The Essence of Self-Realization

The Wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda

Filled with lessons and stories that Yogananda shared only with his closest disciples, this volume offers one of the most insightful and engaging glimpses into the life and lessons of a great sage. Much of the material presented here is not available anywhere else.

Yogananda was one of the most significant spiritual teachers of the 20th century. Since his classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, was first published in 1946, its popularity has increased steadily throughout the world.

Great teachers work through their students, and Yogananda was no exception. Swami Kriyananda writes in the introduction to the present volume, "After I'd been with him a year and a half, he began urging me to write down the things he was saying during informal conversations." The Essence of Self-Realization, nearly 300 sayings rich with spiritual wisdom, is the fruit of that labor of love.

The scope of this book is vast-it offers as complete an explanation of life's true purpose, and the way to achieve that purpose as may be found anywhere. A few of the chapters include: The True Purpose of Life; On Meditation; How to Pray Effectively; The Law of Karma; The Lesson of Reincarnation; and Ways in Which God Can Be Worshiped.

Dimensions: 9 x 6
Details: Paperback, 212 pages
Author: Swami Kriyananda

Testimonials

Since Paramhansa Yogananda's classic Autobiography of a Yogi was first published in 1946, its popularity has increased steadily throughout the world. The Essence of Self-Realization, a new collection of Yogananda's teachings, contains his spoken words, lovingly collected and preserved by Kriyananda, his direct disciple. Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) was privileged to live with Yogananda during the last three and half years of the great yogi's life. "Write down my words!" the teacher urged the young disciple. And so he has, for the benefit of truth seekers around the world. Conveniently presented in an encyclopedic format, The Essence of Self-Realization is thoroughly indexed by word, and catalogued by topic in the table of contents.

Lovers of spiritual and metaphysical reading will have difficulty in choosing what to read first from among the central themes: Working Out Karma, The True Purpose of Life, Ways in Which God Can Be Worshiped, The Soul and God, The Lesson of Reincarnation, plus many, many more. Each chapter is composed of short vignettes, ranging in size from several lines to several pages. Here, we are privy to the words of a master - rich with wisdom, divine love, and the fullness of spiritual power. Be assured that at each sitting, whether for one page or one chapter, you will have gleaned some refreshment for a tired heart or a thirsty soul.

Attractively printed in a type size just slightly larger than the average book print, The Essence is easy to read, besides being quite a bit of fun. These excerpts are a sample of the inspirational gems within its pages. A visitor: "Is your teaching a new religion?" The Master; "It is a new expression of truths that are eternal." "The truths underlying religion are eternal. They cannot be invented. From their source in the realization of God-enlightened masters, they become diluted by their contact with unenlightened human beings. "That is why God from time to time sends His awakened sons back to the earth, to revive the spirit of religion and to return the timeless teachings to their pristine purity. "There will always be differences of emphasis, according to the varying needs of the times. The fundamental truths, however, remain forever the same."
—Spirit of Change Magazine

"A wonderful book! To find a previously unknown message from Yogananda now is an extraordinary spiritual gift. ? wonderful to read in bits and pieces, before bed or to open up at random for an encouraging word from one of this century's most beloved spiritual teachers."
—Body, Mind, Spiri