One day when Narendra was on the ground foor, meditating, the Master was lying awake in his bed upstairs. In the depths of his meditation Narendra felt as though a lamp wre burning at the back of his head. Suddenly he lost consciousness. It was the yearned-for, all-effacing experience of nirvikalpa samadhi, when the emboidied soul realizes its unity with the Absolute. After a very long time he regained partial consciousness but was unable to find his body. He could see only his head. "Where is my body?" he cried. The elder Gopal entered the room and said, "Why, it is here, Naren!" But Narendra could not find it. Gopal, frightened, ran upstairs to the Master. Sri Ramakrishna only said: "Let him stay that way for a time. He has worried me long enough."

After another long period Narendra regained full consciousness. Bathed in peace, he went to the Master, who said: "Now the Mother has shown you everything. But this revelation will remain under lock and key, and I shall keep the key. When you have accomplished the Mother's work you will find the treasure again."

"The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna" pp. 71-72

Greetings to all,

In honour of the 104th Anniversary today [July 4th, 2006] of Swami Vivekananda's Mahasamadhi, we are presenting this composite of photos.

By clicking on the image offered below,
one may see enlargements, and many more Vivekananda photos....one may also order prints suitable for framing.

NOTE: Swami Vivekananda designed the emblem of the Ramakrishna movement.
The wavy waters in the emblem represent work
while the lotus signifies devotion. The rising sun stands for knowledge. The serpent represents yoga
and the awakened power lying dormant within human beings. The swan in the emblem stands for God.


Also, a Happy Independence Day to our gracious host, Sister Jayanti, Sister Rosemary & all the visitors to Mother's Courtyard.

Swami Vivekananda Poll

Beautiful photos!! Thank you.

Happy 4th to you also...and to all our family here.