The Meditation of Ananda
The Meditation of Ananda is a philosophical work by George William Russell that explores the nature of consciousness and reality. The book delves into various spiritual concepts, including meditation, mysticism, and Eastern philosophy. It offers insights on how to achieve inner peace and enlightenment through contemplation and self-reflection.
By George William Russell · First published 1930 · Genre: Spiritual Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Mystical Fiction · 1,571 words
First lines
Ananda rose from his seat under the banyan tree. He passed his hand unsteadily over his brow. Throughout the day the young ascetic had been plunged in profound meditation; and now, returning from heaven to earth, he was bewildered like one who awakens in darkness and knows not where he is. All day long before his inner eye burned the light of the Lokas, until he was wearied and exhausted with their splendors; space glowed like a diamond with intolerable lustre, and there was no end to the dazzling procession of figures. He had seen the fiery dreams of the dead in heaven. He had been tormented by the music of celestial singers, whose choral song reflected in its ripples the rhythmic pulse of being. He saw how these orbs were held within luminous orbs of wider circuit; and vaste and vaster grew the vistas, until at last, a mere speck of life, he bore the burden of innumerable worlds. Seeking for Brahma, he found only the great illusion as infinite as Brahma's being.
What this Textopian page supports
The Meditation of Ananda is listed on Textopian as a short story by George William Russell, dated 1930 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George William Russell
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Spiritual Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Mystical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Fantasy
- Length: 1,571 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Meditation of Ananda by George William Russell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Spiritual Fiction — The narrative centers on themes of meditation, spiritual awakening, and the search for enlightenment, which are core elements of spiritual fiction.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores profound philosophical questions about reality, illusion, and the nature of existence, characteristic of philosophical fiction.
- Mystical Fiction — The protagonist's experiences with celestial visions and spiritual magic align with the mystical fiction genre.
- Literary Fiction — The sophisticated writing style and deep exploration of human emotions and experiences are hallmarks of literary fiction.
Tags
spirituality · meditation · philosophy · self-discovery · inner peace · consciousness · mysticism · transcendence · wisdom · enlightenment · nature · introspection