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Swami Kriyananda: As We Have Known Him

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What does it mean to grow spiritually? To be a spiritual teacher? This book offers the example of a man who, through devotion to God and through selfless service and love of others, is a living testimony to our human potential. Through sharing her own experiences of Swami Kriyananda and those of dozens of others who know/knew him, the author gives a picture of a man of generosity, unending kindness and compassion, contagious joy and humor, wisdom, poise, and the deepest devotion to God. This book will be valuable for any serious spiritual aspirant. Students of Yogananda will find it especially meaningful, since Swami Kriyananda has dedicated his life to serving Yogananda. The writing style is completely captivating--once you pick start reading it, you'll find it hard to put down!

This book is fabulous. We use it all the time in our meditation group and for personal sadhanas. Many mornings I will read one of the inspiring passages from the life of this modern sage. Here is one who is applying what he learned from his master to real life situations we all face. Some days I use short readings from this new collection, and alternate days I read from his guru Yogananda's Whispers from Eternity, Metaphysical Meditations or Essence of Self Realization. The power of his simple book was amply demonstrated to me when, while reading the first fifteen pages, I was brought to tears three times! That may be a personal record.

This book should fly out the door once the word gets out. Stories of Swami Kriyananda by those who know him will help thousands realize their deepest aspirations, for they are the stories of a living saint. Account after account witnesses to the depth and breadth of a life lived in tune with the ancient and universal teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. This book is transformative. If you want to spirtualize your life in a very practical way according to the wisdom and experience of a living example, then read it now!

Asha Praver has compiled anecdotal stories about a beloved and world renowned disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Kriyananda. These unique stories give the reader a multi-faceted perspective of Kriyananda's deep connection with Yogananda and how his discipleship to him translates into a life lived for God and for other's seeking God realization. You will laugh, applaud and wonder at the humor, unwavering adherence to truth, and ego transcendence shared in this amazing account of the life of Swami Kriyananda.

Until I read this book, I had only a vague idea of what a guru-disciple relationship ought to be. Swamiji sets one of the greatest examples of how to be a true disciple. This book clearly brings out into light the real power a yogi develops through constant (and ever strengthening) attunement with guru and God.

Most of us (aspiring to find God) are not fortunate enough to be close to (and learn from direct contact with) a great yogi like Swamiji. For us, Asha did a great favor by writing this book. Reading this book, you feel as if you were there with Swamiji.

This is a great book for all spiritual aspirants. It is well known that if one aspires to be a saint one must seek the company of saints. With this book near by, you feel Swamiji's company is not far away. Turn to any page and there is a lesson to learn on how to be saintly. The format of the book (one of ever-new joyful short story) makes it a delightful reading. Thank you Asha.

From Asha Praver's opening comments regarding her first meeting with her teacher, Swami Kriyananda, through the last story that she tells this book is mesmerizing. When I first heard that a book was being written about Swami Kriyananda and his life I thought it wonderful that so much of what this great man has done would be acknowledged and honored and, I must admit, I was eager to read it when it came out. I had no idea, no way of knowing really, what a gem was evolving, and what a treat I was in for. There is simply not a spiritual seeker alive today who will not be thrilled with this book and all will benefit greatly from reading it. Why is this?

The coming together of all of what makes this book great is nothing less than a story of divine grace in and of itself. Asha met her teacher when she was twenty-two years old and knew from across a large room that she needed to be with him. There was no doubt; she was informed, not thought out. Add to this occurrence a woman who is a born story teller and who was then blessed with the ability to remember Swami's exact words, even decades later, and you have a masterpiece in the making.

But even more compelling than all of the author's attributes is the fact that there is a twentieth century American man among us today who is one of the greatest spiritual teachers of all time, and he is made real by the simple telling of hundreds of true anecdotes . We no longer need to read about saints of all ages in many different cultures and try and extrapolate the lessons. Here is a man who has lived a life with many aspects, incidences and events that look eerily like our own. As we follow along with one story after another the teachings are immediately obvious and relevant. We are touched and entertained, and we cannot help but be shaken from any complacency surrounding our own spiritual growth. His greatness is undeniable; His example is the light that will show us the way.

Read this book and leap forward on your spiritual path. Neither the specific path nor one's religion will matter. These teachings express the essential truths underlying all great religions. They are eternal realities; ageless, timeless and soul-expanding.

Being a student of Kriyananda and Yogananda, I thought I knew much about Swamiji. This book has disclosed something I'm not sure I have read elsewhere, and not knowing him personally I had never understood.

Swamiji has many mystical powers. He has the power of Prescience.

It is important to me to know these things. I now see Swamiji with a
new pair of glasses.
Reading the intimate details of the daily decisions made by this living Saint as he leads his followers on the upward path is indeed a rare revelation.
I learned much from Swamiji's approach to problems large and small.

Highly Recommended!

Please also check out his new book "Relations of Christ" listed below

Revelations of Christ: Proclaimed by Paramhansa Yogananda, Presented by his disciple, Swami

This is a book about a remarkable man. Swami Kriyananda, or J. Donald Walters, has dedicated his life to practicing the teachings of his guru, Yogananda. He has certainly had his share of hard knocks, including being kicked out of his guru's organization on trumped up charges. Despite all, these stories show his unflinching resolve to adhere to dharma, or right action in all situations. Inspiring stories abound of grace under adversity, of a remarkable level of forgiveness and of self-forgetfulness, and a life completely dedicated to finding God. This book deserves a careful reading by anyone interested in the process of becoming a saint.

This book is spellbinding. It far exceeded my expectations of what a biography, at its best, can accomplish. It reminds me of a story Swami Kriyananda himself told, of an old movie he'd seen in which the director panned the faces of an audience listening to a singer onstage. His comment was that the director chose to show the movie audience, rather than tell them, how exquisite the singer was.

In a way, this book feels like looking at, and into, those faces. Ms. Praver has presented some powerful personal stories from people who have known Swami Kriyananda--either briefly or for decades--that illustrate universal principles. She has created a magnificent living portrait of a renowned and beloved world teacher.

As someone who has had the great good fortune of knowing Swami Kriyananda for thirty years, I can say that Asha Praver's book, Swami Kriyananda: As We Have Known Him, does a terrific job not only of capturing this great man's spirit, but of presenting it to the world.

Swamiji is a spiritual hero--that rarest of beings in today's modern world: a true saint. To read this book is to spend intimate time in Swami's presence--truly an uplifting experience.

But beyond that, I felt while perusing these pages that my own understanding of life and how to relate to people had been raised to a higher sphere. It is impossible, after finishing Ms. Praver's book, to look at life in the same way. One has been given a glimpse into an exalted way of behavior.

A great saint once said that our religion is tested in the cold light of day. If that is true, one can say from the evidence presented in this book that Swami Kriyananda has passed his test with flying colors. I thank Asha Praver for her generous spirit in sharing the deep and wise teachings of this great man.

I give Swami Kriyananda: As We Have Known Him my highest recommendation. I cannot conceive of anyone not benefiting from reading it. And I predict that many will see their lives changing greatly for the better for doing so.

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