Spiritual Masters

The Divine Romance - Collected Talks and Essays. Volume 2 (Collected Talks and Essays)

by Paramahansa Yogananda

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"If it contained only his opening essay from 1943, "How to Cultivate Divine Love", this volume would more than warrant the cover price: it is persuasive, revelatory, show-stopping. Everyone talks about love. Everyone is moved by an unconscious yearning for this intangible indispensible. After lifetimes of pursuing and then achieving the Source of Love, in this seventeen-page essay Yogananda offers a timeless explanation of this elusive be-all and end-all of our existence. For those that confuse Love with sex or who cannot imagine that any love can surpass their feelings for their child or their beloved, these words are probably wasted. But for those who have been graced by even a whiff of the Creator's love or have intuitively felt that behind the temporary world of human ecstasies must lie a Divine Source and Experience, these words will ring as truth: this author has tasted The Whole Loaf, not just enjoyed wafting aromas. No matter how often it is distorted and dimmed in its human expressions, the irresistable pull of Divine Love keep working on us, because, as Yogananda explains..."If you could feel even a particle of divine love, so great would be your joy -- so overpowering -- you could not contain it." It is from connection with that Divine that the faces of long-silent, meditating yogis of India beam with unrepentant Joy, that the whirling Sufi dervish tirelessly dances without apparent partner. With unblinking insight and full compassion, Yogananda reflects on the varied places and degrees of human success in finding lasting love, because "...by investigating human love, we can learn something of divine love, for in human love we have glimpses of that love of God's."As devotional as he is, Yogananda goes far beyond gushing. He provides useful anaysis of the ways human beings are "clever in their ignorance" and avoid achieving the very End they so desperately crave. Near the end of "How to Cultivate..." he brings us back on track to the systematic, selfless practices of ecumenical meditation upon the Source of our being, the Source of all love:... "If you meditate deeply, a love will come over you such as no human tongue can describe; you will know (Divine Love), and you will be able to give that pure love to others." Yogananda's pronouncements ring with the unmistakable authority of someone who KNOWS, who has been there, who has practiced and seen the results. Throughout this volume's forty-seven chapters we learn about the universality of spirituality across all religions and all ages, and we hear from someone with a cosmic, ages-long perspective about the path we have been climbing (often unconsciously) and about means for speeding our ascent. As he both explains and exemplifies, Yogananda insists that even though the path requires periods of dedicated solitude, it is not solitary: single-pointed love for God also means serving children of the Divine.When you read "Divine Romance" you will probably identify some chapters as 'the best.' My own experience suggests this is just a function of what the reader needs at the time. They are all jewels, sparkling with special appeal when they are shedding light on areas of particular darkness of particular days. That being said, I'll still highlight some special essays:"The Mind: Repository of Infinite Power" - Wisdom from the ancient-and-modern science of yoga on how to harness that wildest of human organs, the mind. This chapter includes a blessed reminder for anyone who has studied the full three years of Yogananda's "SRF Lessons" on meditation and spiritual development. So luxurious with methods and skills to practice are his teachings that students with perfectionist leanings sometimes feel close to giving up because of the impossibility of mastering ALL the practices described. Reassuringly, the yoga master promises, "If you practice one millionth of the things that I tell you (in these teachings) you will reach God.""Personal and Impersonal God" - This powerful talk resolves the apparent contradiction of God being able to be both personal and impersonal. Yogananda explains the important value in taking either perspective in our pursuit of The Divine. He also explains the role of Christ and other personal manifestations of divinity in varied religious paths to The Transcendent. "How to Find a Way to Victory" - A brilliant essay that puts to shame all the shallow get-rich-quick books on 'success.' He always keeps us conscious of how multi-faceted our striving must be -- even when it concerns particularly worldly outcomes. As one who achieved these ends before attempting to teach others how to do so, Yogananda explains that outer victories always require inner victories first: "He who becomes master of himself is a real conqueror." ... "And in this inner victory, I find the whole world at my command. ...all things are made clear in the great light of God."Throughout the talks and essays of Divine Romance, Yogananda keeps returning us to our search for the Ultimate Kingdom of love and wisdom: "To gain this wisdom of God is the only purpose for which you were sent here; and if you seek anything else intead, you are going to punish yourself." Gospel-like, n'est-ce pas? Always ringing with Truth because here is someone who has walked the walk. Enjoy! --rp"

Publisher: Self-Realization Fellowship | More reviews: amazon.com

The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa: The Life-Story and Teaching of the Greatest Poet-Saint Ever to Appear in the History of Buddhism

by Garma C.C. Chang

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"In May 1992 I discovered Volume Two of this title on a shelf at Border's in Philadelphia. I opened the book and saw these lines: "The woes of life succeed one another Like the sea's incessent waves -- One has barely passed, before The next one takes its place. Until you are liberated, pain And pleasure come and go at random Like passers-by encountered in the street." (page 635) I felt in love with the text. I read the book from cover to cover and spent three months to track down Volume One and read it. If there is ever a marriage between Passion and Devotion, this book is an example. I wish Garma were still alive."

Publisher: Shambhala | More reviews: amazon.com

How You Can Talk With God

by Paramahansa Yogananda

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"If you are new to Yogananda's writing, you may think that How You Can Talk with God is a presumptuous title. But if you have read his Autobiography of a Yogi, you know full well that this is no ordinary theoretical or inspirational author. He prayed almost unceasingly from infancy - meditated almost as early - and received RESPONSES from The Divine. Throughout his writings and in his SRF Meditation Lessons for his students Yogananda demonstrates the greatest faith in the truths he presents: he discourages students from accepting his words blindly and urges them instead TO TEST their validity in the laboratories of their own lives, meditations, prayers. This brief, to-the-point, power-packed book is no exception and is an excellent place to begin your exploration of Yogananda's brilliant writing and genuine love.The fundamental thesis of How You Can Talk with God (HYCTWG) is displayed in its title: "...WITH God" not just "...to God." Like Saint Francis, Yogananda discerns prayer as TALKING to God and meditation as LISTENING to God; this book Yogananda explains how we need to develop BOTH these parts of our soul-Spirit relationship. The unique contribution of Yogananda's essay is to explain the power of classic yoga methods of meditation for clearing the mental static from our minds - and to introduce the power of the advanced Kriya Yoga methods that he continues to disseminate through Self-Realization Fellowship. Not everyone is ready for the discipline required by the advanced Kriya methods (described more fully in Yogananda's Autobiography), but everyone can benefit from the simple beginning-level instruction offered in HYCTWG. If you will carry this small gem in your pocket or pocket-book with you and dip into it during moments of stress, confusion, or just apathy, I think you will find yourself increasingly drawn to practice its principles of scientific meditation and personal prayer. Hopefully, the reality of the promised benefits of even deeper communion will gradually tug at your soul's deepest needs and spur you to the next level of study. Then it's time to turn to the Autobiography or the instructions in HYCTWG for advanced Lessons."

Publisher: Self-Realization Fellowship | More reviews: amazon.com

Women of Power & Grace: Nine Astonishing, Inspiring Luminaries of Our Time

by Timothy Conway

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"I am absolutely enthralled at the superb quality of work found in this book. The book gives a fascinating introduction to these Great Saints, and includes an in depth survey of their teachings. Absolutely recommend this book to seekers on the spiritual path."

Publisher: Wake Up Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Seeds of Genius: The Early Writings of Alan Watts

by Alan Watts

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Publisher: Element Books Ltd | More reviews: amazon.com

The First Sikh Spiritual Master: Timeless Wisdom from the Life and Techniques of Guru Nanak

by Harish Dhillon

Explore the life of a great spiritual leader--and walk the peaceful path toward God-realization. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born during a period of political and religious turmoil in India in the fifteenth century. Tension between Hindus and Muslims had escalated, leading to greater polarization of the two religions. By establishing Sikhism, Nanak created a synthesis of Hinduism and Islam with the belief that God is One. He advocated a casteless society based on truth, unity, and equality. During his twenty-three years of traveling he taught not only in India but also in Tibet, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and in the area of the present-day countries of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran, preaching the truth as he perceived it and showing humankind the path to salvation. Highlighting his quest for tolerance and compassion, this fascinating biography tells the story of a unique spiritual leader who showed a gentle, peaceful path to realizing God. Admired, loved and respected even in his lifetime, Guru Nanak continues to command admiration and respect five hundred years after he lived, with his lasting universal message of Absolute Unity more urgent and necessary than ever before.

Publisher: Skylight Paths Publishing | More reviews: amazon.com

Mircea Eliade's Vision for a New Humanism

by David Cave

The influential scholar of religion Mircea Eliade envisioned a spiritually destitute modern culture coming into renewed meaning through the recovery of archetypal myths and symbols. Eliade defined this restoration of meaning as a "new humanism" of existential meaning and cultural-religious unity. Through a biographical exegesis of Eliade's life and writings from his earliest years in Romania to his final ones as professor of the history of religions at the University of Chicago, Cave sets forward a structural description of what this "new humanism" might have meant for Eliade, and what it signifies for modern culture. Cave concludes by endorsing Eliade's radically pluralistic vision which, he argues, offers a key to the revitalization of our demythologized and material culture. This study repositions previous Eliadean studies and places the "new humanism" as the paradigm in relation to which future readings of Eliade should be evaluated.

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA | More reviews: amazon.com

An Informal Talk By Paramahansa Yogananda - Collector's Series #10. In the Glory of the Spirit (Collector's (Self-Realization Fellowship))

by Paramahansa Yogananda

The voice of Paramahansa Yogananda. In the Glory of the Spirit, No. 10 in our special Collector's Series of rare recorded talks, was recorded on Paramahansa Yogananda's birthday, January 5, 1949 at the Self Realization Fellowship International Headquarters in Los Angeles. Yogananda addresses a joyous gathering at his birthday celebration and reminisces with great love, wisdom and humor about the divinely orchestrated events surrounding his departure from India in 1920 to spread the message of Kriya Yoga meditation to the west.
These digitally restored archival recordings of talks by Paramahansa Yogananda are unique - offering the listener a rare opportunity to hear the actual voice of a great lover of God. Anyone who admires Yogananda's writings will love hearing him speak. Yogananda can be heard sometimes expounding great truths with passion and humor, and at other times intimately talking with God, rapt in divine communion.

Publisher: Self-Realization Fellowship | More reviews: amazon.com

How To Be A Success: The Wisdom of Yogananda, Volume 4

by Paramhansa Yogananda

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"The purity of heart, devotion, and strength of character are felt in Yogananda's words. The book is well done, like the others in the series. I enjoyed them all very much. Well written. Definitely a bedside companion. Thanks!"

Publisher: Crystal Clarity Publishers | More reviews: amazon.com

The Spirit of One Earth: Reflections on Teilhard De Chardin and Global Spirituality

by Ursula King

Publisher: Paragon House Publishers | More reviews: amazon.com