FOREWORD
One of my favorite authors, the late R.C. Zaehner, (Oxford Professor of Comparative Religion and Morals) wrote a good many books on mysticism. One of his books which impressed me very much, entitled Concordant Discord (Oxford at the Clarendon Press: Clarendon Press, 1970), discusses the interdependence of mystical experiences. When a friend suggested that I write about my own experiences and the background of my work in various countries, I reflected on my life and personality and realized that Concordant Discord would be an apt title.
My life and personality are a rather complex amalgamation of discordant factors, but in some way these factors represent some unity in their diversity. I am able to detect a very strong schizothymic factor in my personality--constant internal tension-- which forces me to be creative and discontent with ready-made solutions and answers for life and its problems. Thus, I analyze my life and personality from the various discordant, but at the same time, concordant factors, which were and are characteristic of my whole development and work.
I know that I am not a world-famous person and cannot write an autobiography in the sense of a Richard Nixon or Henry Kissinger (although I doubt whether their autobiographies have any great value), but neither does my life resemble the childish autobiography of Geraldine Ferraro. Perhaps sharing my observations and experiences as a student of the history of philosophy and mysticism, a theologian, psychologist, administrator, and teacher for many years and in several countries, as well as the founder of a school for gifted children, will be interesting or rewarding for my friends and for those who are interested in the complexities of human personality. Thus, I decided to follow my friend's advice and write the experiences of my rather long life.
 

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