The Wisdom of Vedanta [Paperback]

Swami Abhayananda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1997

In this collection of thirty-five of the best of Swami Abhayananda's illuminating Talks and inspirational reflections on the spiritual life the Author explains the philosophy and tradition of God-knowledge which originated in the of India and culminates in the universally recognized perennial philosophy of modern mysticism. Vedanta the Author explains in his introduction is the culmination of all knowledge seeking. It is the final philosophy recurrently discovered by seekers of truth in every age

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born Stan Trout in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1938, he abandoned the world in 1966 to live in a small cabin in the forested mountains of Santa Cruz, California in order to focus on God. There he attained the enlightenment he sought, and later journeyed to India to live and meditate in the ashram of Swami Muktananda. In 1978, he was initiated into sannyas, and was renamed "Swami Abhayananda". He went on to teach meditation and the philosophy of Self-realization in varius cities throughout the U.S., and now lives, writes, and publishes his books in Olympia, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Atma Books; 2nd Rev edition (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914557068
• ISBN-13: 978-0914557067
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,400,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born Stan Trout on August 14, 1938 in Indianapolis, Indiana. I was graced by God's vision in 1966 at the age of twenty-eight. A few years later, I met a holy man called Swami Muktananda, and I journeyed to India to live with him and to learn from him. After some time, he invited me to join the spiritual Order of sannyasa, and gave me the name "Swami Abhayananda", which means 'the bliss of fearlessness.' I have kept that spiritual name ever since, though I eventually parted with Swami Muktananda and his organization.

My focus has always been on God and His revelation, and my writings reflect that focus. I am not hindered by organizational ties or religious affiliation, and so the scope of my vision and my philosophy is universal, embracing the mystical traditions of both East and West. Today, I live a simple, solitary life, devoted to meditation on God and the sharing of His truth. It is my sincere wish that God may bless you as He has blessed me.

Please see my latest book, Mystical Theology, presenting a comprehensive and reasoned theology that accurately reflects the mystic's vision and is at the same time compatible with current scientific evidence. Available on the Kindle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Non-dualism at its Best, February 8, 2007

By 

Mr. S. Wollaston "Santoshan" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wisdom of Vedanta (Paperback)

`The Wisdom of Vedanta' by Swami Ahayananda is not the usual dry philosophy book one would normally expect to find on the subject of non-dualism.

Abhayananda's chapters draw on many years of experience and talks he has given. It is also not a book that just aims to push the boat out for Indian philosophy and takes a postmodern and inclusive approach, with excellent chapters on `The Perennial Philosophy', `Vedanta Christian Style' and `Non-dualism in Christianity'.

Additionally, chapters on `How to Meditate' and `Practical Vedanta' are not often found in books on the subject. But, for me, this is why Abhayananda's book is so special, as he isn't merely concerned about taking us into the realms of high philosophy just for the sake of it, but to show us how we can find the wisdom of this ancient and ongoing tradition in our daily lives and in our spiritual practices.

In all, `The Wisdom of Vedanta' is a wonderful spiritual primer and a great introduction to understanding the Hindu, Yogic and universal philosophy of Oneness.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Christianity to Non-dualism, July 16, 2007

By 

D. Waite (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wisdom of Vedanta (Paperback)

`The Wisdom of Vedanta' is a wide-ranging introduction to the non-dual philosophy of Advaita and should be of particular interest to those who have been brought up in a background of Christianity but who have never been altogether comfortable with the interpretation given by the established church.

Some of the material reads like a modern scriptural text, with prayer-like `meditations' at the end of each chapter, but the word `God', used throughout, refers to our own essential nature and not to some remote and separate, omniscient being.

The book is a collection of lectures on a variety of topics, which do not need to be read sequentially. Many of these are commentaries on Upanishads and on `advaitic treatises' by the key philosopher, Shankara. In particular, there is an excellent complete commentary, in three lectures, on Shankara's important work on the nature of the self - Atmabodha. There is also a chapter comparing Vedanta and Buddhism and there are frequent references to Jnaneshvar, the thirteenth century Hindu poet, on which Abhayanananda has also written a book.

All religions have to begin from where we are and then lead us gently to the truth. Unfortunately, over time, there is a danger that the metaphors will be read as literal and the hidden, non-dual message will be lost. This is what has happened with Christianity and there is a need for books such as this to point the misguided back to the truth.

As with his other book `The Supreme Self', this will appeal most to those of a bhakta nature. It lacks intellectual rigour and occasionally makes statements that are not pedantically in accord with Shankara's vision of Advaita but this is a minor quibble over a book that can be heartily recommended to those unfamiliar with the subject.

Dennis Waite, author of Back to the Truth: 5000 years of Advaita

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Understanding, May 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wisdom of Vedanta (Paperback)

I read a book years ago about Sri Ramakrishna, his life and teachings. Then a few years later I came across Vevakananda, his desciple. Then I read THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, by Vedanta which gave so much more meaning to Jesus' teachings that I had been having trouble with for years. And now THE WISDOM OF VEDANTA. It's taken 30 years but I believe this latest book has brought it all together for me. I highly recommend it to all who have spent their lives searching. I keep this one on my nightstand.