Spiritual Talk (By the First Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna)

This volume contains rare spiritual counsels given by the first disciples of Sri Ramakrishna to spiritual aspirants and as such invaluable for all those who sincerely search after God. These records derive their value from the simplicity and directness with which they touch upon and illuminate many aspects of practical religion, and will be a mine of spiritual guidance to all spiritual aspirants.

The disciple of Shri Ramakrishna are today well known all over India and even abroad, especially the few whose conversations we have included in this book. They are the builders of the Ramakrishna Mission which was founded by Swami Vivekananda, the chief disciple of the Master. The public, however, has not had the opportunity of knowing them as the loving Gurus or spiritual instructors, in which capacity they were known only to the chosen few, who had the rare privilege of sitting at their feet. This volume presents for the first time in book form the words addressed by these great souls to devoted groups of disciples and admirers, some of whom preserved them for their private use. These records derive their value from the simplicity and directness with which they touch upon and illuminate many aspects of practical religion. If they have helped a few, they can help others also. It is with this belief that we send out this volume to the belief that we send out this volume to the world. In doing so we express our deep indebtedness to all those who have kindly allowed us to use their diaries, which alone has made this undertaking possible.