This book, as the title suggests, is a recording of a question-and-answer session held at the Vedanta Society of Chicago in 1982. The session covered a wide range of subjects relevant to modern world such as reincarnation, incarnation of God, the guru, the role of Advaita Vedanta in the present world, the relation between science and religion, the problem of conversion in religion, the caste system, the position of women in India, and so forth. The author's lucid replies address the pressing problems of the present day.
What the world wants is character. The world is in need of those whose life is one burning love--selfless. That love will make every word tell like a thunderbolt. Awake, awake, great souls! The world is burning in misery. Can you sleep? Work unto death--I am with you, and when I am gone, my spirit will work with you. This life comes and goes--wealth, fame, enjoyments are only of a few days. It is better, far better, to die on the field of duty, preaching the truth than to die like a worldly worm. Advance!
-Swami Vivekananda