The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Hardcover – January 1, 1984

Ramakrishna is / was a spiritual superman, as the book clearly illustrates, through this biographical account by one of his disciples who knew him personally.Anyone interested in spirituality, in deepening their own direct experience of God, unbelievers, skeptics and scientists, should all read this book, because it proves that the limit of any one person's experience is not the limit of the Universe. Every person is capable of such unique and different experiences and perspectives that it defies belief.The most important message which I take from this biography of a spiritual superhero, is that every one of us experience exactly according to our convictions. If you are a scientific materialist, that is all you will ever experience, unless and until you change your convictions, of course. If you are an atheist, you cannot know God. You will only experience the dry, barren grounds of your atheism. If you believe in good and evil, you will personally encounter both. If you have a personal conviction in the existence of God, then you cannot fail to encounter Him in all things.So, if all of us are capable of such divine, ecstatic experiences and incomparable happiness, why would we confine ourselves only to dry scientific "facts"? Or to materialism? Doing so is like living the life of a maggot. Each of us is capable of so much more: each of us can soar like an eagle. If you don't want to experience the life of a maggot, all you need to do is to change your convictions: your belief system. And all of this comes from a documentary video known as "The Secret", which illustrates very clearly that each person can only know according to his or her personal convictions. I encourage you to find and watch that video. Then read Ramakrishna's biography, showing you what is possible for you too.God is to be regarded as nearer and dearer to you than your own self: that, combined with your own conviction that He really exists, will lead you to experience Him directly. This is Ramakrishna's message. Why would you want to do that? Because of the incomparable, indescribably meaningful life that this will bestow on you. Be an eagle, not a scientific maggot. Why would any sane person confine himself to the latter?There are at least two biographies of Ramakrishna available from the Amazon Kindle Store. The other one is the Western perspective created by Christopher Isherwood, in "Ramakrishna and his disciples". For the absolute newbie to Eastern mysticism, this may be a better book to start off with, than the current account which assumes a lot of background understanding from the reader, as if though you are a Hindu. After all, the current account was written by an Indian, steeped from birth in the Hindu scriptures. Isherwood, a westerner who lived for many years in California, on the other hand, provides a sufficiently detailed background to make perfect sense of it all. The result is not at all boring, but actually totally absorbing.The other very important message of the Ramakrishna books, including the one under review, is that all religious approaches are equally valid. God can be experienced in the form of Father, Mother, friend, child, animal, a seemingly inanimate stone object (which can bring forth the living Form residing in it), or as the formless Source of the Universe. All these different experiences are equally valid. Christianity is not more, or less valid, than Hinduism, and ditto for Buddhism, Islam, and any other religious path the human mind is capable of encountering. It is a question of personal temperament, where you are in your own life's path right now, preference and personal capacity. In God's world there is a place for every sentient being, and His name is not only Jesus.How does Ramakrishna illustrate that all religious approaches are equally valid? Through his own direct experiences, which defy belief, logic, science and head knowledge of all kinds. That is what makes the current book so incredible, and Isherwood's account too: The pages burn with direct supernormal spiritual experiences and deep conviction, which cannot easily be found in most other books on the subject.

This book is an intimate portrait of a holy man. The book is the true story of an Indian saint, Ramakrishna.

I just wanted to have this book as I am interested in Sri Ramakrishna as I consider him as the true God. The contents of the book are difficult for me to understand but it's still very interesting. One thing though it has a small black smudge on the side but I'm still keeping it as I'm too impatient to return and buy a new one.

Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is simply a great work. Based on a journal maintained by one of Ramakrishna's ardent disciples, this is truly a jewel. Credit must also go to Swami Nikhilananda for masterful translation. This 1000 page classic with densely packed text would have been a challenge to read if not for the wisdom and the way the wisdom is presented.It's been so well journaled that it's like getting into a time machine and going back in time to around 1870s to Bengal and meeting spiritual giants such as Ramakrishna, Vivekananda. This book has so much reference to Narendra who went on to become Swami Vivekananda. Here we get to see how Narendra evolved and what challenges he faced.All in all a great classic and readable anytime. Wish it was typecast in little bigger font and spaced out better.

This is a beautifully written story about a special soul who was Sri Ramakrishna. It starts slowly with many repetitions, then gradually develops into an image, an impression of somebody who was very special and who touched many lives. I suggest to read this book with patience, appreciation and open mind.

The world seems so real. Birth and death seems real also. Everyday life seems to be what is the norm and normal. Space/Time seems real. Objects seem real...In the Gospel of Ramakrishna it is revealed that "human experience" is unreal, it is not what is seems to be. Shri Ramakrishna advises us what is the truth. It is literally "upside-down"

What can be said about the life of Sri Ramakrishna? The Absolute itself incarnated in a humble abode and taught in such a heart-melting and mind-blowing way that makes you feel that Love and Truth itself is speaking to you in every word that comes out of his mouth.His absolute simplicity, child-like nature, humility, care for others, exemplary life, discipline is so awe inspiring! He IS the Universal Teacher that knows the disposition of every person and the right approach for each one.Together with the Autobiography of a Yogi, this is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. Do not hesitate to buy.

I first encountered Sri Ramakrishna in Bishop Stephen Neill's masterpiece "Christian Faith and other Faiths". There, the learned Bishop commented on the remarkable life and influence of this unlettered and self taught Bengali and whose saintly life influenced Swami Vivikenanda, Gandhi and numerous others.How was Ramakrishna able to do this? Here in this book, we find out. First, Ramakrisna gathered a small circle of disciples around him and they committed themselves to living a common, simple life-something along the lines of St. Benedict or St. Francis from the Christian tradition. Second, they were also a learning community and devoted themselves to reading the Hindu Scriptures and longs hours of meditation. Third-and here is an unusual feature-Ramakrishna would go for extended periods immersing himself in other religious traditions and claiming to have visions of other religious figures such as Jesus. By so doing, Ramakrishna's and his small band of followers learned to appreciate religious traditions outside of their own "faith". That's pretty amazing considering Ramakrishna received hardly any formal eduction.And perhaps that is the good news of this book of over 1000 pages. Tolerance, respect, appreciation, and openness.