Saccidananda, originally published in French in 1965, was extensively revised by Swami Abhishiktananda for the English edition of 1973. Although it does not represent his ultimate vision after his spiritual Awakening, the theological perspectives it presents nevertheless mark an important stage in the development of his insights into the meeting of Advaita and the Trinity. It was a sincere but arduous attempt at a theological integration of his Hindu experience and his Christian faith: the meeting of these two great spiritual worlds has too often been controversial or merely intellectual.
Contents
Foreword Introduction Author’s Preface Editor’s Note List of Abbreviations Preamble: Beyond All Names
Part One: The Vedantic Experience
Chapter 1: Death Transcended Chapter 2: The Inward Quest Chapter 3: The Advaitic Dilemma Chapter 4: The Cosmic Covenant and the Incarnation Chapter 5: Vedantic Experience and Christian Faith
Part Two: The Trinitarian Experience
Chapter 6: Abba, Father Chapter 7: Awakening in the Spirit Chapter 8: Divine Sonship Chapter 9: The Infinite Love of the Father Chapter 10: The Return of the Cosmos Chapter 11: Love and Communion Chapter 12: The Work of the Jñani
Part Three: Saccidananda
Chapter 13: The Image of God Chapter 14: At the Heart of the Trinity Chapter 15: The Bliss of the Spirit Chapter 16: An Act of Faith
Appendix: Poems by Shri Ramana Maharshi Glossary of Sanskrit Words Selected Bibliography Biographical Note
Swami Abhishiktananda (Henri Le Saux, 1910 - 1973) was one of the most fascinating spiritual figures of the 20th century and a bridge-builder between East and West. Born in France in 1910, he entered the Benedictine Monastery of Kergonan in South Brittany, and after nineteen years as a contemplative in the monastic tradition, he received permission from his abbot in 1948 to go to India. Two years later, he co-founded the Shantivanam ashram on the banks of the Kaveri river in Tamil Nadu where he immersed himself in traditional indian philosophy and spirituality.
In 1959, he started travelling to the Himalayas and felt more and more attracted, such that in 1968 he settled for good in his hermitage on the banks of Ganges, near Uttarkashi. In July 1973 he suffered a heart attack on the road in Rishikesh. This brought him to his final spiritual Awakening .
Swami Abhishiktananda took his last breath on December 7, 1973 at Indore, but his life and message continue to inspire many who seek the Truth and try to live an authentic spirituality beyond religious barriers.
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