
In this thoughtful series of lectures, the author unfolds a view of the universe where every visible form is an expression of invisible forces. By comparing the fall of an apple to the hidden pull of gravity, he shows how subtle energies shape the material world, from the seed of a plant to the human body. The discussion moves from the basic elements of matter to the intricate layers of the subtle body—mind, intellect, ego, and the five vital breaths—illustrating how each influences the physical shape we experience.
The speaker then ties these concepts to everyday life, explaining how every thought and deed leaves a fine imprint, or samskāra, that later awakens as desire and drives the cycle of rebirth. He presents reincarnation as a natural continuation of the subtle self, suggesting that understanding and refining these inner forces can alter future expressions without revealing any later twists in the narrative.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (118K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Dave Maddock, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
Release date
2005-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1866–1939
A close disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, this influential monk helped introduce Vedanta and yoga to Western audiences while writing widely on philosophy and spiritual practice. His life bridges late 19th-century Indian spirituality and the early global spread of modern Vedanta.
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