Customer Reviews

Vivekananda: Lessons in Classical Yoga

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When I read a book, I focus on the content, not on the political associations of the author/editor (as referenced in other customer reviews). The content of this book is focused on the classical yoga teachings as explained in western language by Vivekenanda.

I learned so much from reading this book. The material is very well organized: the first section explains the Vedanta philosophy and definition of God; the next section describes four types of yogas with a section detailing each type of yoga. The four types are karma yoga - divinity through works and duty; bhakti yoga - devotion and love of God; Raja yoga - divinity through the control of the mind; and Jnana yoga - divinity through knowledge.

It is laid out simply and is very easy to understand. Whether or not one agrees with the philosophy, I believe it's very important to learn about other's belief systems. Understanding is the key to creating peace in the world. I happen to think much of the philosophy described in this book can apply to everyone, regardless of religious affiliation.

I had the pleasure of listening to Dave DeLuca speak about his Hindu religious journey and his love for the teachings of Vivekananda. He is passionate about this topic and so far, this book shows his love and compassion for bringing an open and inclusive spiritual view to the world. His passion for Yogi Vivekananda comes through in his editing effort.

The selections that DeLuca chose are indeed inspirational and give a clear image of the Unity of all existence that seems to be the corner stone of life philosophy from India. The story of Swami Vivekananda is compellingly told and rivets the reader. The short clearly written teachings can be read in just about any order, used as daily meditations, and revisited over and over again. Along the way, this uplifting volume will provide insight into the Vedanta philosophy.

If you have the opportunity to hear DeLuca's presentation, take it. If you have the opportunity to read this book, take it! An excellent addition to anyone open to understanding and embracing the concept of the interconnected web of all existence. Whatever your religious (or non-religious) grounding, you will likely enjoy this book.

There is nothing wrong with Vivekananda's message and there may not be anything wrong with Mr. DeLuca's message in this book or in his public lectures. However, the Christian reviewers below are at least partly correct. In my experience, the Vedanta Society, which Vivekananda founded, at least the one in Southern California, is tone-deaf to the feelings of Protestant Christianity. They are on more common ground with Catholicism, which shares the Vedanta Society's emphasis on ritualism. So if you read this book and are enthralled with the universal liberalism of Vivekananda's view of religion, don't expect to find that in the Vedanta Society he founded. Adherents to Vedanta are expected to attend all night ceremonies called pujas, filled with the sort of formalized but empty ritual that Jesus found so uninspiring in the sanctimonious people of his day, and that most of Protestants, liberal to conservative, reject today. Even the casual visitor to a Vedanta Society "class" or "lecture" may be put off by the requirement that adherents bow down and touch the feet of the Swami, who is teaching or lecturing. This is a little like kissing the Pope's ring, which may resonnate with some Catholics, but you'd be hard pressed to find a Methodist or Lutheran, let alone Quaker, in the United State of America, who wants bow down and touch some guru's feet! So read this book. Enjoy it. Be inspired by it. But be careful of the religion founded around Vivekananda.

As a life-long Lutheran, I am concerned about the anti-Christian message of this book. If Jesus is just a messanger boy as Vivekananda and Dave DeLuca claim, then where is my faith that Jesus Christ is my blessed Savior? Vedanta claims support for all religions, but the Hollywood Temple that DeLuca is affiliated with preaches against my belief which preaches Christ crusified. If Jesus were nothing but a messanger for swamis from India, I would have not hope for everlasting forgiveness.

The Lord Jesus Christ on the night when he was betrayed took bread and when he broke it, he said, "Take this is my body which is given for you." After the same manner also, he took the cup and when he had drank said, "This is my body, which is given for you. This do as often as you drink it in rememberance of me."

At every communion service I sing: "Oh Christ the Lamb of God, who takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon me."

I do not believe, I cannot believe that my Jesus, is Vivekananda's messenger boy.

I attended one of Mr. DeLuca's lectures on Vivekananda and was underwhelmed. While extolling Vivekananda's ideas on the unity of all religions, there was little understanding of the Christian belief. In the church that I grew up in, Jesus Christ is THE Son of God. But in Vivekananda's view Jesus was just a messenger among avatars, equal to an Indian saint of the 19th century named Ramakrishna. Ramakrishan was Vivekananda's guru and it is understandable that he would love him. But there is no comparison between a Hindu saint and the Christian belief that Jesus is the ONLY begotten son of the ONLY God. There is also anti-woman sentiment in Ramakrishna's teachings -- he always warned his male followers against getting involved with "women and gold" -- that is hard to reconcile with Mr. DeLuca's attempt to market Vivekananda as a saint for the 21st. Century.

Sorry to be a wet blanket on your New Age world (and I'm sure New Thought believers may enjoy this book) but if you ask Jesus to save you He will. If you ask Vivekananda to save you, God help you.