance, bliss and peace....This Vedanta thing is not an integral part of any particular religion; yet it is exactly what all the doctors have ordered. A few cc. of it injected in any religion would be real shot in the arm, and vitalise it all the more... What is laid down here is by no means "new". It has been with us for many thousand years. The only newness can be in the manner of its presentation. Try its flavour. It may do you a whole world of good, and no harm at all...This little book is a primer in catechism form. Things are only hinted at here by way of an aperitif. The only thing it asks for is brains, and readiness to use them without prejudice.
