This compelling in-depth study compares the lives and teachings of Ramakrishna, the great saint of 19th century India, and Jesus Christ, the avatar of the West. It enables us to grasp the uniqueness and universal character of both of these supreme figures in each of two vast religious traditions. With the detailed information available, Dr. Hourihan covers Ramakrishna's life from his unique childhood to his remarkable marriage and beyond. He guides us through his extraordinary struggle for ever-deepening levels of God-realisation far transcending our earthbound imaginings. Ramakrishna's life is very relevant to our times since it manifests the idea of unity and truth more than any we know of. "Truth is one: sages call it by various names", and "as many faiths, so many paths", were two of his declarations, discovered through direct personal experience. A significant part of the book is devoted to an interpretation of Christ's life as seen from the viewpoint of India's yoga traditions. This is a timely work that provides a much-needed unifying message of the truth that forms the basis of all enduring faiths.