Realizing God: Lectures on Vedanta

by Prabhavananda

An edited collection of the lectures of Swami Prabhavananda from 1935-1976. The talks cover many spiritual topics given to Westerners while living in the United States. The Swami had an extraordinary ability to make even the most subtle of enigmatic ideas exciting and comprehensible. He contributed a great deal to the understanding of Vedanta in the West and also facilitated a better understanding of all the religions of the world.

Swami Prabhavananda (December 26, 1893 July 4, 1976) was an Indian philosopher monk of the Ramakrishna Order, and religious teacher. Born in India, he joined the Ramakrishna Order after graduating from Calcutta university in 1914. He was initiated by Swami Brahmananda. In 1923, he was sent to the United States of America. Initially he worked as an assistant minister of the Vedanta Society of San Francisco. After two years, he established the Vedanta Society of Portland. In December 1929, he moved to Los Angeles where he founded the Vedanta Society of Southern California in 1930. Under his administration the Vedanta Society of Southern California grew over the years to become the largest Vedanta Society in the West, with monasteries in Hollywood and Trabuco Canyon and convents in Hollywood and Santa Barbara. Swami Prabhavananda was a scholar who authored a number of books on Vedanta and Indian religious scriptures and commentary. He was assisted on several of the projects by Christopher Isherwood or Frederick Manchester. His comprehensive knowledge of philosophy and religion attracted such disciples as Aldous Huxley and Gerald Heard. Swami Prabhavananda died on the bicentennial of America's independence, July 4, 1976, and on the 74th anniversary of the death, or mahasamadhi, of Swami Vivekananda

490 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2010

About the author

Swami Prabhavananda was an Indian philosopher, monk of the Ramakrishna Order, and religious teacher.

Born in India, he joined the Ramakrishna Order after graduating from Calcutta university in 1914. He was initiated by Swami Brahmananda.
In 1923, he was sent to the United States of America. Initially he worked as an assistant minister of the Vedanta Society of San Francisco. After two years, he established the Vedanta Society of Portland. In December 1929, he moved to Los Angeles where he founded the Vedanta Society of Southern California in 1930.
Under his administration the Vedanta Society of Southern California grew over the years to become the largest Vedanta Society in the West, with monasteries in Hollywood and Trabuco Canyon and convents in Hollywood and Santa Barbara.
Swami Prabhavananda was a scholar who authored a number of books on Vedanta and Indian religious scriptures and commentary. He was assisted on several of the projects by Christopher Isherwood or Frederick Manchester. His comprehensive knowledge of philosophy and religion attracted such disciples as Aldous Huxley and Gerald Heard.
Swami Prabhavananda died on the bicentennial of America's independence, July 4, 1976, and on the 74th anniversary of the death, or mahasamadhi, of Swami Vivekananda, the founder of the Ramakrishna Order in India and many of the Vedanta centers in America and Europe.
Christopher Isherwood wrote a book, My guru and his disciple,[3] that described his more than three decades (1939–76) as a student of Swami Prabhavananda

Reviews

[Aira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compiled from the Swami's lectures, the book delves into the heart of Vedanta philosophy, offering a profound exploration of the concept of God and the path to spiritual realization. One of the book's key strengths is Prabhavananda's remarkable ability to bridge the gap between Eastern wisdom and Western understanding.

He uses clear and engaging language, often employing metaphors and anecdotes, to illuminate complex philosophical concepts. Even for readers unfamiliar with Vedanta, the core message – the potential for each individual to experience the divine within – resonates deeply. The book doesn't shy away from challenging questions. It tackles issues like reconciling the existence of a single God with the presence of diverse religions, and explores the nature of reality and illusion (maya) in the journey towards enlightenment.

Overall, "Realizing God" is a thought-provoking and inspiring book. It offers a unique perspective on the nature of God and the human potential for spiritual awakening. While some readers may find the philosophical discussions demanding, Prabhavananda's engaging style and the universality of his message make this a worthwhile exploration for anyone on a spiritual quest.

[Boudhayan Dutta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very good insight of the Sanatana Dharma and how it should be practiced.