Life in Indian Monasteries: Reminiscences About Monks of the Ramakrishna Order

Description

Life in Indian Monasteries is a book of charming, inspirational anecdotes about many of the saintly monks of the Ramakrishna Order of India, founded in 1886 by Swami Vivekananda, in the name of his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna. The stories, written with an insider’s genuine understanding, reveal what Hindu monks do in their day-to-day lives, how they interact with one another, their humor, and their spiritual greatness. A holy man behaves with outsiders in one way, hiding his inner spiritual personality—his true self. This book mainly recounts anedotes about the hidden, true sides of many of the monks of the Ramakrishna Order. It covers most of the 20th century. Some of the anecdotes are the following: Brotherly Love To God-realized Souls the World is Divine Play Who Can Know a Knower of Brahman? The Importance of Not Asking for Anything Saints are not Identified with Their Bodies A Lesson in Obedience Saints do not Crave Power and Position God Answers Unselfish Prayers Wisdom Versus Ethical Behavior Sometimes it is Better to Take the Blame for Doing the Right Thing An Important Lesson for Monastics Everything Happens According to God’s Will Perfect Reliance on God’s Will Death-Defying Unsung Heroes Absence of False Ego in the Spiritually Exalted Monks Belong to the Entire World What is a True Miracle? Miracles Do Not Necessarily Convince Four Stories about Truthfulness A Missed Opportunity Love of the Guru Obedience The Mysterious Fragrance Holiness Always Wins The Effect of Bad Karma How to Comfort the Bereaved A Ramakrishna Tradition Wasted Advice The Secret of Service A Mysterious Incident and the Practice of Karma Yoga Unique Methods of Training the Junior Monks A Great Karma Yogi Fun and Humor in Monastic Life Dogs of the Belur Monastery A True Karma Yogi An Unforgettable Monk The Story of Shabari Two Smart Alecks from Calcutta A Teacher Turned Monk An Exemplary Monk The Soothing Touch of Holiness Work is Worship What Monks Live By How to Know if the Health of a Monk Living in a Monastery is All Right Human Channels of Divine Grace Advice on Karmayoga Reaching Spiritual Enlightenment Through Chanting God’s Holy Name