Sayings of Paramahansa Yogananda

This title is perhaps somewhat overlooked today because of the immense popularity of the greater length of the more recent "Where There Is Light" - a wonderful collection of inspirationals from the yoga master. "Sayings" does, however, provide a collection of complex and thought-provoking insights that often go still deeper than many in "WTIL". Many quotations in "Sayings" take the form of questions (today we might say FAQs) from students on puzzling aspects of life and yoga's instructions for life. Just to give you a feel, consider the student who protested that he couldn't be expected to succeed in using yoga to reach heights of physical and spiritual success the way Yogananda had because after all, "...Sir, you are a master!" Yogananda replied, "All souls are equal. The only difference between you and me is that I made the effort..."Some of my favorite quotations show Yogananda's ever-present humility and desire to turn students' attention away from him and toward the Creator, as when a student asked, "...Dr. Lewis was your first disciple in this country, wasn't he?" Yogananda left the questioner a little aback when he responded, "That's what they say." He then added that he never called students his disciples: "God is the Guru; they are His disciples." If you found yourself moved by Yogananda's "Autobiography of a Yogi" or have studied his meditation Lessons (still available from Self-Realization Fellowship), you will really appreciate these Sayings. Sometimes A m a z o n seems only to have used copies of this title available, but you can get new copies of both cloth and paperback editions from the educational organization Yogananda founded at yogananda-srf dot org.

I bought and read "Sayings of Paramahansa Yogananda" several months ago and found it very insightful. Whenever I pick it up, I find it is just as refreshing and uplifting as before, regardless to which page I turn. I am impressed with the manner that Paramahansaji addresses the most profound and elusive questions, to the most trivial ones, whether about spirituality or everyday living. He does it with such candor and wit that, the deepest philosophical truths become accessible to the reader. The precepts are simple and practical enough to implement in everyday living. I feel so much more empowered whenever I reflect and implement these precepts and I am pleased to point out that One does not have to be highly spiritual or religious to appreciate this book or derive benefits from it. I think it is a treasure and highly recommend it.