‘DARE TO BE FREE, DARE TO GO AS FAR AS THE THOUGHT LEADS, AND DARE TO CARRY THAT OUT IN YOUR LIFE.’ – SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
A reformer and spiritual leader who was a key figure in the revival of Hinduism and in introducing it to the western world, Swami Vivekananda has been an inspiration to people globally. He stood for fearless and all-round leadership success, and his teachings and writings have had a profound impact on many prominent leaders. The pages of this book are filled with the deepest insights of this great mystic genius, and with the author’s unique take on them. Imbibe the lessons delineated in this book, and you will see that everything—from good leadership capabilities, limitless personal excellence, to well-being in every part of life—will be yours.
About the Author
Pranay is a mystic philosopher. He is an expert on Indian and world spirituality. Pranay’s modules on ‘Advanced Spirituality for Leadership and Success’ (PowerTalks/MysticTalks for public and corporate audiences) have won global acclaim. Pranay is also a theatre personality and playwright. His original productions such as From Kabir to Kavi and Soul Stir have been acclaimed by world luminaries for their path-breaking spiritual content. Pranay and his partner Sohini run the socio-cultural philanthropic commune TAS, whose initiatives such as ‘Theatre Against Drugs’ (for addicts), ‘Geetimalya’ (for underprivileged children) and ‘Shohaag’ (for women empowerment) are well-known and have become movements. Presently, Pranay is collating his discourses on mind-body-spirit themes for various book series. Connect with him on his website: pranay.org
Who are the leaders? In a simple definition, leaders are those who lead a group of people or organization. However, leadership is not just leading some group of people, but various things needed to understand the concept of leadership. Learning leadership has become quite a trend nowadays but what are the deepest things you need to become a leader is mostly absent in various articles and videos. Leadership is a process to motivate others to do something right. The author of this book is a mystic philosopher and he has written five different books to explain leadership, this book is one of them. For the past few months, I have been reading various articles, watching various videos to help me understand what true leadership is, and this book came at the right time. This was a very helpful read for me and keep on reading to know why you should pick this book.
Summary:
Swami Vivekanand, who doesn’t know him. He was the one who introduced Vedant and Hinduism to the western world. He was a monk who had valuable knowledge about spirituality. However, how can spirituality and leadership be related to each other? This is what you will get to know in this book.
This book runs to 126 pages, but each page is filled with utmost knowledge. The book starts with a brief introduction to Swami Vivekanand. The book has 21 chapters to help readers understand how spirituality is an inseparable part of leadership. I am going to explain few chapters here which I liked the most.
‘Don’t get restricted by ideologies’ whenever, we cage our mind to a certain ideology we do not want to understand the wider aspect, this is what Vivekanand says that do not constraint yourself with any ideology. Vedanta itself is something that encourages you to ‘unstick’ yourself from ideology. Leaders should be ready to understand and accept different ideologies.
‘The mightier warrior is in a higher state of consciousness’ Vivekanand has given much importance to have a clear consciousness which helps leaders to crack any problems. Giving an example of the Kurukshetra war and Lord Krishna’s discourse, where Arjun had a clear consciousness, the author explains why one needs to have a higher state of consciousness.
‘Take work as play (Leela)’ According to Vivekanand, the work he was doing was done by divine power and he is just a channel. With this, the author is trying to say that one should renounce his/her attachment to the work, which many a time leads to an ego that we are doing the work.
‘The Test is Peace (inner and outer)’ According to Vivekanand, having inner peace is very important in leadership as one needs to first find inner peace. With this, the person also needs to maintain outer peace in the world. In his whole life, he tried doing this. The work we are doing ultimately needs to give inner peace to us.
‘Rely on your individuality, not on your ego’ I believe, this is one of the important factors of true leadership. If a leader doesn’t have an ego then he/she has a clean slate which makes them feel their inner light and accept others.
‘Realize your worthiness (Atma-Mulya)’ According to Vivekanand, one should understand that they are worthy to the universe. This worthiness makes leaders, win or accept defeat. We need to recognize our inner strength.
‘Give from your heart’ Vivekanand always encouraged selfless service and he had transformed the lives of millions of people. The art of charismatic leadership is the ability to share your inner light. Whatever task he/she is taking needs to be done by heart.
I can go on write endless pages, but I don’t want to write everything here, instead, I request you to pick this book to know more.
Writing style:
Though it is an informative book based on spirituality, I didn’t feel any boredom or stoppers in between. The author has beautifully written this book, the writing is lyrical which hooks the readers till the last.
My perception:
This book is one of those books which I am never going to get rid of because I want to pass it to my children. In this world when leadership is often misunderstood and people blindly follow anyone, this book gives a clear picture of true leadership. I never highlight in the paperback book as it is my habit to keep them as new as possible, however, for this book I highlighted many lines which I am going to write in my reading journal. While reading the book, I felt how wonderful and knowledgeable person Vivekanand was. The interpretation of the author on his work and speeches are simply beautiful. However, you can’t read this book in one or two sittings. You need to read and grasp this book slowly.
If you are interested to learn about leadership and then I highly recommend this book.
Everything you need is within you. just believe in yourself. & Meditate.
Need not read this book. This is about what what what and what could happen with this and that. Is superficial book lacking indepth analysis or context by a fan.
Vivekananda: Spirituality for Leadership and Success by Pranay is an inspiring exploration of Swami Vivekananda’s teachings, reframed to address the challenges and opportunities of modern leadership. The author delves into ancient Vedantic principles and distills them into practical guidelines for success, resonating with readers from diverse walks of life—from entrepreneurs to spiritual seekers.
Overview and Structure The book is organized into 21 succinct chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of leadership and personal development. Pranay’s approach is methodical: he presents Vivekananda’s ideas sequentially, making it easier for readers to grasp and apply these principles in their everyday lives. By breaking down complex spiritual concepts into actionable insights, the book serves as both a philosophical treatise and a practical leadership manual.
Key Themes and Teachings Inner Strength and Self-Worth: Pranay emphasizes the idea of realizing one’s inner potential or atma-mulya—the inherent self-worth that lies within. Drawing from Vivekananda’s teaching that “infinity is your inner being,” the book encourages readers to tap into their unlimited potential and not be constrained by fear or self-doubt.
Courage, Faith, and Resilience: One of the central tenets of the book is the importance of courage. Vivekananda’s teaching on fearlessness is highlighted as a fundamental quality for any leader. The book also discusses the power of faith—not just in a religious sense, but as a trust in one’s abilities and the larger purpose of life. This blend of courage and faith is portrayed as essential for overcoming challenges and achieving success.
Detachment and the Concept of ‘Leela’: Another significant insight is the emphasis on detachment. The book discusses the concept of leela—viewing work and life as a divine play. By detaching from ego and the need for external validation, leaders can approach their tasks with clarity and joy. This perspective helps in maintaining balance and humility, which are crucial for sustained success.
Application of Ancient Wisdom to Modern Leadership: The narrative goes beyond personal growth by linking historical influences to contemporary leadership. Pranay cites examples of influential figures such as Jamshedji Tata, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett, illustrating how Vivekananda’s ideas have shaped their philanthropic and business philosophies. This contextualization bridges the gap between ancient spiritual insights and current leadership challenges.
Writing Style and Presentation Pranay’s writing is clear, direct, and accessible. Despite the depth of the subject matter, the language remains engaging and free from overly esoteric jargon, making it suitable for both seasoned spiritual enthusiasts and newcomers to the world of Vedanta. The book’s structure—presenting insights in bite-sized chapters—allows for easy reading and reflection. Many readers have praised the book for its sequential presentation of ideas and its ability to transform abstract spiritual concepts into tangible leadership strategies.
Strengths Timeless Relevance: The core teachings of Swami Vivekananda are presented in a manner that is both timeless and immediately applicable to modern challenges. This blend of ancient wisdom with contemporary scenarios makes the book a unique resource for personal and professional development.
Practical Application: Each chapter not only explains a spiritual concept but also offers actionable advice for applying these ideas in real life. The emphasis on qualities like courage, resilience, and self-belief serves as a practical guide for aspiring leaders.
Inspirational Narratives: The book is interspersed with anecdotes and historical examples that illustrate the transformative power of Vivekananda’s teachings. These narratives serve to motivate readers and provide concrete evidence of how these principles have been successfully applied by some of the world’s most influential figures.
While the book has been widely appreciated, some readers feel that it could have benefited from a deeper exploration of Vivekananda’s personal journey—especially his relationship with his guru, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Including more detailed anecdotes and personal experiences from Vivekananda’s life might have provided a richer context to the philosophical insights. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall value of the book as a leadership manual.
Conclusion Vivekananda: Spirituality for Leadership and Success is a commendable work that succeeds in making profound spiritual wisdom accessible and relevant for today’s leaders. By combining timeless principles with modern examples, Pranay offers a roadmap to both personal and professional fulfillment. Whether you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills or seeking inspiration for personal growth, this book provides valuable insights that encourage you to harness your inner strength and approach life with clarity and determination.
Overall, the book is a must-read for anyone eager to blend spirituality with success in a balanced, impactful way.
The cover of this book is minimalistic yet attractive, the graphic impression of Swami Vivekananda looks amazing. Having read 2 books in this series by Pranay, I’ve understood that even though the books being named Vivekananda, Gita, Hinduism etc, they are insights about leadership teachings derived from these people and religions, these books are not biographies about them. Anyone who buys this book thinking that he would get to know more about Vivekanda’s life from start to end would be quite disappointed as this book is more about leadership qualities which we can Learn from Swami Vivekananda.
So keeping this thing in my mind, I read this book and I must say, it offers a lot of teachings which can up your leadership game in any field.
Author Pranay starts the book stating how Swami Vivekananda has influenced not only Indians but people worldwide. From Dr. John D. Rockefeller to Nikola Tesla, everyone owes a part of their success to the priceless teachings from Swami Vivekananda. He explains how Jamshethji Tata created Easter World’s most pioneering scientific research institute apart from putting his mind to modern industry after having a detailed conversation with Vivekananda. How the charitable nature of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are hugely influenced by Swami Vivekanda’s teachings is also stated in this book. Writer explains why Swami believed that confirming to Ideologies leads to inferiority complex because it limits a person’s actions and thoughts. Vivekananda believed that being free of ideologies enables a person to look at challenges with more open mind and come with more tailored precise solutions.
Dare to be free, dare to go as far as the thoughts lead, and dare to carry that out in your life.
Swami Vivekananda I really liked a line from the book-‘Real religion lies in renouncing our attachment to our work.’, The book says that our work is actually just a small part of a greater goal of cosmos. Swami believed the concept of Leela by Lord Krishna, which says that everything we do is a playful of the divine, and we are only the channels though which this play is enacted. Having this belief allows us to enjoy our work as it being a play of the universe. Swami believed that whenever we complete a work, we should terminate the feeling of doing something great, or it may result in ego. It should be done without a sense of ‘doership’. This really made sense. I completely agree that lot of people at work are egoistic about completing certain tasks which require greater expertise, I think they should be humble about it and teach others as well so that the task becomes more achievable for the whole team.
There are lot of such great eye opening lessons in this book which really makes you question lot of your past beliefs. e.g in one of the chapters the authors states about Vivekananda’s Vedantic credo i.e. He believed that truly great people no matter in what spheres of life always have a sense of detachment. This creates a sense of clarity and dynamism. He further explains how being possessive obstructs you from being open to change. How possessiveness leads to fights with your own thoughts. This can also be evidently seen in many breaking relationships. The main reason behind their breaking is being super possessive.
There are many such great lessons to learn from this book such as Why it is important to rely on your individuality and not your ego, how to realize your own potential/ worthiness( in swami’s language – ‘Atma Mulya’, The power of sharing with open heart, how love is the greatest secret of leadership charisma and much more.
Dare to be free, dare to go as far as the thought leads, and dare to carry that out in your life. First, have a belief in that which is real. Your own self is real. You have not seen God, believe in the real and palpable form of yourself. Have faith in your own being. This is the very essence of Vedanta. It says that only through self faith can you have faith in the vaster, in the larger, in God. Never think you are weak. The beauty is once you attain a higher state of consciousness, you do not lose it. It becomes your real treasure. It becomes the most sacred and holy thing in life. Then all that you touch becomes luminous! Do not be enamoured only by the glitter and glamour of the world. Rather try to make the glamour of your inner world so bright, that you don't even need religion or spirituality to guide you. You become your own guide! And when you do that, you can be said to have truly evolved. The beauty is once you attain a higher state of consciousness, you do not lose it. It becomes your real treasure. It becomes the most sacred and holy thing in life. Then all that you touch becomes luminous! Do not be enamoured only by the glitter and glamour of the world. Rather try to make the glamour of your inner world so bright, that you don't even need religion or spirituality to guide you. You become your own guide! And when you do that, you can be said to have truly evolved. Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. So the true visionary does not give up. He persists even though the face of opposition is there against him. The basic principle is: it all begins with the ability to withstand criticism, if at all you are to become a true visionary in life. If you can bring this quality of being deeply active on the outside but deeply meditative and cool within yourself at the same time, whatever you do will start manifesting the highest quality, values and strengths. Because you become stronger at the roots. No wind can destroy you, because your roots go deep into the soil of yourself. As the samurai in Japan say, the whole of life is a movement towards a glorious death. It is how you live that matters, and not how long you live.
𝗩𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔: 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 by Pranay
Published by: @fingerprintpublishingbooks
Swami Vivekananda used to say that the real test of your work is whether it creates peace (Shanti), both within you and in the world. That is the real measure, the real barometer, of your success in life.
Without peace, success is very superficial. The success which does not lead to a twofold peace (inner and outer cannot be termed a fulfilling or purposeful success. The meaning of purpose' implies that it should take people towards a situation where they can transcend the ordinary and move into the extraordinary. And the most extraordinary thing that action can lead to is the creation of peace. It implies creativity, it implies joy, but it also implies a deeply spiritual quality of awakening our finest values within ourselves.
The book subtly evaluates the spirit and teachings of Vivekananda to infer his leadership qualities and present the valuable enthusiasm for everyone to learn and apply in their daily lifestyle, beautifully exemplifies the outstanding leadership excellence of Swami Vivekananda.
It is an excellent read for understanding the concepts of Self-Love, self-esteem, and for exploration of Universal Love. The author has written in a matter of fact way, as a companion guide that can be read and re-read. Also, the book provides exercises to keep one on the correct track.
Streamlined concepts, thought-provoking and a very colloquial read, which if followed, will make you feel like a better version of yourself.
After seeing the cover and title I thought it will be just a descriptive biography of Swami Vivekanand. But after reading this I git to know how wrong I was! "Vivekananda" by author Pranay is another significant segment of Spirituality For Leadership & Success.
The complete book has been divided into 21 supreme chapters and they all are worthy of reading. Each and every chapter encloses the various life phases of Swami Vivekananda and his leadership qualities. I will suggest this book to young people especially.
Being an example of this generation, I can easily say we are very impatient, for taking a single decision, we fail hundred times! Swami Vivekanand is the perfect Idol for us indeed to encourage our motive in every step of life.
Again author's writing style is very familiar to me. The way he penned down about Viswa Guru, the way he specifies his each and every great characteristics and work is really appreciating. This nonfiction is a treasure for us and it was definitely a great time with this book.
Through the book author presents the teachings of Swami Vivekananda in a beautiful and fresh perspective. He has provided useful insights of the life of Swamiji so that the readers can learn and apply it in their everyday life to attain the success they desire. The insights has been presented sequentially and the use of the right words and expressions makes it easier to grasp.
Key takeaways - • There are 3 essential power principles for leaders that Swami Vivekananda can teach us. The first is courage. The second is faith. And the third is strength. • You are a child of a wondrous cosmos, born to carry out something unique! Never doubt that. • At the very root and core of Swami Vivekananda’s teaching is to have the courage to walk alone. • Quieten your mind. Then all the highest qualities within you find expression. • Take All Work as Play (Leela)!
Vivekananda: Spirituality For Leadership And Success presents the teachings of Swami Vivekananda in a beautiful and fresh perspective. It provides useful insights into the life of Swamiji for the readers to learn and apply in their everyday life to attain the success they desire. The best aspect of the book is that the author has made sure that the insights are presented sequentially and the use of the right words and expressions for presenting them further makes for a great reading experience.
" If you allow yourself to become identified with the play or the show that you are watching, you do not really function out of an inner awareness of who you are". Makes full sense if you read the book but damn 120 pages and I didn't expect to be hit this hard. Ig my very very reductive summary would be that every negative emotion that we harbour stems from fear- be it expectations, failures or unpredictability. And fear is ultimately social conditioning. Let that sink in lol. I get this man's hype 🤪
A beautiful book bringing together the various teachings of Swami Vivekananda. I might end up listening to this more than once to get the main essence. The book is a good read/listen for all who want to understand the way to create a clear mental pathway to achieve success in life. It is quite relatable when you listen to it and there is so much concentrated knowledge in this book.
A must have for all leaders to read and analyse. The book covers at a high level how mysticism and spirituality impacts how a leader leads his or her teams. The book will help anyone who is struggling with loneliness at the top.
A really great book on Vivekananda and his teachings. A life changing experience that connects the age of Vivekananda and the age of AI. Really a good read for the seekers.
If you are looking for metaphysical, this book is not for you. It is more about applying Swami Vivekananda's teachings to become a perfect leader. It does touch upon spirituality but it's more about managing and conducting yourself as a leader. The book however doesn't exactly tell you how to apply the principles it talks about. For example it says don't associate yourself with negative emotions but doesn't tell how to avoid negativity. Or that you must not think you are weak but doesn't speak about how to get rid of that mentality. Maybe keep thinking that you are strong but then it will sound like the Secret by Rhonda. In all, a good book for aspiring leaders but nothing in it for people looking for God.