Like Rolling River Free …
The Story of Swami Saradananda In the West Along with lives of Sara C. Bull & Sarah J. Farmer
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There stood a wood cabin, serene and calm, in the lap of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, surrounded by tall trees dressed in beautiful autumn colors. The sounds of the singing streams joined by the soft wind chanting through the pines. It was as if nature was immersed in playing a symphony of tangible Divinity! Yet, the blanket of darkness was slowly enveloping the Forest. It was tranquil inside the cabin. Now and then, one could hear only the sound of the wood crackling in the fireplace. The glowing fire was curling and swaying. Golden, orange, and red flames had filled the room with its mystic dance of light and shadows. Swami Saradananda was seated in a wooden rocking chair by the fireplace, absorbed in deep thoughts, while others were floating on the wings of divine silence that transported them to timelessness. Tenderly he talked to them and shared with them the hidden treasure from their scriptures. Listening to Swami Saradananda, their eager and parched hearts bathed in pure sacredness.
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About the Book
Like Rolling River Free highlights three central characters: Swami Saradananda, Sara Bull, and Sarah Farmer, who played a critical role in the growth of American spirituality. The author examines Swami Saradananda’s life in detail, weaving together strands from America’s religious and cultural history. In the process, she reveals the importance of two women: Sara Bull, the daughter of a senator and the wife of a famous musician who became one of Swami Vivekananda’s most significant supporters and trusted disciples; and Sarah Farmer, the creator of the Greenacre Conferences. The book details the captivating family history of both Bull and Farmer, providing readers a detailed view of nineteenth-century America. But most striking is the book’s portrayal of Saradananda, who was Sri Ramakrishna’s one of the most influential disciple. His contributions to the Ramakrishna Order provided it with essential guidance and they continue to reverberate today. Join the author as she explores how Saradananda spread a message of religious harmony as you learn about Vedanta, one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy.
About the Author
Vandana M. Jani, Ph.D., who has enjoyed a career as a post-doctoral research associate and science educator, is the co-founder of Vivekananda Vidyapith, a nonprofit organization focused on character-building education for K-12 students. Based in Wayne, New Jersey, the institution has thrived under her guidance for the past forty-five years. Following the Vedanta tradition by her late guru, Swami Adiswarananda, she has devoted her life to spiritual pursuits.