It has been too long a time since I have entered Holy Mother's Courtyard. Namaste to all, old and new friends, who visit here.
My dear friend, Ankur, has given me a great blessing by recommending that I read two of Sister Gargi's great books on the life of Swami Ashokanada. After getting acquainted and feeling a deep atrraction to the Swami's life and teachings, I felt compelled to order another book from Vedanta Press, "They Lived with God" by Swami Chetanananda. I am nearly finished with this great work, and am feeling sorrowful that it is almost over. These great devotees have become my friends, and I gaze at the cover of the book very often in order to see the faces of these devotees who have become peronal and with whom I feel a bond and friendship. I highly recommend this book as not only a good, but as great reading.
Has anyone else read the book and would like to discuss it??
It is so wonderful to hear from you here in Mothers Courtyard. :) i have been away too, with brothers Tom and Ankur keeping the Courtyard alive. Perhaps Mother's children are returning after being at play.
I remember reading They Lived with God many years ago. Wonder stories about the broader circle of friends and disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. You needn't stop reading. A few years later Chetananandaji published a second collection, God Lived with Them. :) Either would make a good topic of discussion.
It seems important for me to highlight a passage from Sister Gargi's book, "A Disciples Journal".
I quote it Here:
"...I will never understand how so much grace, from start to finish, had fallen upon me--much of it, I am sure, from Swami Vivekananda himself. I don't think anyone can ever know how or why grace happens, but whether it comes as a harsh blow or as a gentle push, and whether what one does with it is good or bad, one can never deny its sure and ineluctable reality."
A Disciples Journal, Sister Gargi, p 276
This single passage, for me, seems to sum up the story behind the story of each of the lives of the devotees of Sri Ramakrishna.
