The Transforming Power Of Vedanta

A religion will remain always powerful as long as it can transform the lives of people and change their outlook."¹ These words were spoken by Swami Ritajananda, a Ramakrishna Order monk who headed the Vedanta centre in France for 33 years.

- Anna Hourihan

Paul Hourihan, one of Swami's first American students, experienced this transforming power through the teachings and spiritual practices of Vedanta. Paul was also my spiritual teacher and later on in his life, my husband. Although a non-believer at one time, Paul Hourihan became a teacher, mystic, and author who dedicated himself to spiritual life.

Paul, as an aspiring young writer living in New York City, was a non-conformist leading an atheistic and bohemian life. His ambition was to write the Great American Novel. In his early thirties, dissatisfied, not having fulfilled his ambition, he sensed his way of life was leading him in a downward spiral. The need to change was crucial if he was to have any semblance of peace and fulfillment. And so began his spiritual search.

He explored all the major religions and also New Age and other movements such as Theosophy, Christian Science, and Swedenborg. His desire was so intense that he couldn't pass a church without going inside to partake of the holy atmosphere.

His studies included the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. He had heard the name of Ramakrishna mentioned in other books. In the basement library of the Theosophy building, he came across The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. In one week, he finished reading this book that would alter his life, and prime him for what was to come. But, even after all his research, he knew that nothing short of a personal revelation would convince him of God's existence.

One day Paul contacted the east-side Vedanta centre of New York for information on its activities. When he arrived a little late to his first class, the words that greeted him were and there are some who have actually seen God, experienced the reality of God. These words, which made a lasting impression, were spoken by Swami Ritajananda, his future guru.