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Journey to Self-Realization

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There can never be an meaningful summary of such an expansive collection of spiritual talks. "Journey" has 44 chapters, but truly hundreds of topics are covered, elucidating the complex puzzles of spiritual and material realms as they interact. Practical guidance for beginners and advanced students alike intermingle with revelatory explanations of the working of the Cosmos and of its Creator. The ordering is not that of an encyclopedia because it is a collection of talks given for different reasons on different occasions - the ordering may well be called divine.

An intellectual may scoff at the idea of divine illumination of any speaker, but monastics who used to accompany Yogananda on his lecture circuits have described how the process expressed itself. Given a particular topic for the day's presentation, Yogananda's introduction would usually begin logically enough; but throughout the lecture seemingly unrelated issues would usually pop up, commence a digression, be tied back in with the main theme, and the main theme resume. Afterwards, the monastic would not infrequently hear from audience members how they thought that they came to hear about the title-subject of the talk but were astonished to hear needed comforting/guiding paragraphs inserted that addressed some unspoken distress or dilemma in their lives.

If you are open to seeing how the Divine can work in your life, just hold your question or need in mind for a few moments; then, in good faith, open the volume at seeming random and read a few pages. There is such wisdom and attunement with the Creator in these pages that it is scarcely possible not to benefit. If you try this experiment and can't see that there is a relation to what you think is your need... please be patient: meditate and still the mind from its anxieties; the relevance of the yoga master's inspiration will almost always become clear. If you come from a skeptical or scientific-linear background such as mine, it may take some time to ask with real, sincere surrender of the heart (not an attitude encouraged in our materialist/intellectualist culture). But with developing relaxation, concentration, and the gradual opening of the heart one can learn to... ASK. And will as a result... RECEIVE.

May I share a few samples of the wise comfort from this volume?
"I believe you can destroy any karma you want to. ... God as the master of this universe has no karma; if you KNOW that you are one with God, there can be no karma for you." (p. 232)
"In reacting to life, most people either say, 'Praise the Lord,' or urge us to be afraid of Him... I think this is very foolish. What can you say to God that will be praise? He is not moved by flattery ...it will not make any difference to Him. But it will make a difference in you. Praise Him - or better still, LOVE Him - and you will feel better." (p. 39)
"Even when you do not have the opportunity to meditate long or deeply, always think that you are working for God. When your mind can remain anchored in Him, you will not suffer any more; no amount of disease or illness will be able to touch you inwardly." (p. 37)

Perhaps it will be helpful for the new reader to be reassured that although Yogananda often talks about the immense benefits to be reaped once you have mastered spiritual pinnacles (e.g., from above examples: "if you know that you are one with God" or "love Him" or "When your mind can remain anchored in Him"), you don't have to wait until you reach mastership to get benefits. Although my experience does not allow me yet to confirm the blessings that come with full "knowing" or "loving" or "anchoring" -- I can testify that the more I practice and move toward these ideals, the greater the blessings I receive. From the methods that Yogananda offers in these talks and in his other publications I have RECEIVED far more than I dared ASK for. I wish the same for you.

This book changed the way I look at life, and my way of thinking.
It is a must for people on the Spiritual path.
Thank you for this book Yogananda!

In Journey To Self-Realization: Collected Talks And Essays On Realizing God In Daily Live, Volume III, (and newly issued by the Self-Realization Fellowship) we are treated to more of Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952) keen spiritual insights ranging from the deepest mysteries of creation to the practical art of balanced living in a complex and contemporary world. Also very strongly recommended for students of religion, spirituality are the two earlier volumes comprising this outstanding trilogy: Man's Eternal Quest and The Divine Romance.