This book, first published in 1968, comprises five articles on the immortality of the soul. According to Hindu tradition this immortality cannot be proved by the scientific method of reasoning - it is based upon scriptural evidence and on the direct experience of enlightened souls. These articles examine the Hindu tradition and provide reasoned support to the scriptures and experiences.

Vivekananda ist der berühmteste Schüler des großen Mystikers und Weisen Ramakrishna. Es gelang ihm, eine Brücke von Ost nach West, zwischen den Religionen und Völkern zu schlagen. Sein messerscharfer Verstand, seine außergewöhnliche Denk- und Konzentrationskraft, seine geniale mystische Schau, seine unermüdliche Tatkraft und Menschenliebe und sein gerechter Zorn angesichts der versklavten Massen setzten den heutigen sozialen Strukturwandel in Indien in Bewegung und brachten dem westlichen Menschen neue Impulse zur eigenen geistigen Höherentwicklung. Auf der spirituellen Grundlage des Advaita-Vedanta, der Einheit allen (...) Seins legt er uns als besonders wichtige Form der Gottesverehrung den Dienst am Menschen ans Herz: "Mag ich wieder und wieder geboren werden und tausendfaches Elend erleiden, wenn ich nur den einzigen Gott verehren darf, der existiert, den einzigen Gott, an den ich glaube: die Gesamtsumme aller Seelen." Vivekananda zeigt uns unsere eigene Göttlichkeit und die Methoden, wie wir sie in jedem Augenblick unseres Lebens zum Ausdruck bringen können. Seine Worte lassen die Poesie des göttlichen Einen erklingen und sind, wie Romain Rolland schrieb, "Melodien im Stil Beethovens, erregende Rhythmen in Händels Musik". (shrink)

This collection features five essays from noted theologians, philosophers, geneticists, and biologists who discuss the sweeping impact of Charles Darwin's _On the Origin of Species_ on their respective fields. This volume, edited by Ralph Buchsbaum, professor of biology at the University of Pittsburgh, was published to celebrate the centenary of Darwin's announcement in 1858, along with Alfred Russel Wallace, of their independent discovery of the process of natural selection. Darwin's book was published one year later.

In five articles Swami Nikhilananda shows the eternal nature of the soul, its three states, and the real nature of Being. Lucidly written, the book brings modern motifs to elucidate traditional beliefs. An appendix of quotations from the Bhagavadgita and Upanishads and an index adds to its value.

The Author and the Editor invite us to Discern (viveka) between Real and non-real, between atman (Self) and non-atman (non-Self), between Infinite and finite, between Life and death. In Svami Nikhilananda's words: -This work, which contains only forty-six sloka (verses) is an excellent vade mecum (handbook) for students of advanced courses in Advaita philosophy-. Both Readers and Scholars will welcome the truly Monumental Bibliography. SHANKARA, the Author, has been one of the greatest philosophers of India, and has profoundly influenced (...) not only India's philosophical development, but that of the entire world. RAPHAEL, the Editor, is an author and a Master in the Western Metaphysical Tradition as well as in Vedanta. (shrink)