From the Unreal To The Real

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Swami Bhashyananda has explained different aspects of Vedanta philosophy in this book with appropriate quotations from the Upanishads and the Gita and has brought home to us the significance of this great philosophy in the context of the present situation present situation in the world.

Publisher's Note

We are pleased to offer to our readers 'From the Unreal To The Real: Spirituality In Theory And Practice'; a compilation of swami Bhashyananda's lectures, notes and classes spanning 20 years of teaching in the United States. The Swami spent many hours in the Vivekananda Vedanta Society both in Chicago and Ganges patiently organizing and reviewing the material for publication. Swami Varadananda then devoted many hours to editing, documenting and proofing the manuscript. Also Ms. Bobbie Roberts, Larry Janiak and Br. Jagannath worked together to present the finished copy to the society's printer.

We wish to express our deep gratitude to the following people: First, Late Revered Swami Vyomarupananda, president of the Ramakrishna Math at Nagpur, India, who succinctly capsulizes the broad subject of this book in his Foreword; and secondly, to Professor Sam Fohr, University of Pittsburg at Bradford, for his generous Introduction. We are indebted to all the people whose time and effort made this book possible.

This book was first published by the Vivekananda Vedanta Society, Chicago. We are happy that now the copy right has been transferred to Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. We are publishing this book for the first time in India. We are grateful to Swami Chidananda, the head of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society, Chicago, for subsidizing the edition.

We sincerely hope this book will be of benefit to all spiritual aspirants.

Foreword

The Sages of the Upanishads always prayed to god "Lead us from the Unreal to the Real". The teachings of Vedanta show the path which takes man to the real from the Unreal. Vedanta is not mere intellectual speculation, but it is a way of life. It is the flower of all Indian thought, culminating in the realisation of the Supreme Truth which has no geographical nor any kind of limitations. Vedanta is for all. It is the Universal Philosophy of life which helps man to manifest his inherent divinity. It is a science of self-evolution and self-perfection.

Vedanta points out the Oneness of existence and it calls upon man to realize this Oneness in this very life. Vedanta exhorts man to have a very broad outlook, for it teaches that different paths of spiritual practices ultimately lead him to the same Truth which is called by different names by different religions.

When man realizes this Supreme Truth he reaches the state of perfection. "All doubts vanish forever, all selfish knots of the heart are cut asunder and the endless chain of cause and effect fades and dies for him who attains the Highest". This is the state of perfection about which Jesus Christ speaks in his Sermon on the Mount-"Be thou perfect even as thy Father in Heaven is perfect".

Vedanta is an applied science, a practical science. It helps man to build up his character, not only for his own good but for the welfare of mankind. A real Vedantin is an ideal servant of humanity, for he offers his service to men with the consciousness that they are veritable forms of God. His life is a blessing for all living beings, for service becomes his nature. It becomes part and parcel of his being. The life of such an ideal man is a living benediction to his fellow beings, for he follows the path of complete to promote peace and happiness for all. Sri Krishna, Christ, Buddha and Sri Ramakrishna belong to the category of such ideal Vedantins and their lives illustrate Vedanta in theory and practice. They are the embodiments of the spirit of Vedanta.

Swami Bhashyananda has explained different aspects of Vedanta philosophy in this book with appropriate quotations from the Upanishads and the gita and has brought home to us the significance of this great philosophy in the context of the present situation in the world. From this standpoint this book will serve a very useful purpose by making readers aware of their duty to themselves and to the world at large.