Way of the Hero

by Vivekananda

In achieving spiritual freedom through everyday activity, the aim is to progressively remove attachments by learning the art of remaining balanced in success and failure. In our everyday lives, we're driven into the external world by one thought after another, generally contaminated by strong likes and dislikes. But when action is done without addictive expectations, we free up psychic energy. As an instrument of God, or by remaining in the present moment, action becomes elevated. Eventually our mind rises above its likes and dislikes as consciousness calms down and rests in inner peace. Spirit is everywhere and a calm mind inevitably perceives this higher Reality.

296 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2005

About the author

"Arise Awake and Stop not til the goal is reached"

Vivekananda left a body of philosophical works (see Vivekananda's complete works). His books (compiled from lectures given around the world) on the four Yogas (Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga) are very influential and still seen as fundamental texts for anyone interested in the Hindu practice of Yoga. His letters are of great literary and spiritual value. He was also considered a very good singer and a poet.By the time of his death, He had composed many songs including his favorite Kali the Mother. He used humor for his teachings and was also an excellent cook. His language is very free flowing. His own Bengali writings stand testimony to the fact that he believed that words - spoken or written - should be for making things easier to understand rather than show off the speaker or writer's knowledge.

Swami Vivekananda [ স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ ] (1863 – 1902), born Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, and bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion.

Born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Kolkata, West Bengal, India)