Customer Reviews

The Essence of Self-Realization: The Wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda

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Luckily for us, Swami Kriyananda wrote down in his journals practically everything beautiful and wise that his guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, said to him in private conversation. The Essence of Self-Realization, a compilation of many of these private teachings, gives us an idea of what it was like to speak with an enlightened master on a variety of spiritual topics. Yogananda didn't go in-depth into these things with every disciple. He tried to encourage many to develop a silent, inner attunement. But he foresaw that Kriyananda would share what he learned with many thousands of people, so he blessed him with these pearls of wisdom. This is a book that should be read and mentally digested slowly. Take your time, read a little bit, and meditate on it. At least, that is how I've gotten the most out of it. And there is a great deal here to absorb.

Richard Salva--author of Soul Journey from Lincoln to Lindbergh [UNABRIDGED]

What a wonderful tool this book is for any spiritual seeker. The author has recorded quotes from his great guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, and has presented them in such a way as to bring the reader very close to the consciousness of Yogananda. Each of the twenty chapters focuses on a theme, for instance, "The Lesson of Reincarnation", and covers many aspects with numerous quotes, some of which cover multiple pages. The author must have an amazing memory to be able to produce such volumes of quotes, or a great ability to tune in to the wisdom of his great guru.

This book, like all things relating to Yogananda, is a priceless gem. What more can I say? Words cannot adequately describe it.

A beautiful presentation of Paramhansa Yogananda's teachings. One can feel that they are sitting at the feet of the Master, soaking in the truths passed down through the ages.

This book is a priceless work containing some of the Master's teachings, sayings, and anecdots, which should be on the shelf of every student of Eastern Wisdom, whether or not he is a devotee of Yogananda's lineage.

J. Donald Walters, who became Swami Kriyananda, was one of Yogananda's closest disciples during the master's last years. Kriyananda took copious notes on what Yogananda said and later worked this material into books.

I ordered three books by Kriyananda at the same time: "The Essence of Self-Realization," "Conversations with Yogananda," and "The Path." I read "The Path" first because it has a story--Kriyananda's own spiritual journey. But it's the other two books, which are collections of direct quotations, that I keep returning to.

If you are unfamiliar with Yogananda, I would recommend "Essence" as the best introduction. If you want more, then continue with "Conversations."

For me, these books have been a great aid to meditation and clarity.

A friend of mine once described this book as being like what Yogananda would have said, had someone sat down with him and asked him, "What do you believe?" The answers are in this book, in sections that are grouped by topic.

The Essence of Self-Realization is enjoyable, readable, and very inspiring. Swami Kriyananda does a good job of guiding the reader through the quotes from Yogananda, by placing them in an order that helps to clarify their meaning, and deepen the understanding of the reader.

The result is a book that can be read through in order, or opened at random, and still offer a good reading experience. Highly recommended! (In fact, I just recommended it to a friend, who is interested in finding out more about the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.)

This is my favorite book to offer people who are just getting interested in the spiritual path, no matter what path they follow. It is written as short (one paragraph to two pages) "sound bites." Kriyananda took notes of things Yogananda said, some of them quite brief but pithy, others somewhat longer. But they are all so clear and appealing, and make topics that many people don't understand -- things like karma, reincarnation, what is sin, guru, disciple, meditation--crystal clear. Most people say, "Of course!" The short paragraphs of text make it very easy and delightful reading.

I found this book to be extremely enlightening. I wish I had known about it along time ago. I would have been better off as a young adult.

Paramhansa Yogananda once again demonstrates his abounding joy, grace, wisdom and warmth through this rapturous work. Master Yogananda has the uncanny ability to reach his readers/students with a most liberating and evocative style of teaching that melds unabridged clarity with singular wit. I don't mean to imply that he is flippant, but he will use the humor of irony to illuminate one's proclivities towards constipated thinking. 5 stars.