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Swami Adiswarananda
Minister - 1973-2007 |
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Swami Adiswarananda (1925-2007) was born in
West Bengal, India. He received his undergraduate degree and Master's
degree from the University of Calcutta. During his student days he was
inspired by Swami Vivekananda and his call to the "service of God in man."
In 1954 he joined the monastic Order of Sri Ramakrishna and was ordained a
monk in 1963. As a monk, he served the Order in various capacities in its
educational and cultural centers. He taught religious subjects for several
years at one of the premier colleges of the Order, the Ramakrishna Mission
Vidyamandira at Belur, West Bengal, India. In 1966 he was sent to the
Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati in the Himalayas, where he was Editor of
Prabuddha Bharata: Awakened India, the English-language monthly
journal on religion and philosophy published by the Order. He served in
that capacity until 1968, when he was sent by the Order to the
Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York to assist
Swami Nikhilananda.
Upon the passing away of Swami Nikhilananda in 1973, Swami Adiswarananda
became the Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Center, a post that he
held until his passing away in 2007.
Literary Work
The writings of Swami Adiswarananda
appeared in many books and journals, published in the United and abroad,
including Prabuddha Bharata (India), Vedanta Kesari (India),
the two English-language monthly journals of the Order, and Vedanta for
East and West (England). The Swami wrote the following books:
• “The
Spiritual Quest and the Way of Yoga – The Goal, the Journey and the
Milestones”
• “Sri
Ramakrishna, the Face of Silence” Editor
• “Sri
Sarada Devi, The Holy Mother – Her Teachings and Conversations” Editor
• "Meditation
& Its Practices - A Definitive Guide to the Techniques and Traditions of
Meditation in Yoga and Vedanta"
• "The
Vedanta Way to Peace and Happiness"
• "The
Four Yogas - A Guide to the Spiritual Paths of Action, Devotion,
Meditation and Knowledge"
• "Vivekananda,
World Teacher - His Teachings on the Spiritual Unity of Humankind"
The Swami also contributed chapters to a
number of books, among which are the following :
• The preface to "Tagore - The Mystic
Poets" translated from Bengali to English by the author.
• "Philosophy of History: Hindu View"
in the book Contemporary Indian Philosophers of History, edited by
T.M.P. Mahadevan and Grace E. Carins (published by the World Press,
Calcutta, India).
• "Hindu View of Death and Life After
Death" in the book Encounter with Eternity: Religious Views of Death
and Life After Death, edited by Christopher Jay Johnson and Marsha G.
McGee (published by the Philosophical Library, New York).
• "Living the Mature Way" in the book
Meditation: Monks of the Ramakrishna Order (published by the
Ramakrishna Vedanta Center, Bourne End, Great Britain).
• "Sri Ramakrishna and His God
Consciousness" in the book Sri Ramakrishna The Power and Glory
(published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madras, India).
• "Facing the Restless Mind" in the
book Living Wisdom: Vedanta in the West (published by the Vedanta
Press, Hollywood, California).
• "Swami Vivekananda: His Message of
Vedanta and the Western Way" in the book Vivekananda: The Great
Spiritual Teacher (published by Advaita Ashrama, Calcutta, India).
Interfaith Activities
Swami Adiswarananda was a frequent
participant in the programs and activities of major interfaith
organizations. In 1993, the Swami took part in the Parliament of World's
Religions, which was held in Chicago to commemorate the Centenary of the
first Parliament of 1893. On that occasion, Swami Adiswarananda was
selected to be one of the 250 representatives in the Parliament's Assembly
of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. During his tenure, Swami
Adiswarananda organized a number of significant interfaith services and
programs, including a major 3-day event in New York City to commemorate
the 100th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in America. Swami Adiswarananda
was a frequent lecturer at colleges and universities and other religious,
educational, and cultural centers throughout the United States and abroad.
Services & Classes
Calendar
Spiritual Leader
Founder
Ramakrishna Order
Pictorial Album
Sculptures