The Early History Of The Ramakrishna Movement

This humble work is an honest attempt to briefly study how Sri Ramakrishna's mission proceeded particularly during its early years towards fulfillment and in the process how The Ramakrishna Movement grew and developed in the early days. One charming feature of the book is the number of photos, illustrations and maps which explain the texts. This book will surely become the authoriatative source book for anyone doing research on the Ramakrishna Movement.

"This important book fills a gap in our knowledge.... Highly recommended."Â -- Library Journal "... highly recommended... " -- Choice "With admirable clarity and remarkable brevity, Jackson surveys the history of the movement and raises... important issues... " -- The Journal of American History An important history of the Ramakrishna movement, the very first and in many ways the most important Asian religious group to appear in the United States.

This work explores how colonial India imagined human and divine figures to battle the nature and locus of sovereignty.

Stories of Vedanta Monks presents the reminiscences of the Second-Generation Monks of the Ramakrishna Order. The monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna constitute the first generation; their disciples in turn constitute the second. The second-generation monks had not seen Sri Ramakrishna. Nevertheless, they met many of the first-generation monks who had lived with Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda. Just as the direct impact of the Holy Trio on the life and character of the first-generation monks is marked and distinct, so is the impact of the first generation of monks on the second. They are repositories of invaluable information about Sri Ramakrishna, his monastic disciples, and the glorious traditions of the Ramakrishna Order. The author, Swami Chetanananda, had close associations with some of these monks and has put on record the information that he gathered from them. In and through the life events of these monks, we find brahmavidya (Knowledge of Brahman) pervading their thoughts, speech, and actions in so many ways. The behavioural standards set by them and sacred traditions followed in the Ramakrishna monasteries also stand revealed. When carefully protected and passed on to the next generation, it is these living traditions and practices that become the conduit for the spiritual force and Divine knowledge that emanated from Sri Ramakrishna to pass on and enrich one and all. Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication branch of Ramakrishna Math. Belur, this is volume 1 of the reminiscences and is a translation of the Bengali title ‘Prachin Sadhuder Katha – Vol. 1

This classic work of research published by Advaita Ashrama, a Publication centre of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, India, brings under a single volume around 600 persons inspired by the ideals of Sri Ramakrishna and his disciples. Notable personalities whose connection with the Vedanta Movement in the West is delineated include Aldous Huxley, Arnold Toynbee, Albert Einstein, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Carl Jung, Mark Twain, J D Salinger and Joseph Campbell among others. For the scholars it is a mine of information presented precisely, and for the devotees of Ramakrishna, it is an inspiring account of western admiration for Ramakrishna and his disciples. (Pdf version).

What is the meaning of our life? What is the relevance of Swami Vivekananda and his teaching's in today’s fast-paced world? Are religion and spirituality the same? When Deepak and Dipali arrive in Dehradun to meet their childhood friend Jayant, they bring with them a monk. His addition in the mix ensures a rather unusual route of conversation on spirituality. Stories that are both thought-provoking and interesting emerge from the perspective of ancient Indian ethos rather than philosophy or theism. When Jayant reveals that he is, in fact, currently writing a book on Swami Vivekananda, the discussion turns deeper with relevant questions on the meaning (of life), vision, work, organization, leader as mentor, and reality. The protagonists navigate their way through the tributaries of humanism, philosophy, religion, and management and try to find answers to questions that Vivekananda himself grappled with. Written in an easy conversational manner, you will be extolled on not taking anything at face value but to choose your own path of truth. This book leaves you with a feeling of optimism and self-belief.