Is Vedanta The Future Religion

This is a powerful lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda in San Francisco in 1900. Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, India , it is one of the best books delineating, in brief, the fundamentals of Vedanta in a lucid, authoritative and candid tone.

"Make your own future" is a book which is a subset "BE ONE WITH GOD: A GUIDING LIGHT TO MANKIND" that is compiled from the vast literature of Swami Vivekananda and is intended to lead mankind to their ultimate goal - the ideal of perfection, God. Swami Vivekananda himself said that he will continue to inspire men everywhere until the whole world shall know that it is 'One with God.' The contents of this book are based on this very utterance.

This book presents in the words of Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) a history of Vedanta, the deep exploration of the inner human world going back to the most ancient rishis or seers whose testimony is still revered in India. He traces the tradition up to the beginning of the twentieth century, showing how the dynamics of social structures within Vedanta and the appearance from within Vedanta of traditions such as Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism influenced and molded the tradition. In addition, he studies the impact of the Western, Abrahamic invasions of India that began around the eleventh century CE. These brought to bear on Vedanta a worldview which operated on the assumption that the physical world was the primary reality and that the kind of radical exploration of the inner world embraced by Vedanta was highly suspect and not valid. The Vedantic tradition adapted in many different ways, producing a variety of philosophical positions that are still extant today. Along with these traditions went various forms of yoga or self-transformation, in Vedanta the key to experiencing the inner meaning of not only philosophy, but also of our human condition, and of reality itself. This tradition presents four contexts of experience (chatushpad), suggesting the “right brain” mode of approach as described by Iain McGilchrist (2009). Under the influence of Shri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) Vivekananda gained access to vijnana or a knowledge higher than those classically described and known in the chatushpad. Vijnana permitted the acceptance of not only the traditional, deeply experiential truths of Vedanta, but also of the validity of Western materialism when seen as related to each other on a continuum of consciousness to be traversed by contemporary forms of yoga. I see the result as a resolution of “right-left” brain conflict à la McGilchrist and thereby a model for universal human understanding, conciliation and co-operation. In my introduction I attempt to show how the whole picture can be related both experientially and conceptually to matrices of consciousness developed in India as far back as the early medieval period. A large glossary and index-cum concordance indicate the various contexts and depths of thought that emerge from Vivekananda’s multi-contextual vijnana.

PREFACE. THE Author of this very practical treatise on Scotch Loch - Fishing desires clearly that it may be of use to all who had it. He does not pretend to have written anything new, but to have attempted to put what he has to say in as readable a form as possible. Everything in the way of the history and habits of fish has been studiously avoided, and technicalities have been used as sparingly as possible. The writing of this book has afforded him pleasure in his leisure moments, and that pleasure would be much increased if he knew that the perusal of it would create any bond of sympathy between himself and the angling community in general. This section is interleaved with blank shects for the readers notes. The Author need hardly say that any suggestions addressed to the case of the publishers, will meet with consideration in a future edition. We do not pretend to write or enlarge upon a new subject. Much has been said and written-and well said and written too on the art of fishing but loch-fishing has been rather looked upon as a second-rate performance, and to dispel this idea is one of the objects for which this present treatise has been written. Far be it from us to say anything against fishing, lawfully practised in any form but many pent up in our large towns will bear us out when me say that, on the whole, a days loch-fishing is the most convenient. One great matter is, that the loch-fisher is depend- ent on nothing but enough wind to curl the water, -and on a large loch it is very seldom that a dead calm prevails all day, -and can make his arrangements for a day, weeks beforehand whereas the stream- fisher is dependent for a good take on the state of the water and however pleasant and easy it may be for one living near the banks of a good trout stream or river, it is quite another matter to arrange for a days river-fishing, if one is looking forward to a holiday at a date some weeks ahead. Providence may favour the expectant angler with a good day, and the water in order but experience has taught most of us that the good days are in the minority, and that, as is the case with our rapid running streams, -such as many of our northern streams are, -the water is either too large or too small, unless, as previously remarked, you live near at hand, and can catch it at its best. A common belief in regard to loch-fishing is, that the tyro and the experienced angler have nearly the same chance in fishing, -the one from the stern and the other from the bow of the same boat. Of all the absurd beliefs as to loch-fishing, this is one of the most absurd. Try it. Give the tyro either end of the boat he likes give him a cast of ally flies he may fancy, or even a cast similar to those which a crack may be using and if he catches one for every three the other has, he may consider himself very lucky. Of course there are lochs where the fish are not abundant, and a beginner may come across as many as an older fisher but we speak of lochs where there are fish to be caught, and where each has a fair chance. Again, it is said that the boatman has as much to do with catching trout in a loch as the angler. Well, we dont deny that. In an untried loch it is necessary to have the guidance of a good boatman but the same argument holds good as to stream-fishing...

"It may be that I shall find it good to get outside of my body — to cast it off like a disused garment. But I shall not cease to work! I shall inspire men everywhere, until the world shall know that it is one with God. " said Swami Vivekananda during the closing days of his life. His idea was to teach unto mankind their divinity and how to make it manifest in every action. These two ideas form the core of this book. This book contains 1863 quotes of Swami Vivekananda which have been divided into 12 chapters namely 1. Make your own future 2. Struggle & Hope 3. Religion & God 4. Know yourselves 5. Universality 6. Day to Day guidance 7. The ideal of service 8. Raja Yoga 9. Karma Yoga 10. Bhakti Yoga 11. Jnana Yoga 12. Practical Vedanta The selection of the quotes have been made in such a way that it can be thought about and incorporated into our daily lives.

"Religion & God" is a book which is a subset of a much larger collection "Be One with God" compiled from the vast literature of Swami Vivekananda and is intended to lead mankind to their ultimate goal - the ideal of perfection, God. This book has 150 selected sayings of Swami Vivekananda on Religion & God. From this book one can get an idea of what religion truly is, what it should be, what is the rationale explanation of Religion and what is the necessity of Religion. It also describes Religion as one of the higher aspirations of man. We also get the holistic idea about God. Swami Vivekananda himself said that he will continue to inspire men everywhere until the whole world shall know that it is 'One with God.' The contents of this book are based on this very utterance.

Works of Swami Vivekananda Volume VII is a great example of this revered Indian philosopher, thinker, and spiritual leader's deep knowledge and spiritual insights. Swami Vivekananda talks about the nature of God, the power of meditation, and the meaning of spiritual experiences in a number of essays, talks, and discourses that make you think. He explains the basic ideas of Vedanta, focusing on how the human soul (Atman) and the cosmic consciousness (Brahman) are always one. The book also gives advice on how to live a purposeful and important life based on practical spirituality. In this amazing book, Swami Vivekananda's timeless lessons continue to inspire readers and encourage them to go on a deep inner journey of self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment.

In the profound tapestry of Lectures and Discourses-IV, the revered Swami Vivekananda weaves a spellbinding narrative that intertwines timeless wisdom with practical guidance, illuminating the path toward self-realization and societal transformation. Within its pages, readers are transported to a realm of intellectual stimulation and spiritual enlightenment. The author fearlessly addresses diverse topics, from the nature of the mind and the power of concentration to the importance of education and social harmony. With a commanding presence and eloquent articulation, Swami Vivekananda's teachings inspire individuals to embrace their inherent divinity, realize their true potential, and transcend the limitations imposed by society or circumstance. The novel serves as a spiritual compass, guiding seekers on a transformative journey of self-discovery, empathy, and the realization of universal oneness.