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The Eternal Companion
Follow some spiritual discipline for at least three years, and then, if you find you have made no tangible progress, you may come back and slap my face. With these startling words, Swami Brahmananda urges us to practice spiritual living. The swami's words come from many years associating with Sri Ramakrishna, the great saint of India. We find here a treasure house of direction and inspiration. This title is indeed a guidebook for spiritual practices.
- GenresSpirituality
302 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
34 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Prabhavananda
76 books65 followersSwami 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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August 9, 2023Extremely useful guidebook for spiritual practice.
Slightly more than half the book contains the biography and reminiscences of Swami Brahmananda. The rest of the book contains his teachings that are highly inspiring. The teachings are in the form of elaborate answers to questions from various disciples. Repetitions of some instructions highlight the importance of those very clearly.
The book is full of practical tips that can immensely help spiritual seekers.
Slightly more than half the book contains the biography and reminiscences of Swami Brahmananda. The rest of the book contains his teachings that are highly inspiring. The teachings are in the form of elaborate answers to questions from various disciples. Repetitions of some instructions highlight the importance of those very clearly.
The book is full of practical tips that can immensely help spiritual seekers.
January 6, 2025
The closing line by Swami Brahmananda says it all:
"Never lose faith in yourself. The Lord will do everything for you. Have faith in him. Repeat his name. He will reveal the truth to you. Do not be restless. Have patience, and go on struggling. Struggle, and you will surely reach the Reality. Waste no more precious time in unnecessary thoughts or metaphysical speculations. Pray to the Lord that cravings may never arise in you. The Lord's grace shines upon all. Strive a little and your eyes will open to his grace.
Why did God create us? So that we may love him."
"Never lose faith in yourself. The Lord will do everything for you. Have faith in him. Repeat his name. He will reveal the truth to you. Do not be restless. Have patience, and go on struggling. Struggle, and you will surely reach the Reality. Waste no more precious time in unnecessary thoughts or metaphysical speculations. Pray to the Lord that cravings may never arise in you. The Lord's grace shines upon all. Strive a little and your eyes will open to his grace.
Why did God create us? So that we may love him."
September 15, 2018
A great handbook on hindu religion as enjoined by the disciple of Sri ramakrishna. Such great men are not born everyday.
October 29, 2020
Valuable spiritual advice.
August 14, 2018
As the name aptly suggests it truly is a 10 star rated Eternal Companion. A step by step guide to meditation and jappa.
The first part takes us through Maharaj's life and achievements, followed by Q&A's with devotees, composed by his ardent disciple Swami Prabhavananda, a scholar in his own right who was instrumental in setting up Vedanta academies, across the US during the turn of the last century.
This book is not just a 'must read' but also something one would want to carry as a pocket reference at all times.
The first part takes us through Maharaj's life and achievements, followed by Q&A's with devotees, composed by his ardent disciple Swami Prabhavananda, a scholar in his own right who was instrumental in setting up Vedanta academies, across the US during the turn of the last century.
This book is not just a 'must read' but also something one would want to carry as a pocket reference at all times.
October 2, 2020
This book resonates with the spirituality of the subject and the writer. The life story of Swami Brahmananda, written by one of his disciples. Brahmananda was recognized by Sri Ramakrishna as an eternal playmate of Krishna. He was a truly spiritual man. This book is a treasure worth reading reading over and over again.
October 10, 2017
A beautiful book which has answers for a spiritual seeker's questions.
It is a must read book for serious spiritual seekers. Some answers given by Swamiji really helped me in resolving my doubts. A beautiful book.
It is a must read book for serious spiritual seekers. Some answers given by Swamiji really helped me in resolving my doubts. A beautiful book.
July 16, 2019
Good book if you want to know about Swami Brahmananda.
However, I would recommend to finish complete works of Swami Vivekananda before picking up any other book of Swami of Ramakrishna order.
However, I would recommend to finish complete works of Swami Vivekananda before picking up any other book of Swami of Ramakrishna order.
February 15, 2023
This is framed as a guidebook for spiritual practice, and it really is: lots of Q&A at the end, reflections by different devotees. Really beautiful.
January 8, 2024
Good guide to starting spiritual practice in the Vedantic tradition.
September 29, 2013
One of my favorite books that I reread almost every year. Swami Brahmananda is such a great teacher and Swami Prabhavananda as his direct disciple has many great stories of his guru.
February 11, 2014
Amazing book in the path towards eternity!!Very simple and very powerful and very explanatory.
April 23, 2019
Has been my eternal companion...since the day I chanced upon it
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews