Throughout his spiritual ministration in the West, Swami Vivekananda mainly spread the message of the Universal Religion of Vedanta. Only on two occasions did he speak about his Master, Sri Ramakrishna; and that was at New York and England. This book comprises both the lectures combined under the present title. It contains the outpouring of a devout heart deeply stirred by the very name of his Master.
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