Meditation Ecstasy and Illumination - An Overview of Vedanta
Swami Ashokananda
This book consists of eight lectures delivered in America by the author. They give a comprehensive view of the history, theory, and practice of Vedanta. Speaking to the minds as well as to the hearts of his listeners, the Swami dwells in each lecture upon one aspect of Vedanta. The book as a whole, therefore, will not only provide the student with an intellectual grasp of the Vedanta philosophy and religion, but will also help the spiritual aspirant along whatever path, or yoga, he or she may be following.
The animal has its happiness in the senses, the human beings in their intellect, and the gods in spiritual contemplation. It is only to the soul that has attained to this contemplative state that the world really becomes beautiful.
-Swami Vivekananda