Why God Permits Evil and How to Rise Above It (How-to-Live Series, 2) [Paperback]

Paramahansa Yogananda (Author)

Book Description

Series: How-To-Live | Publication Date: September 1, 2002

Philosophers and religious scholars the world over have sought to answer the question of why a loving God permits evil. In these pages, Paramahansa Yogananda provides strength and solace for times of adversity by explaining the mysteries of God's lila, or divine drama. Readers will come to understand the reason for the dualistic nature of creation- God's interplay of good and evil - and receive guidance on how to rise above the most challenging circumstances.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in India on January 5, 1893, Paramahansa Yogananda devoted his life to helping people of all races and creeds to realize and express more fully in their lives the true beauty, nobility, and divinity of the human spirit. After graduating from Calcutta University in 1915, Yogananda took formal vows as a monk of India's venerable monastic Swami Order. Two years later, he began his life's work with the founding of a how-to-live school since grown to twenty-one educational institutions throughout India where traditional academic subjects were offered together with yoga training and instruction in spiritual ideals. In 1920, he was invited to serve as India's delegate to an International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. His address to the Congress and subsequent lectures on the East Coast were enthusiastically received, and in 1924 he embarked on a cross-continental speaking tour. Over the next three decades, Paramahansa Yogananda contributed in far-reaching ways to a greater awareness and appreciation in the West of the spiritual wisdom of the East. In Los Angeles, he established an international headquarters for Self-Realization Fellowship, the nonsectarian religious society he had founded in 1920. Through his writings, extensive lecture tours, and the creation of Self-Realization Fellowship temples and meditation centers, he introduced hundreds of thousands of truth-seekers to the ancient science and philosophy of Yoga and its universally applicable methods of meditation. Today, the spiritual and humanitarian work begun by Paramahansa Yogananda continues under the direction of Sri Daya Mata, one of his earliest and closest disciples and president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India since 1955. In addition to publishing his writings, lectures and informal talks (including a comprehensive series of Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons for home study), the society also oversees temples, retreats, and centers around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Self-Realization Fellowship (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876124619
• ISBN-13: 978-0876124611
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Eastern > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very thought-provoking, uplifting viewpoint, January 31, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Why God Permits Evil and How to Rise Above It (How-to-Live Series, 2) (Paperback)

How refreshing to hear a level-headed, non-dogmatic exposition on an eternally "hot" topic. This yogi makes a lot more sense to my heart than ninety-nine percent of the stuff I was brought up hearing.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comfort for my heart and head, November 23, 2003

By 

Capitol Yoga Girl (D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why God Permits Evil and How to Rise Above It (How-to-Live Series, 2) (Paperback)

Compassion, loving the doer of evil, turning toward the light...
It is wonderful that Yogananda shows how the tragedies of the world deserve our compassion - and also our dedication to renewing our own connection to the Light. He doesn't deny all the pain of living in a human, fallible world - but he offers a compassionate view of The Divine - and Its call to work our way out (and love our way out) of the pain of a material existence.

The rational mind may balk when it sees no explanation for the suffering and evil that exists in The Creator's Universe. This little volume offers revolutionary insight - for more see Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi.

Give Peace a chance. Give Love a chance. Find, in a genuine EXPERIENCE of God, the love that changes your whole world.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Divine Will and the Choice of Love Peace and Forgiveness, April 13, 2004

By 

Barbara Rose (BornToInspire.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why God Permits Evil and How to Rise Above It (How-to-Live Series, 2) (Paperback)

The deeply moving words of truth from Paramahansa Yogananda show us all how God endowed us with free will, so that we may come to learn, know, feel, practice, and act with love and peace.

This little gem and treasure of a book is as great and as big as the cosmos with Divine truth, which will illuminate your mind, and speak to your soul.

It teaches us to go within, and discover our own Divine God-Self within, where we CA N prevail in peace in our world, once we each choose to individually. It is then that the world will know peace collectively.

HIGHLY Recommended to discover your own Divinity within.
Deserves 10 Stars!

Barbara Rose, Ph.D. author of Know Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Wholeness, Radiance & Supreme Confidence and Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being THE ONE