Here is my take on THE ABBOT"S GUIDE. I think I should go by its contents essay/chapter by essay/chapter.
1. The Abbot's Guide; is a backward glance of the path as traversed by author. Mostly traditional but detailed first hand account. Gives some of the rationale of the seeker and the facts of the Goal sought.
2. An Essya on the Qliphoth: namely, the wicked entities unto which we are prey.: the Six Bardos are the background in which the effluent forces of disrupted states menace us. The way to balance and safety are discussed.
3. Come to Silence.: The way of the Silent Gentle person who is beyond striving. Includes rules for living and being well.
4.Broadly Defined: humanity, history, and the practice of politics.: "History is a war of ideas. There are no 'right' ideas." The search for truth as an essential component of history and politics. Includes Utopian principles and the idea that communications are being misused to deceive and not used to persuade.
5. Prudence.: A sketch of basic personal security.
6. Total Self-care.: How wellness is a commonsense use of the house and a disciplined result from a synergy of that use.
7. The pursuit of happiness.: Aristotle updated? Rather reified. It is maintained that ethics fills the gaps in our arts and sciences and in our decision-making.
8. Preparations for death.: The authors program to make death a little less frightening and more managable. Good advice on the art of dying.
9. Strewn thoughts.: Aphorism on a wide range of topics.
10. Studies in New Testament demonology.: Jesus' way of handling evil spirits with a nod to the protective efforts of the Church.
11. Essays on the Way.: First hand account of mystic experiences close enough to the event as to be remembered without decay and after the process of digestion has occurred.
12.Stories of Lang's exploits.: Arabian Nights-esque fare mostly suited to juvenile tastes--no violence or sex--and magical solutions. Heroes are a magician and his friend in the East.
13. The Museum of all faiths.: Somewhat weird story of initiation.
14. The Humpty Dumpty Killer: a mystery on 64 squares.; A killers journals and then the twists and turns begin. Included is a short treaise on chess. Useful as the metaphors of chess resound throughout the story. The title seems to refer to putting together the pieces of a puzzle/crime/mind game. Detective must battle madness as well as criminals and doubt before the surprise solution.
15. The Edict of Cassandra Nil.; A possible future wherein technology and religion conflict until a utopian ending is reached. Speaks more about today than tomorrow, as usual for SciFi.
Quite a thinking man's (or woman's)collection.

This bbok is a collection of non-fiction, mostly Eastern religious/mysticism and some western philosophy--with a treatise on New Testament demonology thrown in, and sevearl fictional works. A magician for the juveniles, a story of initiation, a murder mystery cum puzzle called the Humpty Dumpty Killer that includes a short, intermediate level treatise on chess much as a book within a book within a Book. There is also an attempted sci-fi sketch that deals with a possible future that has a s much to say about the present.
It is writings from the pen of an admittedly non-English-major. But who has an obvious need to express diverse ideas and give us all the benefit of a wide experience if somewhat off the beaten track. Find God with R. Anand and then sit back and relax with some stories to impress similar ideas. A challenge in parts, if you don't play chess, if religion bores you, or if you already know everything about evrything. The title represents the concept of a guidebook for the living who seeks to guide others. You decide. I use it to inspire me.