The writings and speeches of Swami Abhedananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, were spread over a long period of ministration both in America and in India. His deep philosophical insight and unfathomed spirituality greatly attracted learned people all over the world. All his writings and speeches are available in this set of eleven volumes.
The important thing is how much less you think of the body, of yourself as matter -- as dead, dull, insentient matter; how much more you think of yourself as shining immortal being. The more you think of yourself as spirit, the more eager you will be to be absolutely free from matter, body and senses. This is the intense desire to be free.
-Swami Vivekananda