The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna is / was a spiritual superman, as the book clearly illustrates, through this biographical account by one of his disciples who knew him personally. Anyone interested in spirituality, in deepening their own direct experience of God, unbelievers, skeptics and scientists, should all read this book, because it proves that the limit of any one person's experience is not the limit of the Universe. Every person is capable of such unique and different experiences and perspectives that it defies belief. The most important message which I take from this biography of a spiritual superhero, is that every one of us experience exactly according to our convictions. If you are a scientific materialist, that is all you will ever experience, unless and until you change your convictions, of course. If you are an atheist, you cannot know God. You will only experience the dry, barren grounds of your atheism. If you believe in good and evil, you will personally encounter both. If you have a personal conviction in the existence of God, then you cannot fail to encounter Him in all things. So, if all of us are capable of such divine, ecstatic experiences and incomparable happiness, why would we confine ourselves only to dry scientific "facts"? Or to materialism? Doing so is like living the life of a maggot. Each of us is capable of so much more: each of us can soar like an eagle. If you don't want to experience the life of a maggot, all you need to do is to change your convictions: your belief system. And all of this comes from a documentary video known as "The Secret", which illustrates very clearly that each person can only know according to his or her personal convictions. I encourage you to find and watch that video. Then read Ramakrishna's biography, showing you what is possible for you too. God is to be regarded as nearer and dearer to you than your own self: that, combined with your own conviction that He really exists, will lead you to experience Him directly. This is Ramakrishna's message. Why would you want to do that? Because of the incomparable, indescribably meaningful life that this will bestow on you. Be an eagle, not a scientific maggot. Why would any sane person confine himself to the latter? There are at least two biographies of Ramakrishna available from the Amazon Kindle Store. The other one is the Western perspective created by Christopher Isherwood, in "Ramakrishna and his disciples". For the absolute newbie to Eastern mysticism, this may be a better book to start off with, than the current account which assumes a lot of background understanding from the reader, as if though you are a Hindu. After all, the current account was written by an Indian, steeped from birth in the Hindu scriptures. Isherwood, a westerner who lived for many years in California, on the other hand, provides a sufficiently detailed background to make perfect sense of it all. The result is not at all boring, but actually totally absorbing. The other very important message of the Ramakrishna books, including the one under review, is that all religious approaches are equally valid. God can be experienced in the form of Father, Mother, friend, child, animal, a seemingly inanimate stone object (which can bring forth the living Form residing in it), or as the formless Source of the Universe. All these different experiences are equally valid. Christianity is not more, or less valid, than Hinduism, and ditto for Buddhism, Islam, and any other religious path the human mind is capable of encountering. It is a question of personal temperament, where you are in your own life's path right now, preference and personal capacity. In God's world there is a place for every sentient being, and His name is not only Jesus. How does Ramakrishna illustrate that all religious approaches are equally valid? Through his own direct experiences, which defy belief, logic, science and head knowledge of all kinds. That is what makes the current book so incredible, and Isherwood's account too: The pages burn with direct supernormal spiritual experiences and deep conviction, which cannot easily be found in most other books on the subject.

I suspect there is something here for everyone, at any stage of their spiritual journey. Recorded here are Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's simple communication of subtle points. Such depth explained in such simple imagery and narrative, I have not seen anywhere else but here. In some Buddhist and Zen writings there are some parallels that may match his combined depth and simplicity, but his examples and illustrations seem, at least to me, more universally easy to understand.

Extremely in depth, have patience when reading.

This book is an intimate portrait of a holy man. The book is the true story of an Indian saint, Ramakrishna.

I just wanted to have this book as I am interested in Sri Ramakrishna as I consider him as the true God. The contents of the book are difficult for me to understand but it's still very interesting. One thing though it has a small black smudge on the side but I'm still keeping it as I'm too impatient to return and buy a new one.

Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is simply a great work. Based on a journal maintained by one of Ramakrishna's ardent disciples, this is truly a jewel. Credit must also go to Swami Nikhilananda for masterful translation. This 1000 page classic with densely packed text would have been a challenge to read if not for the wisdom and the way the wisdom is presented. It's been so well journaled that it's like getting into a time machine and going back in time to around 1870s to Bengal and meeting spiritual giants such as Ramakrishna, Vivekananda. This book has so much reference to Narendra who went on to become Swami Vivekananda. Here we get to see how Narendra evolved and what challenges he faced. All in all a great classic and readable anytime. Wish it was typecast in little bigger font and spaced out better.

Delightful peek into the world of Sri Ramakrishna. Easy reading and filled with wisdom through humorous parables and his life experiences. There is a free app on android that includes this and an audible version which is great when I am out and about and don't want to lug around 1,000 pages. Overall this is a book that I will turn to often for spiritual inspiration and entertainment.

What can be said about the life of Sri Ramakrishna? The Absolute itself incarnated in a humble abode and taught in such a heart-melting and mind-blowing way that makes you feel that Love and Truth itself is speaking to you in every word that comes out of his mouth. His absolute simplicity, child-like nature, humility, care for others, exemplary life, discipline is so awe inspiring! He IS the Universal Teacher that knows the disposition of every person and the right approach for each one. Together with the Autobiography of a Yogi, this is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. Do not hesitate to buy.

Maravilho e estimulante ter acesso a detalhes e cotidiano de pessoas extraordinárias. Ler Ramakrishsna é um deleite e inspiração para a alma.

The book consists of chapters in which the author wrote about interactions of Shri Ram Krishna Paramhansa with the him and others during various days of his life . The book is full of bhakti . That means, it teaches bhakti yoga ❤️ I ordered this book because in one lecture on YouTube, person said that start ur day with this book , so you Feel devoted , positive and u become spiritual 🙏🏻💞

I can only speak from personal experience but this book could change the whole course of your life. The fact that you're reading these reviews, and thinking about buying this book, means that you are stood at the threshold of a profound and wonderful experience. Don't delay! Buy it now! You will spend many blissful hours sat with the Master in Dakshineswar, and he will enter your heart and reside there forever.

A beautiful gilt-edged hardback volume of a thousand-plus pages whose quality befits the superlative content, the pure essence of Sri Ramakrishna's day-to-day discourses to his disciples during the 1880's, accounts replete with evocative, picturesque details of daily life in 19th century Bengal and Calcutta. The Paramahansa, this saintly Brahmin born in 1836 in the rustic village of Kamarpukur, had imbibed the nectar of Vedantic wisdom from his Saivite guru, had mastered all the sadhanas of the 64 Tantras under the tutelage of his female guru Bhairavi Brahmani and was a true master of the spiritual life, a great Shaktic devotee of Kali dwelling in the temple-complex of Dakshineshwar, a classic God-man and 'mad yogin' in the most ancient traditions of the Arya-Dharma - and yet the great gift of this hallowed Avatar, who was completely illiterate and had never learned to read or write, was his unparalleled ability to impart the most profound instruction and comprehensive ranges of esoteric insight with an exquisite simplicity, conveying the most brilliant expositions via simple, direct metaphors and charming rural teaching-tales. The spiritual 'perfume' of the Paramahansa's presence, his delicious humour and guileless child-like purity come across very clearly. The teachings of Sri Ramakrishna transmitted in the pages of these recorded conversations, providentially and accurately preserved by the faithful Mahendranath Gupta, a meritorious work for which he deserves the heart-felt gratitude of all serious seekers, open onto a veritable ocean of Divine Mercy. This magnificent work is a text which rewards one with the authentic taste of living holiness, transmits deep knowledge and precious instructions upon the Way of God-realisation - again and again Sri Ramakrishna gives us the immortality-bestowing Soma to quench our spiritual thirst, the Chintamani-jewel which fulfils and satisfies our innermost desire for the eternal Wisdom. The tone is one of a delectable simplicity and unrivalled clarity and yet the innermost secrets of the Dharmic teachings are transmitted in full measure, dry scholastic learning is eschewed to instead convey the methodic ways, paths and efficacious supports of initiatic realisation - expositions of unrivalled spiritual-metaphysical depth. 'The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna' in fact constitutes an essential volume, one of the greatest classics and a repository of the esoteric wealth of this great Avataric Incarnation of God, unfolding and revealing for the men and women of this benighted Kali-Yug entangled in the deluding Avidya-Maya of 'woman and gold', the ever-living Light of Sanatan-Dharma - by absorbing oneself in these pages one is transported to the 19th century India of the Raj to experience the most holy privilege of sitting at the lotus-feet of the supreme Guru who is, as the Paramahansa tells us, is none other than Sat-Chit-Ananda. Thus this 'Gospel' is a living treasure to be read and meditated upon through one's whole life, an efficacious means via which the salvific Grace of the 'Supreme Swan', the eternal Guru, is imparted to the soul of the seeker: 'He is born in vain who, having attained the human birth, so difficult to get, does not attempt to realize God in this very life.'

Jai Sri Ramkrishna. I express my gratitude to every pure soul by whose efforts I got this Devine Gospel by the direct grace of my Devine mother. I express my huge gratitude to Sri Ramkrishna Math for blessing with the availability of this holy book in such a subsidized price and best quality of every account of knowledge to spiritual seekers like me. I pray for the dissemination of Master's message to the whole world. May the Devine mother bless the one even reading this token of gratitude 🙏