For beginners.

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

 

Obviously our growing group carries many new entrants who are not fully

acquainted with the philosophy behind the Ramakrishna Math & Mission though

their intention to learn about it is very sincere. I have received some mails

asking for guidance hence this mail.

 

Friends, in the Ramakrishna Math & Mission it is not always possible to get

personal care and guidance from any senior monk of the Order. But we have a vast

literature which is more than enough to guide us in every step. As a first step

let me give you a list of books which you must read thoroughly to get all the

information you seek.

 

1. The Life of Ramakrishna - Advaita Ashrama Publication.

2. The Life of the Holy Mother - Swami Gambhirananda.

3. The Life of Vivekananda - Swami Nikhilananda.

4. The History of the Math & Mission - Swami Gambhirananda.

5. They Lived with God - Swami Chetananada

6. God Lived with Them - Swami Chetananda

7. Ramakrishna as we saw him - Swami Chetananda.

8. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - Swami Nikhilananda

9. The Gospel of the Holy Mother.

10. Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda.

11. The Eternal Companion - (On Swami Brahmananda)

12. For Seekers of God - (On Swami Sivananda)

13. Bhagavad Gita - Swami Tapasyananda.

14. Bhagavat Gita - 3 Vols - Swami Ranganathananda

15. The Eight Upanishads - 2 Vols - Swami Gambhirananda.

16. Spiritual questions & answers - Swami Tapasyananda.

17. Go Forward - Letters of Swami Premeshananda in 2 Vols

18. Letters of Swami Turyiananda.

19. On Spiritual Initiation - Swami Bhuteshananda.

20. Some Guidelines to inner life - Swami Gokulananda.

21. Healthy Mind and Healthy Body - A compilation.

22. Meditation - Monks of the Ramakrishna Order.

23. Bhaja Govindam - Sri Sankaracharya.

24. Viveka Chudamani

25. Self Knowledge - Sri Sankaracharya.

 

All the above are Math Publications.

 

Remember Sri Ramakrishna is the spiritual Guru, Mother is the protector and

Swamiji is the spirit behind the Ramakrishna Mission. You must also be very

thorough with the lives of Swami Brahmananda and Swami Sivananda as they took up

the task of educating the monks and lay devotees alike after the departure of

Swamiji. The works of Swami Yatiswaranandaji, Swami Bhuteshanandaji and Swami

Ranganathanandaji should also be given due importance.

 

The Ramakrishna Mission is not a " Babajis Akhra " quoting the words of Swami

Brahmananda. What is carried out here is a synthesis of all yogas, Jnana Yoga,

Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga. Here there is no effort to immerse

oneself in pranayama and activate the various chakras. One is encouraged to

develop into a better individual and citizen of the country and also the world.

There is no superstition here, no coercion to submit to any particular view.

Each devotee can progress according to his/her latent tendencies by following

the teachings of the Holy Trio.

 

I would urge the new devotees to study the above books thoroughly and make them

the foundation of their spiritual lives. In the beginning of ones spiritual life

it is not good to read various literature of various Sampradayas or

philosophical thinkers. That will only confuse you. Pray to Thakur and immerse

yourself into these books.

 

Remember you are very lucky to have come to the feet of Sri Ramakrishna. He is

the Avatar of this age. As per his own words, it is his teachings that will be

fruitful in this age. Mughal coins have no weightage in the English era he used

to say. Only sincere seekers of God will seek shelter at his feet according to

him. He has promised liberation to all his devotees. His demands are very few

and his promises are vast. He is truly the " patitapabana " , the shelter of both

the good and the wicked, the pure soul as well as the sinner. There is no

qualification required to be his devotee, only a true love and sincere devotion

towards God. He is Sarva Deva Devi Swarupaya and people of all castes/creeds and

religions can find shelter at his feet.

 

Make haste and progress my dear friends. The time is ripe. As Sri Ramakrishna

said, millions will be liberated this time with very little effort, those

failing will have to wait for ages.

 

Love & regards,

Jagannath.

 

 

 

 

 

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