When first the beauty of spiritual life dawns on our vision, our reaction to it is pre-eminently emotional; we do not know the bearings of the path that leads to the spiritual goal.  As we embark on the journey, very soon we feel the want of clear knowledge.  Remembering his own days of such difficulties, the author undertook an honest discussion of the preliminary stages and conditions of practical religion.  First published in the 1920s under the author's pen-name "Ananda".

The chapters in this book are: In the Outer Court;  Sandhya-Vandana and Kirtana;  Pranayama;  Intellectualism versus Spirituality;  On the Threshold;  When Shall We Renounce?  Is Renunciation Necessary?  External Renunciation;  Is Human Love a Help?  The Case of the Unmarried;  The Case of the Married; Karma-Yoga;  Brahmacharya;  The Question of Food;  The Necessity of the Guru;  Signs of a True Guru.  

A life sketch and the author's memories of encouragement and guidance he received from this great disciple of Sri Ramakrishna.

Swami Vivekananda, tuned to the special needs and strengths of his audiences, left a special legacy everywhere he lived and lectured. Here is an analysis of his special gift to the people of San Francisco.