Go Forward - Letters of Swami Premeshananda (Vol 1)
Swami Swahananda
Swami Premeshananda was a venerable monk of the Ramakrishna Order who was greatly respected by one and all for his life of spirituality and service.We find in the pages of this book the basic questions of life placed on the firm foundation of the philosophy of Vedanta. We learn how abstract spiritual ideas took concrete form in Sri Ramakrishna's religious practices and how by clinging to the ideal of Sri Ramakrishna we can solve all the problems of our life. And we find all this presented in a manner which is intelligible, rational, scientific, scripturally sound, and at the same time full of sweet humour.
After every happiness comes misery; they may be far apart or near. The more advanced the soul, the more quickly does one follow the other. What we want is neither happiness nor misery. Both make us forget our true nature; both are chains--one iron, one gold; behind both is the Atman, who knows neither happiness nor misery. These are states, and states must ever change; but the nature of the Atman is bliss, peace, unchanging. We have not to get it, we have it; only wash away the dross and see it.
-Swami Vivekananda