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In the Sanctuary of the Soul: A Guide to Effective Prayer

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It is wonderful that this universally appealing guide to the sacred art of Prayer is published in a Gift edition. With ecumenical expression and clear instruction, Yogananda shows the reader of any faith how one can successfully commune with God through Prayer. How to really get results in doing so, and how to become a more devoted folower of your chosen spiritual path. Yogananda's wisdom can effectively take one's faith from a surface to an inner and real experience. All you gain from the teasures of this book will be with you and bless you always. The author is a great Yoga Master who speaks from his own direct experience. Whoever receives this gift "In the Sanctuary of the Soul" could have a life transforming experience.

Also be sure to read, " Enter the Quiet Heart" by Daya Mata, and "Autobiography of a Yogi"(by Self-realization Publishers) by Paramahansa Yogananda.

Perhaps you are wondering how a mortal could presume to be an authority on how to "get the ear" of the Creator? Then you have probably not read Yogananda's "Autobiography of a Yogi" ( ISBN 0876120834 ), because he describes there his life-long (and successful) search for communion (and union) with The Infinite. During his search, Yogananda made insightful study of the great world scriptures, especially those of India and Judeo-Christianity; more importantly, he studied for ten years directly under one of the most revered yoga masters of India. From Yogananda's search, from his own relentless prayer and meditation, and from his personal experience teaching other seekers he concluded that there is no approach to God has the spiritual potency of this prescribed combination: yoga-deepened meditation plus devotional practice. This handsome little introduction to the highlights of Yogananda's teaching culls from his numerous published works scores of explosive insights for dynamiting difficulties along your spiritual climb. Unlike authors that parrot wisdom they have heard from others, Yogananda speaks from the authority of one who has experienced the view from the mountain top - and the glimpses he gives you of the view will take your breath away. The yoga master's guidance is divided into six sections:

I. Real prayer is a demand of the soul; and the soul has only one need: re-union with its Creator. Wants and wishes are endless... and unreliable. Attuning to and encouraging the need of the soul to realize its immortality, its divinity empowers your prayer. Yogananda urges the reader to cultivate prayer from that depth and explains the vastness of the power you tap thereby.

II. Concentrate the mind's force through yoga. In Shakespeare's HAMLET, even the fratricidal Claudius can see the meaningless of seeming to pray by merely mouthing words -- without the mind and feeling really focusing there [ "My words fly up; my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to Heaven go." ]

III. Know what to pray for. While conceding that you are free to ask for anything from your loving Creator, Yogananda argues persuasively for enabling the Omniscient One to help you pray wisely.

IV. Have a clear conception of God: a conception that you can love, that you can trust, that you can feel intimate with; a God whose essence is love and who is readier to help you than you are to ask.

V. Praying with dynamic will power. Yogananda was a teacher of irrepressible determination to adhere to the highest principles and accomplish the greatest service to humanity. As an Eastern teacher in the conservatively Christian America of the 20's and 30's, the obstacles to his mission were Himalayan. His advice on developing super-human *dynamic* will is based on the principles that he used to establish against all odds a world-wide community of spiritual education that continues vibrantly fifty years after his passing.

VI. Reclaiming your inner sanctuary. The last pages contain some of Yogananda's most beautiful guidance on how to cultivate and sustain your inner peace, your connectedness with omnipresent Spirit -- the state from which prayer becomes natural, intimate, and essentially one with the divine response.

Besides making a superb gift for a friend who may be struggling spiritually, the gems in this collection are excellent to keep at the desk or bedside of a seasoned spiritual aspirant: ideal for random opening to see what encouragement Spirit has for any moment.

Pramahansa Yogananda takes us directly to the heart of the importance of contacting God. In the most simple and direct language and instruction, this great Yoga Master of the century guides the aspiring seeker into effective and practical approaches to lifes greatest quest - cummunion with God.

The significance of this short and simple presentation is that it can be used effectively by the followers of all religions. Communing with God is the one true religion at the heart of all faiths. It is the key to mutual harmony connecting all true religions.

Recommended reading:AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI - MAN'S ETERNAL QUEST - JOURNEY TO SELF-REALIZATION - ONLY LOVE -GOD TALKS WITH ARJUNA(BHAGAVAD GITA) - THE DIVINE ROMANCE - FINDING THE JOY WITHIN YOU........

Having read almost every title that has been published by Paramahansa Yogananda since his world reknown autobiography, I found this book no less inspirational and full of truth. The unique manner in which Paramahansa writes about spiritual matters and truth is something that the reader can and will feel as he reads. The authority of the author will hold the reader captivated from start to finish. This book will show anyone how they can have a personal relationship with God no matter what their spiritual background may be. As with all of his works the reader will find that each time they read this book they will find themselves gaining new insights and inspirations. Timeless reading!

You should not beg or be satisfied with your lot in life, but demand inwardly, teaches the guru. You should increase your "demand power" by yoga, praying wisely, cultivating inner peace, and concentrating on your real needs. When you do it well, God "will satisfy your every desire when you are one with Him. Your wildest dreams will come true," says Yogananda [p. 66].

Maybe they will, maybe not. The guru orator exaggerates. But "every little helps". The main method he vouches for, is related to the yoga method of samyama (sanyama), mentioned by Patanjali [ch 3, v 4 ff]. During samyama one focuses in deep meditation on something in order to make it real, manifest (get) it. That is the key to the guru's method, but an idea of "God" is not necessary in it in the traditional yoga system - but it may help some.

This book is an easy yet profound entrance to prayer between Christian Mysticism ( the original Christ) and Buddhism. I love it and have read it to Hospice patients.

Yogananda's words are always a gift. As he says in this beuatiful book "As a broken microphone cannot broadcast a message, so a restless mind cannot transmit prayers to God". So by quietening the mind we can gain access to the sanctuary of the soul. He gives us insights on how to go about doing this and how by doing so we can change our lives.
Dr Gunta Krumins-Caldwell author of On Silver Wings

I have read several books by Parmahansa Yogananda but this book has been one of my favorites. It was not only a learning experience for me but it answered all the questions that I had. It really made me question how spiritual I really am and It has made me a more spiritual person. No matter what your religion may be I highly recommend this book to everyone. Especially if your someone that wants to get closer to GOD this book will take you there!

Anything written by Paramahansa Yogananda is so far above average and contains the truth, love, widom, and guidance we all seek. I highly recommend all books by this author - his books are a joy to read.