This is a lecture delivered by Swami Vivekananda at the Harvard University. It is perfectly suited for all those who are keen to have a bird's eye view of the Vedanta philosophy. Herein Swamiji puts forward the intricacies of Vedanta metaphysics in a lucid style helping the readers comprehend the matter with an ease that would make the best teachers of Vedanta struck with wonder. The value of the book is further enhanced by the incorporation of the interesting question & answer session that follwed the lecture.
Those who have succeeded in attaching or detaching their minds at will have succeeded in Pratyahara, which means gathering towards, checking the outgoing powers of the mind, freeing it from the thralldom of the senses. When we can do this, we shall really possess character; then alone we shall have taken a long step towards freedom. Before that, we are mere machines. - Swami Vivekananda