The Perfect Relationship: The Guru and the Disciple [Paperback]

Swami Muktananda (Author), Swami Chidvilasananda (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1980

Swami Muktananda reveals the inner dynamics of the mystical relationship between a student and a spiritual master. Rare insights into the spiritual journey are woven together with philosophy, poetry, and illuminating extracts from great texts of the Eastern tradition

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Swami Muktananda introduced the Siddha Yoga path all over the world, creating what he called a "meditation revolution." He is the author of Play of Consciousness, his spiritual autobiography.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Through the Guru's grace, desire and futile hopes are destroyed. When the mind becomes free of desire, one experiences bliss. No other joy can be likened to this inner bliss; even the joy of heaven is infinitesimal by comparison.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: SYDA Foundation; 1st edition (June 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914602535
• ISBN-13: 978-0914602538
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Guru-disciple relationship is key to spiritual progress, January 9, 2001

By 

"omnient" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perfect Relationship: The Guru and the Disciple (Paperback)

This book shows us how to recognize a true Guru, and having found one, how to enhance that relationship. I have been meditating for many years, but until recently I did not see the need for a Guru. I had no concept of it. It seemed so illogical to me. But now that I do follow a Guru, I find that there is something very mysterious and magical about the relationship. Something very powerful. I find that, just as the book says, by surrendering to and serving the Guru, it allows his Shakti or spiritual energy to automatically come into me and work its miracles. Specifically, and most importantly, it brings my meditation to a much higher level. Meditation becomes effortless and much more productive. I am amazed by the power of this Guru-disciple principle. The author, Swami Muktananda, was a great yogic master who achieved spiritual liberation through his relationship with his Guru. I recommend this book to spiritual seekers who are aware of the importance of the Guru-disciple relationship, and want to enhance it in order to get the most out of it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful words for understanding a Guru, July 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Perfect Relationship: The Guru and the Disciple (Paperback)

This gem of a book has been a valuble help for understanding my Guru and how to appreciate the relationship more fully. When you don't understand the principles behind the Guru and disciple relationship, dealing with your Guru can be difficult. Understanding his words as love, his directions as the gentle proding of a parent, and his requirements as grace makes relating to him so much easier! This is what Swami Muktananda conveys in his book about the Perfect Relationship. Nothing can be more refreshing or complete than the relationship between a disciple and their Guru.

Swami Muktananda writes in a loving way about the qualities of a 'true' Guru, weeding out the 'false' ones as well as what is required to be a disciple that is pleasing to the Guru. He says that what the Guru teaches can be difficult at times but in the end it leads to supreme bliss.

The book is also filled with Swami's ever insightful stories that aid in complete understanding of the concepts he is sharing with the reader. This is a powerful work about a truly precious relationship.