Follow some spiritual discipline for at least three years, and then, if you find you have made no tangible progress, you may come back and slap my face,

With these startling words, Swami Brahmananda urges us to seriously practice spiritual living. The swami's words come from many years associating with Sri Ramakrishna, the great saint of India. We find here a treasure house of direction and inspiration.

Sample Teachings
Banish all fear and weakness. Never weaken your mind by thinking of past mistakes. Sin? Sin exists only in man's eye. In God's eye there is no sin. One glance of the divine and the sins of many many births are wiped away...

Never utter one word that would hurt another. tell the truth, but never a harsh truth...

Life is like a stream fast ebbing away. The day that is one gone can never be recalled. make the best use of your time. If you leave it till the last moment, it will be too late to cry "alas, alas."

Table of contents:
Preface
Introduction
The Life ofMaharaj
    - Childhood and Early Years
   - Life with Ramakrishna
    - As a Young Monk
   - President of the Order
    - Maharaj as Guru
   - Mystic Visions
    - His Passing
Reminiscences
Teachings
Glossary