Reviews (216)

Unbelievable but thought provoking
Unbelievable I say not as a skeptic, but as a true rational person. This same skepticism opens up other horizons in one's thinking - is this all true? Yogi Paramahamsa, the author, renders in this charming and lucid storytelling, facts he came across in his life - like his Master being able to 'know' that they will have guests arriving in the middle of the night; another yogi predicting the author's arrival and telling him of what he did miles away and many more such incidents.
A fantasy book not a spiritual guide
This book is full of stories, or perhaps lies might be a better word, because nowhere is it indicated that the stories are not the truth.
Best book for possibilities of Self Awareness and Spiritual insight
A great introduction to saints, saintly lifestyle, Yogic siddhis, miracles, Krishna Consciousness, etc is easily found in the engaging book of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda - Autobiography of a Yogi . It has given inspiration to do spiritual labour to me whenever I glance at its devotional pages.
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Subjects:  1. 1893-1952    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Eastern - General    5. Eastern - Gurus    6. India    7. Paramahansa,    8. Religion    9. Religious    10. Yogananda,    11. Yogis    12. Religions of Indic & Oriental origin   

Reviews (34)

Blow your mind to save your mind.
A friend turned me on to this book and it changed my whole perspective on life in general and my life personally.
Excellent but brutal
One of the few books I've read that I recommend time and time again to my students - an excellent but brutal analysis of the human condition.
Straight-forward and Easy to Read
With a series of concise essays that are penetrating and remarkably to-the-point, Krishnamurti presents the reader with a many-sided exploration of spirituality, morality, ethics, religion, and belief. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - Gurus    2. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    3. General    4. Human beings    5. Liberty    6. Life    7. Philosophy    8. Psychology    9. Self (Philosophy)    10. Thought and thinking    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Oriental & Indian philosophy    13. Religion / General   

Reviews (19)

beautiful!!
it's a must for everyone. Osho, one of the many great gifts life has given us.

Very Positive
I felt a sense of relief after reading this book. It's very positive and uplifting and very funny at times. It allows you to see your limitless potential instead of instilling a guilt-ridden, "I am a sinner" mentality.

Inspirational!One of the best self help books I've ever read
I read a lot of self-help books.I had read that Osho is a contraversial figure, often accused of being a preachy spiritual quack.This may be true.He does ramble on and interject his teachings with stories (and even jokes!) that don't really support his points.He does seem to like to listen to himself talk.
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Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Courage    3. Eastern - Gurus    4. Inspiration & Personal Growth    5. Meditation    6. Mysticism    7. New Age    8. Religious aspects    9. Spiritualism - General    10. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    11. Physiological & neuro-psychology   

Reviews (6)

A very spiritually elevating book
I found this book very interesting and very elevating. Though sometimes the language can throw you off however after you grasp their meaning they seem to be describing something very deep. The chapters on Babaji and Lahiri Mahasaya are a must read for every aspirant.

Most inspiring book of my life
This book literally altered my life's path.Profound and clicked with my inner mind!Thank you!!

Is It Reality Or A Blend Of Reality And Fantasy?
I read this book thirty years ago(do you think I waited long enough to write this review?) and enjoyed it very much, but found it perplexing.I, myself, am a yogi, but this story would strike most people as being a blend of truth and fantasy.But what is wrong with that?It is a beautiful story that teaches us many things about the way yogis look at life--and death.Do not approach this book with a critical eye on truth.Instead, think of it as a type of epic poem.Reflect on the reality of it at your leasure!One thing is true about this book:the author wrote this book with great love of all humanity!If you have developed an interest in some aspect of yoga and want to learn something more of what traditional yoga(as opposed to the "designer" versions touted lately) is about, give this a try. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Eastern - Gurus    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Religious   

Reviews (3)

engagement calendar
I have been buying this daily calendar for over 10 years. I like the weekly sayings and photos and the layout of the pages. I never consider buying any other.

Contains breathtaking illustrations and words of wisdom......
"Inner Reflections 2007 Engagement Calender" is filled with the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda. Each week of 2007 is being presented with words ringing in truth and wisdom. Furthermore, the illustrations which accompany these priceless comments, makes this calender an inspirarion for all. Additionally, the words are subtly relavent to each painting and picture. This gently forces the reader to probe deeper into the meaning of these words by Yogananda.
unequaled beauty
This calendar has for many years outdone even the Sierra Club calendar, which it otherwise closely resembles.The spiritual quotations add greatly to its overall impact.The photographs are absolutely nonpareil.I continue to marvel at how the organization can come up with such exceedingly beautiful photographs year after year.Many would make stunning prints and a few are actually available as such, although not cheap! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars & Diaries    3. Calendars - Religion - Devotional    4. Eastern - Gurus    5. Non-Classifiable    6. Spirituality - General   

Reviews (13)

The Best Translation Of A Vedic Scripture Ever!!!
I have been studying the Vedic scriptures since 1996. And, I must say, out of all the different translations; the bhagavad-gita, the rig-veda and etc....this one by Sri Swami Satchianda is the best!
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali-Commentary by Swami Satchidananda
This is an excellent book.It gives the Sanskrit for each of the 200 sutras, then the English translation, followed by a comment by Swami Satchidananda.These comments are essential for helping make some of sutras more understandable.I would highly recommend this book.

Much Clear Beautiful Wisdom
This is one of several translations that I have read.I enjoyed it.His explanation is to the point and easy to understand.Some of the examples he gave I thought were long and (even for me) circuitous.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - Gurus    2. Indian Philosophy    3. Patanjali    4. Pataänjali.    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Yoga    7. Yoga, Raja    8. Yoga, Råaja    9. Yogasutra    10. Yogasåutra    11. India    12. Hinduism    13. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (7)

Behind Our Roles To Insight Of A Larger Order Of Objectivity
An excellent book on helping ourselves which in turn act in helping others in a life of service. The awareness first must be found in ourselves before we can exercise the compassion for others. It is here we gain insight into a larger order of lawfulness we cannot understand rationally but which nevertheless resonates within. Compassion becomes an increasingly automatic response.
Every helping professional should read this book
I am a social worker and an author. I have recently become involved with writing about medical as well as human rights issues. (My book BEHIND THE BURQA, which is to be published in October by John Wiley, is the memoir of two women who escaped the brutality of Afghanistan and the suffering they endured in the US.) Through my work, I have come into contact with people, such as the two subjects of my book, who have endured excruciating circumstances. HOW CAN I HELP sits on my night table so that I can read it after I've come home from interviewing someone in pain. It addresses all the issues that come up when people try to help each other, whether as "helping professionals" or simply as friends or family who are reaching out--guilt, burnout, fear, sense of helplessness--the myriad emotions that afflict those who want to make a difference in the lives of others. HOW CAN I HELP is psychologically astute, spiritually enlightening and written with great gentleness, compassion and occasional moments of humor. I feel the authors have become my mentors and friends. They accompany me to detention centers when I interview imprisoned asylum-seekers who have fled horrific tortures. They're with me when I visit people in the hospital. Their wisdom and guidance inspire me and inform my ability to remain intimately involved with people who have undergone horrible suffering. This book should be required reading in medical schools, psychology and social work programs, and any other context in which people are being trained to work with others in need.

Comforting and Revelational
This book is filled with insights. These insights arehidden gems of wisdom revealing our personalities desire to seek and find what we all have in common. This unity is driven by our need and desire to find peace in the midst of life's most difficult moments. As our heart goes out to those in need, our acts of service contain our soul's longing to connect with a fellow soul. Once our soul is awakened in service, a path opens and leads us into a sacred human relationship infused by the power of peace. Thanks, Ram Dass, for your guidance into the realm of spirit through the words written in this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Affirmations    2. Eastern - Gurus    3. Helping behavior    4. Personal Growth - General    5. Psychology    6. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    7. Self-Help / Affirmations   

Reviews (29)

Excellent starting point to learn of Krishnamurti's teachings....
I have several Krishnamurti books and "Think on These Things" is by far the most accessible of any of them.Set in a style of a question and answer format from audience members when he would frequently travel the world and hold public dialogues on his observations on the nature of truth, life, and freedom, among other things. In "Think on These Things" he simply answers questions such as "What is jealousy?"; questions from kids with their naievete, and from adults with their cynicism.
Great Essays
For those who want a good sampling of Krishnamurti's work, this is a good place to start.These are clearly written essays that convey the essence of Krishnamurti's thought.
A gem
This is a magnificent collection of Krishnamurti's talks with students and teachers. The thought-provoking and enlightening appeal of Krishnamurty's words emnates from each and every page of this book.
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Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Eastern - Gurus    3. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    4. Philosophy    5. Cultural studies    6. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    7. Oriental & Indian philosophy    8. Religion / General   

Reviews (6)

Meditation Demystified
Yogananda was a master teacher. In this book he gives one of the simplest guides to meditation. Going inward allows you to taste the bliss of inner peace.
A magnificent printing of timeless inspiration
This little gem of abook is an ideal gift of peace.Universal, soul-satisfying insights and comforts from the great yoga master who founded Self-Realization Fellowship.For the sincere spiritual seeker here are the fundamentals common to all true religions and spiritualities.For the average person in modern society, here is comfort and relief from the alienation and distress of our material cultures. A magnificent printing of timeless inspiration
This little gem of abook is an ideal gift of peace.Universal, soul-satisfying insights and comforts from the great yoga master who founded Self-Realization Fellowship.For the sincere spiritual seeker here are the fundamentals common to all true religions and spiritualities.For the average person in modern society, here is comfort and relief from the alienation and distress of our material cultures.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Eastern - Gurus    3. Hinduism    4. Inspirational - General    5. Peace    6. Religion    7. Religious aspects    8. Spiritual life    9. Spirituality - General    10. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    11. Worship   

Reviews (9)

Response to Randy LeJeune: "Great Book But Why Only 1/3...?"
Couldn't be improved upon. — In response to Randy LeJeune ofBaton Rouge, LA: "But why stop at chapter six when the Gita has eighteen chapters? I don't get it. It's not finished. As good as what he has translated is, it would be great if he had completed the job." — It WAS completed, but was not to be released until such time as was found to be appropriate according to the progress of meditators or world consciousness or both – I don't know which. The eighteen chapters of the Gita may be grouped according to each set of six chapters. Each set describes life in different stages of human development. Chapters one through six talk about progression from Transcendental to Cosmic Consciousness, chapters seven through twelve describe evolution from Cosmic to God Consciousness, and the final six chapters of thirteen through eighteen delineate human progress from God Consciousness to Unity Consciousness – the supreme human achievement. Beyond Unity, is Brahman Consciousness. But since this necessitates vibrating outside of the human nervous system, there is no human method of describing or validating it. So as Maharishi says: "Don't worry about it." As poor luck would have it, someone stole the remaining 12 chapters from Charlie Lutes in whose possession and safe keeping it was supposed to remain by not returning the manuscript after borrowing it from him. There is no additional copy of the original manuscript and no intention so far as I know of (circa 1994) that Maharishi ever intends to rewrite the missing chapters.

A Happy Ending to a Long Search
Several years ago I read one of the many translations available of the great classic, The Bhagavad-Gita.I was deeply moved by its beauty and by the ring of truth it conveyed.But it left me frustrated. I wanted to know how I could experience for myself the great truths of life and living presented in this luminous wok of literature.I wanted to be able to live my life with equanimity and balance amidst all the pairs of opposites in life, and I wanted to attain the higher states of human consciousness alluded to in the text.Nothing was mentioned that could point me in the direction of realizing these goals.Nor could I find any translations or commentaries of the Gita that offered a practical means for experiencing the kind of transformation its message promised. It is spelled Bhagavad-Gita, not ghita
This is a great book written by a great man. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - Gurus    2. General    3. Hinduism    4. New Age    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Philosophy / Religious   

Reviews (8)

Does God play dice?
Albert Einstein said: "I am convinced that He (God) does not play dice." He also said: "When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous."
Bare Bones Essence of Divinity
This volume which comprises Gandhi's wisely succinct Gujarati translation of and commentary on the Gita, the central statement of his religious faith, introduced by the 134 page thickly detailed commentary of his intimate associate and English translator, Mahadev Desai, deserves a wider audience.There are a number of important reasons for my claim.
A very insightful Book
I think Gandhi's translation and commentary of the Gita is really good. His explanations are clear and insightful and he speaks from experience. There is also an essay he wrote to accompany the Gita as an introduction. It explains his path to the Gita, gives an overview of the Gita, and explains how he came to render a translation of it (Gita) with the help of others.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Eastern - Gurus    3. Hinduism    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Spirituality - General    7. Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts   

Reviews (11)

Vomit is in the Mouth of the Beholder
Creativity, Unleashing the Forces Within, Osho
First Osho book
I'm in high school and this was the first Osho book and only book so far that I have read.It did help me understand how to think more creatively and has several great quotes that will leave you analyzing everything you do in your life from the day you put the book down.He encourages an open mind yet is very direct on his religious beliefs at times which may be hard for some people to get around.I'm not too religious myself, but I did enjoy the different spiritual interpretations and comparisons.His action vs. activity section will leave you asking yourself why you ever watch tv or do anything non-creative at all.It will motivate you to not only do more with your life, but also help you think more outside the box. He does like to repeat himself a little bit which I actually liked instead of a beginning to end straight and narrow approach.

Master
Osho is a master spiritual teacher.He draws from all different traditions to express points that lie behind the symbolic languages used by these traditions.I recommend highly his works. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Creative ability    4. Eastern - Gurus    5. Inspiration & Personal Growth    6. Meditation    7. Mysticism    8. New Age    9. Religious aspects    10. Spiritual life    11. Cognition & cognitive psychology    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / Authorship    13. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques   

Reviews (17)

Man's Eternal Quest Book
I can't say enough about this book and the powerful message relayed by Paramahansa Yogananda.Although Paramahansa is no longer alive, when I read his books and hear his message about God and living for God I cannot help but to feel that I am in master's presence and enlightened by God and his powerful all mighty light.Just as he tells his devotees at his talks and speeches that took place during his early years in America, I feel like if he's alive now and telling me exactly what he told them and that is that as he spoke to his disciples, he could see God blessing each and every one of them.My life is changing each day.I am little by little experiencing small miracles in my life and I know that those are coming from God because of my new found devotion for spiritual growth and knowledge about the almighty Christ.I hope you too choose this path of self realization through master's works and live your life blessed as I am living mine.

A Priceless Spiritual Gem!
This volume of Yogananda's collected talks and lectures should be on the shelf of every student of Eastern Wisdom, along with its two sequels, no matter which tradition they follow, and even if they follow no specific tradition at all.

The Universe Unveiled
Another masterful book by the Yogi.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - Gurus    2. Hinduism    3. Inspirational - General    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Spirituality - General    7. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness   

Reviews (9)

The Wisdom of the ages within those pages...
Like all of the great books written by Paramahansa Yogananda this one spills over with loving wisdom - as gentle and divine messsages of hope for this stressed out world that we live in are shared from his heart.
A Spritual Masterpiece!
This collection of Yogananda's talks, along with its two companion volumes, should be on the shelf of every student of Eastern Wisdom, no matter what tradition they follow, and even if they don't follow any tradition, its just that good!

And the greatest of these is Love...
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...Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Eastern - Gurus    3. Mysticism    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Spirituality - General    7. Christian & quasi-Christian cults & sects    8. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness   

Reviews (19)

One Destination, Many Paths
Sri Yukteswar, teacher of Paramhansa Yogananda of India, does a great service to the West.In this treatise he clearly shows how all religions essentially reveal the same truths.Using Biblical as well as Hindu sacred scriptures he compares the essence of these beliefs and binds them togther.A must read for any serious student of Mahayoga.
The Holy Science
Marvelous book.In an age of misunderstandings and hostilities toward people whose beliefs are different from our own, this little book brings us back together.Calming, delightful, enlightening.For the novice and the adept.

A Prophet for Eternity
For any seeker of t