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LIVING AT THE SOURCE
In 1893, Vivekananda, disciple of the great Indian sage Ramakrishna, achieved notoriety when he appeared at the World Parliament of Religions at the Chicago World's Fair. This selection of the swami's writings speaks directly to contemporary people who seek spirituality in their everyday lives.
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 1993
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528 people want to read
About the author
Vivekananda
1,660 books1,566 followers"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)
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)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 3, 2014
If you want to know about India read swami Vivekananda ...as there is everything good in him nothing bad. -Rabindranath Tagore
Once, I read this book ... I realised the complete meaning of this statement and i realise what is religion for me and why i till wasn't able to follow any particular religion till now.
Powerful stuff..I would say.
Once, I read this book ... I realised the complete meaning of this statement and i realise what is religion for me and why i till wasn't able to follow any particular religion till now.
Powerful stuff..I would say.
January 24, 2025
My takeaways:
Self-Realization: Understand your true self and recognize the divine within.
Inner Strength: Tap into inner resources to overcome challenges.
Service to Humanity: Embrace selfless service as a path to spiritual growth.
Unity of Religions: All religions lead to the same ultimate truth.
Mind Mastery: Control the mind through meditation and discipline.
Detachment: Let go of material desires for spiritual growth.
Fearlessness and Faith: Cultivate courage and believe in your potential.
Self-Realization: Understand your true self and recognize the divine within.
Inner Strength: Tap into inner resources to overcome challenges.
Service to Humanity: Embrace selfless service as a path to spiritual growth.
Unity of Religions: All religions lead to the same ultimate truth.
Mind Mastery: Control the mind through meditation and discipline.
Detachment: Let go of material desires for spiritual growth.
Fearlessness and Faith: Cultivate courage and believe in your potential.
January 19, 2023
Well what shall I say about the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, his teaching would be always invaluable and immortal for the human kind. This book is a very good collection of his teaching by topics. I throughly enjoyed reading the book, and gained immense perspective about this human life, our approach towards life and the society we live in, and towards God.
If one does not have time to read all the nine volumes of Complete works of Swami Vivekananda, or want a book as a ready reckoner to review the core teachings of Swami ji, this is the book one should read and have for easy reference.
If one does not have time to read all the nine volumes of Complete works of Swami Vivekananda, or want a book as a ready reckoner to review the core teachings of Swami ji, this is the book one should read and have for easy reference.
January 24, 2023
the very last page negatively mention astrology for no reason but I love the information in this book about freedom universal love meditation and religion- best book ever so much knowledge in every single word
January 14, 2023
"Living at the Source" is a book written by Swami Vivekananda, which is based on his teachings and philosophy. The book is a collection of transcripts and recordings of the author's talks and discussions on various spiritual and philosophical subjects, with an emphasis on the practical application of these teachings in daily life.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is the author's emphasis on the practical application of spiritual principles. The author stresses that the ultimate goal of spiritual practices is not just to acquire knowledge, but also to apply it in one's daily life. The author provides practical advice on how to live a fulfilling and meaningful life, and how to cultivate inner peace, compassion, and wisdom.
Another notable feature of the book is the author's clear and concise explanations of spiritual concepts and practices. The author does an excellent job of breaking down complex spiritual concepts and making them accessible to the reader. The book is written in a way that is easy to understand, yet it still manages to convey the depth and wisdom of the author's teachings.
The book also explores themes of self-realization, the nature of the self, and the relationship between the individual and the universe. The author's teachings are centered on the idea that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize one's true self, and to understand one's place in the universe. The author's insights into the human mind and behavior make for an engaging and thought-provoking read.
In conclusion, "Living at the Source" is a book that provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. The author's emphasis on the practical application of spiritual principles, as well as his clear and concise explanations of spiritual concepts and practices, make the book an enjoyable and meaningful read. The author's teachings are centered on the idea that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize one's true self, and to understand one's place in the universe, making it a must-read for fans of spiritual philosophy and personal development in general.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is the author's emphasis on the practical application of spiritual principles. The author stresses that the ultimate goal of spiritual practices is not just to acquire knowledge, but also to apply it in one's daily life. The author provides practical advice on how to live a fulfilling and meaningful life, and how to cultivate inner peace, compassion, and wisdom.
Another notable feature of the book is the author's clear and concise explanations of spiritual concepts and practices. The author does an excellent job of breaking down complex spiritual concepts and making them accessible to the reader. The book is written in a way that is easy to understand, yet it still manages to convey the depth and wisdom of the author's teachings.
The book also explores themes of self-realization, the nature of the self, and the relationship between the individual and the universe. The author's teachings are centered on the idea that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize one's true self, and to understand one's place in the universe. The author's insights into the human mind and behavior make for an engaging and thought-provoking read.
In conclusion, "Living at the Source" is a book that provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. The author's emphasis on the practical application of spiritual principles, as well as his clear and concise explanations of spiritual concepts and practices, make the book an enjoyable and meaningful read. The author's teachings are centered on the idea that the ultimate goal of human life is to realize one's true self, and to understand one's place in the universe, making it a must-read for fans of spiritual philosophy and personal development in general.
May 11, 2013
Wow.
I read this book a year or so ago and I just found my copy and have begun reading it again. It was given to me by a very dear, and very spiritual friend from India. The book was as enlightening as promised and extremely interesting if you are into eastern beliefs, or alternative beliefs as a whole. In fact, this is probably the best I've read and I'm told that many easterners feel the same. This is one of the books that will make you consider that all religions come from one truth.
I read this book a year or so ago and I just found my copy and have begun reading it again. It was given to me by a very dear, and very spiritual friend from India. The book was as enlightening as promised and extremely interesting if you are into eastern beliefs, or alternative beliefs as a whole. In fact, this is probably the best I've read and I'm told that many easterners feel the same. This is one of the books that will make you consider that all religions come from one truth.
January 12, 2021
I remember reading this book,while in college.
A fresh first print, priced just 5 Rs. Today it is priced much higher.
I read it again, as I wanted to collect quotes for my project. But I throughly enjoyed reading it. And even think that probably a nice workshop or reflective exericse may be developed surrounding this book. That's next target. !
A fresh first print, priced just 5 Rs. Today it is priced much higher.
I read it again, as I wanted to collect quotes for my project. But I throughly enjoyed reading it. And even think that probably a nice workshop or reflective exericse may be developed surrounding this book. That's next target. !
March 10, 2013
I like vivekananda. This book, though, is kind of a jumbled collection of quotes.
Want to read
January 3, 2015how can we read in this app?
April 9, 2017
This book and in general the Vedanta teachings are eloquently summed by an aphorism, "tat tvam asi" (thou art that).
'Living at the source', verb in its title rightly conveys that essentially the text aids to the reinforcement or certification of ideology of the pursuers of advaita reality, else it could be titled 'Live at the source' had it been a commandment. This book is more about resonating with the ideas mentioned in the book rather than something to look up to.
Chief Beauty of the writings of Swami Vivekananda is his ability to address the teachings so rationally that it encompasses all demography as its potential readers, it has highlighted the radical idea of sects being a wonderful way to serve diverse self-seekers in many vivid ways, in contrast to the mundane contempt for sectarianism.
Some of the key excerpts which stand out for me from the text are:
"First sign, you are becoming religious is you are becoming cheerful."
"Come out into the universe of light. Everything in the universe is yours, stretch out your arms and embrace it with love. If you ever felt you wanted to do that, you have felt god."
"Let not your work produce results for you, at the same time may you never be without work"
"All our fears, all worries, anxieties, troubles, mistakes, weakness, evil are from one great blunder - that we are bodies"
"No matter how you come, prayer, knowledge, power of good actions... all meet at one point being self abnegation"
'Living at the source', verb in its title rightly conveys that essentially the text aids to the reinforcement or certification of ideology of the pursuers of advaita reality, else it could be titled 'Live at the source' had it been a commandment. This book is more about resonating with the ideas mentioned in the book rather than something to look up to.
Chief Beauty of the writings of Swami Vivekananda is his ability to address the teachings so rationally that it encompasses all demography as its potential readers, it has highlighted the radical idea of sects being a wonderful way to serve diverse self-seekers in many vivid ways, in contrast to the mundane contempt for sectarianism.
Some of the key excerpts which stand out for me from the text are:
"First sign, you are becoming religious is you are becoming cheerful."
"Come out into the universe of light. Everything in the universe is yours, stretch out your arms and embrace it with love. If you ever felt you wanted to do that, you have felt god."
"Let not your work produce results for you, at the same time may you never be without work"
"All our fears, all worries, anxieties, troubles, mistakes, weakness, evil are from one great blunder - that we are bodies"
"No matter how you come, prayer, knowledge, power of good actions... all meet at one point being self abnegation"
Want to read
April 23, 2019df
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews