This book, by the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, gives an accurate an authoritative view on the opinions and ideas held by that sect. Prabhupada tries to identify Krsna with Christ and tries to come across as being the foremost proponent of 'the science of self realization' rather than a member of some sectarian cult. He denies that the labels of 'Hindu', 'Christian' or 'Muslim' are of any use to those who are not devoted to god. But he over and over again seems to emphasize the Hindu scriptures and holds that they must be taken literally. His basic theological arguments is basically the same as that of all other fundamentalists: 'if you disagree with my interpretation of the books that I consider holy and divinely-inspired, then you are a fool and a heathen'. Even so, some of his conversations with Christian leaders is thought-provoking. The emphasis that ISKCON places on vegetarianism, celibacy and chanting is gone over in detail, but the outsider is more likely to feel that he or she has been wise to keep away from the movement. Prabhupada doesn't tend to listen to anyone who disagrees with him even when his logic is poor -- he will often not allow them to finish their train of thought and refers to his opponents over and over again as 'fools', even going as far as to deny that Sancarya believed in god and to say that all non-Bhakti yogis will not receive salvation despite the position of the advaita school of the Vedanta. But he does say something in some of the interviews about his background as a husband, father, and profession as a chemist before becoming a sanyasi, which idealises the idea of non-attached work encouraged in the Bhagavad-Gita.

This here is a wonderful collection of assembled essays, exegeses, interviews, and letters to serve as a guide on the path of realization of the Supreme Personality of the Godhead. We need to realize that our sole devotion should be our return to Krishna, and we should fully serve God. This world's political leaders are lost without Realization, and by serving them we shall never have satisfaction. The process of Krishna consciousness is not a story of secondhand religion- no no, it is a science. In the material world we inquire about illusory irrelevant things, rather than Brahman. He discusses how we are mediated by a guru, and warns us of the charlatans people have been fooled by. 'Pay me and in six months you can be God!' A guru need not be affiliated with any religion, he only teaches people to love God and focus on Him. Indeed, as one of the chapters is titled, Jesus Christ was a guru. But how many people sincerely follow his message nowadays? It's extremely scarce.

He does not like to be identified as a Hindu. He is not preaching any sect's truth over the others, instead a universal spiritual Unity that anyone who wants to love God can experience. The distinction of "Hindu" "Muslim" or "Christian" is a rubber stamp that was later added on to God consciousness.

We cannot follow a religion or love God until we know the meaning of what these 2 things refer to.

Wow! What a book! This was the first Prabhupada book that I ever read. IT ROCKED MY WORLD! The topics it covered changed my life.

I almost underestimated the book because of it's easy read style, but it holds some of the most sublime topics and answers I have ever found in a piece of literature. It also pulled no punches. Topics like evolution, god has a personality, and Christ and Krishna really made me think and question my own life.

I will always be eternally greatful for this book.

I read this book twice and I feel like reading it again. This book is a tour about life and spiritual experiences of Sages and Saints who do pennence in search of the divine light. A must read.

!Happy Reading!

I just love this book. It consists of a collection of short "essays", autobiographical, and philosophical, about the author's life growing up in the Himilayas.

Much of Swami Rama's life seems biblical in it spiritual "magic"--it displays similar themes and miracles that you find in the New Testament. For instance, his father's guru predicted that he and his wife--although he was over 60, and she over 40--would have a son who would follow the father's master. The parents, childless for years, declare that this would be a miracle, but that if it happens, the child is his. 18 months later, they have a child, the Swami. When is three, the Master returns and initiates him by whispering a mantra in his ear.

When the Swami is still young, his parents die, and the master comes for him, and they travel together. Often, the master sends his disciple off to study with another guru for a period of time, but throughout his training into his adulthood, the master is, so to speak, the point around which the Swami Rama orbits in his spiritual peregrinations.

He describes many miracles. We witness a resurrection, a miraculous feeding of the poor, and other bizarre, often familiar, miracles. India seems like a land of magic.

Is all this b.s.? Who knows. One thing is certain...the Swami Rama is not self-promoting in this book. He doesn't present himself, for instance, as the performer of miracles. But he does witness them, and is on at least on occasion the recipient of one.

In any case, this book is a good read--simple, wise, and entertaining. I can't recommend it enough.

One of the greatest books about living the life of a yogi, this book provides great inspiration towards spirituality and devotion towards one's own master(Guru bhakti). Reading this book provided a feeling of living with the great Swami Rama throughout his life in Himalayas. It changed my life and thinking and oriented me towards actions needed to reach one's own goal.

This is a charming book, depicting 1930s India as seen through the eyes of the schoolboy Swami. All the trials and tribulations of children's daily lives are there: strained relationships with adults (including of course teachers), and falling in and out of friendships with other children. Nothing remarkable or original in this subject matter, but of course there's the British Raj to add to life's complications: the strangeness of having Bible lessons in Indian schools, increasing political tensions and violence, and last but not least, cricket.

American readers who are not familiar with cricket have nothing to fear about the frequent references to it in the book - it's sufficient to know that cricket is a sport which was (and is) hugely popular in India - an added irony as its was adopted after the British brought it with them. However, it may help to know that Swami's nickname of "Tate" is after the famous England international cricketer, Maurice Tate (1895-1956), who was particularly famous in the 1920s and 1930s.

The book is generally well-written, but I found problems with the author's style. Swami's views of the world and the way he expresses himself are not consistently convincing - at times it reads more like the auther stating his own mature views rather than those that would be expressed by a ten year old boy. And, churlish though it may be, I couln't help a small laugh at a line like:

"The teacher came in and stood aghast. He could do little more than look on and ejaculate."

Though this probably says more about the state of my mind and sense of humor than about Narayan's writing.

"Swami and Friends" has a great deal of appeal, but many faults too. However, one must take into account that it was a first novel, and it certainly hasn't put me off reading more of Narayan.

I bought this book based on my memory of the wonderful Indian series "Swami". while the stories from the series are not part of the book, I found the book to be absolutely fascinating. R.K.Narayan is surely one of the giants of Indian fiction!

This Great book form R K Narayan made me remember my childhood and school days and those innocent years. Especially Swami's Grand mother, his friend Rajam and mani's characters touched the heart. This book has got lot of practical humor. Definately this book will keep you at a lighter mood and will make you to remember the stories for ever. Any guy born and brought up in India can find paralles between him and Swamy.

This book is not just the story of a great master. It answers
many questions about spirituality. Many references are given
about the practices that are followed by the himalayan masters.
And its a well written very inspiring book.

I read it many times and will read it many more times.

This book is an outstanding opportunity for anyone who wishes to catch invaluable wisdom that has been handed down a lineage of great yogi's for thousands of years. This book literally has a life force of it's own much in the same way as 'Living with the Himalayan Masters' and 'Autobiography of Yogi', that will continue to reveal many more gifts each time it is read. While Swami Rama was born and raised in the Himalayan cave monastaries, when his master sent him to the west it was not to propagate any religion, "isims", "anities" or other forms of spiritual dogma. His master led him to the west to build a bridge between east and west which he clearly started at the Menninger Foundation in Kansas in the early 1970's by stoping his heart and voluntarily making it max out the limits of the testing equipment at 312 beats per minute. This book takes you through most of the Swami's life history but it's biggest gift is the intimate manner in which it is written, which makes the reader feel like she or he is the one these teachings are being imparted to. For those who are willing to walk the path of real spiritual progress ... this book will prove to be an endless source of inspiration.

An excellent account of Swami's life and his message to the humanity.

even if vishnu-devananda is the 'best' yogi in many ways. Though they are beautiful, many of the photos make some of the asanas look more difficult than they are; some of them ARE that difficult, and you can't tell what's feasible for your level and what's not. The sets and ordering at the appendix are good. Some of the Vishnu-deavananda and Sivananda theories on yoga are very uncompromising, and individuals really must wonder and think when they read these. What IS the physical and/or mental, spiritual benefit of sexual abstinence for example? Many people just ignore this. What about vegetarianism? Are the yogic theories the same as the new western ones? Do they lead to one another, is there a logical link? Religion and biology are so mixed up together, and westerners just become pseudo-hindus sometimes, and end up looking stupid and becoming useless people. The Sivananda program demands questioning, and does not always provide answers. What does chanting a few oms do? Do you need to know what you're saying when you chant a mantra to benefit from it? One of the things I like about Bikram Choudhoury's approach is that he nixes all this [poor] spiritualism not because he doesn't find it true and/or useful, but because he doesn't think one should just go through the motions without understanding what they're doing, and so he focuses on and explains the physical benefits of the asanas with some expectation that their performance will lead a yogi into different habits and a different life. I don't know which way is better. Anyway, the book is good. It's not my favorite

I wouldn't recommend this book for beginners. It has some good poses, but some of them you just can't figure out without an instructor.

I was lucky to be a student of Sivaram, a direct student of Vishudevananda. Through Sivaram, I experienced the sweetness of disposition of a true yogi and I was exposed to the enormous esteem in which he was held. The postures and philosopy in this book were taught to Vishnudevananda by his teacher, Sivananda. Sivananda was a medical doctor before he became a "yogi" and great teacher of many who came from India to the West to teach this ancient art. These teachers were "pioneers" of yoga in the West, developing classes as well as lecturing and demonstrating before groups of people during the 1960's. Rather than critiquing their "form" in the postures, one would praise them for opening up the West to the teachings and practice of yoga so that we all may continue to learn and grow in this ancient art and science. Reading this book will help any yoga aspirant to more fully understand the yogic philosophy and introduce the student to some of the 84,000 yoga postures. The postures in the book encompass the major areas of hatha yoga practice: forward bends, backward bends, balancing, inversions, and twists, and so are a complete introduction to the practice of yoga.

With over two dozen languages and more than five million hardbound copies in print, undoubtedly, Bhagvad Gita As it is by Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the best selling and widely read classic in world literature. It reflects the main literary support for the great religious civilization of India, the oldest surviving culture in the world. This sacred book is well explained, easy to read with sanskrit shlokas well translated and pronunciations made easier. The subject of Bhagvad Gita entails the comprehension of five basic truths. First, science of god is explained and than the position of living entities, jivas. The living entity is controlled by the controller 'God head krsna' and the material nature 'prakriti' and time, the duration of existence of the whole universe and karma 'activity' are discussed. Finally, its god's wish and he makes or breaks the world! Bhagvad gita is written with 18 chapters - the conversation of krsna with Arjun as brief below:

1. Chapter One: Arjun gives up determination to fight at the battlefield of kuruksetra out of grief n pity when he sees his intimate relatives, teachers and friends in both armies ready to fight and sacrifice their lives.
2. Chapter Two: Krsna begins his teachings to Arjun and explains the distinction bet. the temporary material body and eternal spiritual soul. Characteristics of self realized person is explained.
3. Chapter Three: Karma Yoga i.e. one must engage in activity where actions can bind one to the world or liberate. Perform for the pleasure of god's will without selfish motives and attain transcendental knowledge.
4. Chapter Four: Transcendental knowledge, spiritual knowledge of the soul, of god and their relationship. Krsna explains history of Gita, purpose and significance of his periodic descents to the material world and the necessity of approaching a guru.
5. Chapter Five: Action performed and their fruits to attain peace, detachments, forbearance, spiritual vision and bliss.
6. Chapter Six: Controlling of the mind and senses and focus on concentration on god (lord is in heart)& explains the meaning of 'samadhi' full consciousness of supreme.
7. Chapter Seven: Knowledge of Absolute god. Krsna is the supreme truth and advanced souls surrender unto him in devotion.
8. Chapter Eight : Attaining the supreme god and remembering krsna in devotion whole life n at time of death, one can attain to his supreme abode, beyond material world.(This is one chapter that is always spoken in most Hindu families during ritual rites when someone dies)
9. Chapter Nine: The most confidential knowledge of bhakti - praying to godhead krsna.By reviving one's pure devotion, one returns to krsna in spiritual realm.
10.Chapter Ten: All power, beauty, grandeur or sublimity, in material or spiritual world are manifestation of krsna.
11.Chapter Eleven: Krsna grants Arjun the vision and reveals his form as cosmic universe and explains his own humanlike form is the original form of godhead and one can perceive only by pure devotion.
12. Chapter Twelve: Bhakti yoga to attain luv of krsna and they develop divine qualities.
13. Chapter Thirteen: Difference bet. body, the soul and supersoul beyond them both attains liberation from material world.
14. Chapter Fourteen:Souls are under the control of three modes i.e.qualities of material nature - goodness, passion and ignorance. How these modes act upon is well explained here.
15. Chapter Fifteen: Detaching oneself from material world and understand godhead. One who understand krsna surrenders to him and become devotional.
16. Chapter Sixteen: Difference of Divine and Demoniac nature is explained here. How to gain spiritual perfection.
17. Chapter Seventeen: Three types of faith evolving from three modes of material nature. Acts performed by those who have faith in passion and ignorance yield only impermanent, material results whereas acts performed in goodness, lead to pure faith in krsna.
18. Chapter Eighteen: The concluding part which explains the meaning of renunciation and effects of the modes of nature on human consciousness and acitivity. Surrendering to god which frees one from sins, bring enlightenment and be eternal spiritual mode.

Krsna says in Gita,
"Aham sarvasya prabhavo, Mattah sarvam pravartate
Iti matva bhajante mam, Budha bhava samanvitah" meaning "I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in my devotional service and worship me with all their hearts"

So, if you have read Bible or Koran or any religious book, Bhagvad Gita is a choice 'Absolute'to read about the 'Absolute Godhead' After all, God is a mystery and nobody ever knows who the real person is otherwise I feel, there would be no wars and only peace on earth if Bhagvad Gita Mahima (krsna's sayings) is followed by humans. A sure Pick.

WHY I love this book? Because It saved my life. This book is so good (powerful) that it opened my eyes and made me a better person (and happier). I love this book because it changed my heart and that is the hardest thing to do. I was a radical atheist and now I am trying to develop my love for God. I have read Bhagavad-Gita As It Is several times and every time I was more and more becoming happy and blissful. In this book I finally found answers to most important questions in one's life. Who am I? Who is God? What is the meaning of human form of life? What is after death? etc. Finally after five years of studying Bahagavad Gita (and other books from Srila Prabhupada) and lots of discussion with Prabhupada followers I decided to do something in my life so I started to put in practice things that I have read. Now I am chanting every day and I am trying to so something for God (Krishna) and His devotees.

Srila Prabhupada - thank you very much.

His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a pure devotee of Krishna, gave the western world this eternally inspirational text. It contains his devotional ectasies and is a true guide to one who is very sincerely seeking spiritual truth. To read this book is to be guided personally by His Divine Grace into a higher state of consciousness - purely devoted to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.

Someone who has a pre-concieved philosophical fixation will probably not be able to enter into the sublimity of this transliteration due to a challenging spirit. The same holds true for anyone who is looking to blindly follow a religious mandate. Bhagavad-gita requires not only candid inquiry and thought to understand its deep message - it also requires a qualified teacher who is authorized in disciplic succession.

AC Bhaktivedanta Swami is such a qualified teacher as he is directly initiated into a disciplic lineage that began with Sri Krishna Himself who spoke the Gita to Arjuna 5000 years ago.

Without the natural respect and submission that should accompany the reader when imbibing the words of such a great teacher one might feel dissapointed by his commentaries.

This book is not for anyone who desires to use 'spirituality' and spiritual understanding as a means to aggrandize themself. In the hands of Bhaktivedanta Swami, Bhagavad-gita's message of unalloyed devotion remains intact and accessable to the sincere at heart.

I found it interesting that most of the reviews for Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad Gita As It Is are weighted to either extreme. This holds true with the text wherin (Chapter Sixteen) the divine and demoniac qualities of man are explained:

Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance-these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Prtha.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

In this verse, the royal road to hell is described. The demoniac want to make a show of religion and advancement in spiritual science, although they do not follow the principles. They are always arrogant or proud in possessing some type of education or so much wealth. They desire to be worshiped by others, and demand respectability, although they do not command respect. Over trifles they become very angry and speak harshly, not gently. They do not know what should be done and what should not be done. They do everything whimsically, according to their own desire, and they do not recognize any authority. These demoniac qualities are taken on by them from the beginning of their bodies in the wombs of their mothers, and as they grow they manifest all these inauspicious qualities.

One might argue that His Divine Grace is being harsh himself by writing such a purport. I understand this to be a conteptuous misconception stemming from an ideology which is not able to distinguish between the love offered by a genuine well wisher and the personally motivated criticism one generally can experience in materially competitive life. The kitten feels safe in the teeth of the mother cat whereas the rat feels the jaws of death.

This book invited me to take a good look at myself and what I desire. It opened the door to a higher plane of understanding centered not around my frustrated attempts to seek pleasure in this world; but instead it gave me the neccessary understanding to focus on the even more natural inclination to love purely - a propensity that can only be reposed with Krishna. This simultaneously reveals my actual identity as a loving servant of the Supreme Lord.

Find out who you are - read Bhagavad Gita As It Is today!

your servant,

Ekendra das

....and I've read alot of them.

Art and Science of Raja Yoga has everything from easy beginner routines, to more advanced postures. And this book doesn't make you feel like some couch potato just because you can't do advanced pretzel poses.

I also enjoyed the pranayama breathing exercises and meditation practices. I had never 'got' meditation until I began practicing some of the simple meditation techniques in this book.

You can also contact the publishers of the book for followup support with your practices- everything from retreats, to other books, and more. I've never, ever heard of anything like this. Check it out!

I was amazed at the beauty and simplicity of this text. It told me much of what I needed to know to start my journey on my Spiritual path. I felt that Swami Kriyananda's insights were clear and blended Christianity and Raja Yoga in a way that made sense to my Christian upbringing! Being rather skeptical by natural, I found the step-by-step process that Swami offers perfect for someone with a science/medical background (nursing) to gain the knowledge needed to open my heart and start on my true Path. There is even a page offering Student Support with a phone number and email address to contact someone with the questions that inevitably arise.

Each unit is broken down into 'do-able' pieces. One can read through the entire book then go back at anytime or take one chapter at a time and absorb as much as necessary. I especially like the sections on Breathing (Pranayama)- offering many different techniques that can be incorporated into daily life at any time! There is also Philosophy, Meditation, Diet, Postures and Routines for every section or unit.

I am not a Hatha Yoga expert but am very much the amateur! I do Hatha Yoga to open my heart, to stretch my sometimes rather stiff body, and also to prepare myself for meditation. I like the Affirmations offered by Swami for each posture (asana). They help me to go deeper into the postures, and to direct my energy into a calm and positive direction.

I appreciate being able to read a book and develop my own thoughts on that subject - not having someone's beliefs shoved down my throat. I feel that the approach taken in this book offers me just that, a way to read and decide what works and what does not work for me. I really believe that this course in the Art & Science of Raja Yoga is great for everyone, beginners and those already committed to their Spiritual Path alike!

Raja Yoga is far more than the merely physical, and very rigorous (huff puff!), exercise regimes that certain popular yoga schools teach. Raja Yoga is an ancient science that combines spiritual practices, philosophy, lifestyle, diet, and even the devotional practices that are taught in the great Indian scripture, The Bhagavad Gita.

This easy to read, and easy to study, book is divided into fourteen chapters. Each chapter has a section on: Philosophy, Yoga Postures, Breathing, Routine, Healing, Diet, and Meditation.

There is an extraordinary wealth of information in this valuable book. If you practice what is taught here, you'll be following the ancient science of Raja Yoga- in all it's richness and depth.

Many modern yoga teachers extract just one aspect out of Raja Yoga, such as the physical postures, and call it 'yoga'. This has caused much confusion in the public mind about just what is yoga. In addition, many Westerners, who are uncomfortable with anything smacking of 'religion', have removed much of the rich philosophy of Raja Yoga.

For instance, there is a great deal in the Bhagavad Gita (the greatest yoga scripture from India) that deals with devotional practices and meditation. Any book on Raja Yoga will include these practices. This book does just that.

If you want a merely physical approach to 'yoga', then you might find other pop-yoga teachers more attractive, though even the yoga postures taught in this book make it a worthwhile investment. If you want the Art and Science of Raja Yoga- as taught for millenia in India- then I would very highly recommend this book.

The author is a Westerner who has practiced Raja Yoga for over fifty years, and studied under a Master Yogi from India, Paramhansa Yogananda. As a Westerner, I found the manner of teaching to be highly effective. It's written in a way that communicates ancient practices in a Western style- without diluting or changing those practices.

I've practiced what is taught here, and the value I've received is truly priceless. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Yes, it's a 'monumental' work, but only from the perspective of someone that values the meaning of an Ayurvedic Science in terms of the accumulated information...
Unfortunately, it can not be helpful to people, who are not too familiar with Vedic philosophy and practice, in the contemporary Western world.
I've also asked many Ayurvedic practitioners, about their intelectual experience of this book. Similarly, many of us were disapointed, regardless of the country, ie. USA, Europe or even India.

There are many great books on this timless subject,just to mention few authors like: David Frawley, Vasant Lad, Robert Svoboda, Maya Tiwari and Atreya.

I found this book extremely helpful in both discovering my doshas, and using the information to improve my health. This book describes the traditional indian healing for harmony and health.

As a recent discoverer of Ayurveda, I have purchased and read a number of books on Ayurveda from many of the well known teachers and scholars of the topic. These have all been fine but generally very narrow in their focus. There are other publicatons I have chosen to leave on the shelf that appear to be folks just "jumping on the bandwagon".

Happily I have just purchased the "AYURVEDA ENCYCLOPEDIA" and could not be more pleased. I hesitate to say I am reading it although that is exactly what I am doing with it. Most will find it a marvelous reference tool. Others will find specific portions that address their needs.

It is difficult to explain the "flavor" of the book however it is clearly not a book that has been put together by a Madison Avenue driven mega-publisher. It felt far more like a labor of love than a commercial effort.

Anyone seeking a great reference tool, a teaching text, or overview of Eastern medicine would be well served by Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha's "Ayurveda Encyclopedia".

The topics covered include the history or Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Yoga, specific medical conditions, herbology and much more. It is sprinkled with Eastern Philosophy as well as art work.

As I begin my Ayurvedic education I am confident I will be pulling it from the bookshelf frequently.

It resulted from lectures about the topics and does not cover the topics deep enough. But although the other yogas from Vivekananda are quite interesting, I was somewhat disappointed with this one. This does not mean, that there would be no good statements in this book, but just not enough of them. Both, karma yogis and bhakti yogis would probaly prefer other books. One may still want to read it, to get a better understanding of Vivekanandas idea of the spiritual path.

Mountains of hatred can by crushed using this book as a tool. Strong characters can be built using this book as a tool. Explaination of the Karma Yoga is very good. The Ramayana and Mahabharat have been narrated well. But the best part in the book is the explaination of Bhakti and its application in real life. The book teaches you to love Everybody. This book will touch you and question you if you are a bhakt.

This work remains a clasic and offers within one pair of covers understanding of an effective and proven path to spiritual balance. I have known this work most of my life, as I am the third generation of my family in the United States aware and helped by knowing Vedanta. Rarely have vision, knowledge and clarity of voice been combined with such felicity as in this work, which I place above almost all other works on religion, faith, spirit and spiritual practice. After almost half a century of spiritual seeking, paractice in Christianity, Zen, Eastern faiths, and now my personal daily spirital unfolding of practice of loving kindness and service, I have come to see that the path described by the Swami in this work is one which we all share in fact, if not in name; service to all and to our loved ones IS the highest and easiest and hardest daily practice. I predict that this work will never go out of print, and I am glad that we retain the gift of this and other printed works to aid us all.

I was enormously impressed by this book. Its author strikes me as a responsible and highly intelligent person who has made an important discovery and wishes, for humanitarian reasons, to make it known to the world.

Kroon first became interested in urine therapy in India after sustaining a serious injury to his foot. When instead of healing, the foot gradually grew worse, someone suggested that he use urine compresses. Having nothing to lose he decided to give it a try - and it worked! He then set about researching the subject, both in India and the West, and 'The Golden Fountain - The Complete Guide to Urine Therapy' brings us the fruits of his research and his years of practical experience.

Although not a large book it's packed with an enormous amount of fascinating and valuable information, too much to even begin to adequately describe. After a brief Introduction, Kroon takes up the history of Urine therapy in both the West - where it was used to cure innumerable complaints in earlier centuries - and in the East.

Urine, we learn, has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties. Also, by strengthening the immune system and correcting the imbalance which underlies most disease, it can in many cases help to cure just about anything, and it has other valuable properties too.

A chapter on Applications is included which describes the various ways urine can be used, both internally and externally, to promote health, beauty, longevity, and even sexual potency! Detailed instructions are given on drinking, bathing, gargling, douching, eye and ear drops, sniffing, massage, compresses, rubbings, foot and hip baths, scalp and hair massages, and other applications.

Chapter 5 is devoted to the 'Medical and Scientific Aspects of Urine Therapy.' In it we learn that urine, far from being the nasty stuff most of us suppose, is a veritable natural pharmacy. It is a sterile liquid, filtered from the blood by our kidneys, and consists of energized structured water plus upwards of some 200 substances.

Among these substances are such things as amino acids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, B6,B12, ascorbic acid, etc.), hormones (gonadotropin, vasopressin, cortisone, testosterone, oestrogen, etc.) urea, allantoin, DHEA, H-11, HUD, Interleukin, prostaglandin, and so on.

Some of these are in fact being extracted from urine by today's pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, repackaged, and sold to us under various names - though without of course telling us where they came from. Chapter 5 concludes with a 60-item bibliography of the scientific literature.

The book then moves on to a section of personal testimonies from people around the world who have experienced the remarkable health-promoting powers of urine therapy. Their general attitude is pretty well summed up by one gentleman from India who wrote: "Urine therapy is the gift of God - a panacea - for human beings and animals" (page 80).

Kroon's is a remarkably rich and interesting book, contains much about the How's and Why's and Wherefore's that I haven't been able to touch on here, and it can be heartily recommended to all open-minded readers. The book is also extremely well written, has a useful general bibliography, and contains a number of interesting photographs, including one of the author.

His glowing complexion would be the envy of many, and you'd be hard put to find a more vibrant, healthy-looking and bright-eyed individual. One begins to feel that, if this is what urine therapy can do for one's health, well-being, and appearance - it might just be worth a try!

This book was given to my as a gag gift, but I actually took the time to read it and all I can say is "wow"!

I used this therapy to help break my heroin addiction, and now I use it to maintain a positive, healthy lifestyle. There have been no relapses, and cravings I've felt in the past just aren't there this time around. If you have any type of addiction, from food to sex, this is the book for you.

Modern science may be a wonderful thing but take it from me - nothing beats a nice cup of your own urine.

While "The Golden Fountain" is a wonderfully informative book on the incredible effects of Urine Therapy, I would direct interested readers to a book entitled "Your Own Perfect Medicine" by Martha M. Christy. The author provides not only many case histories but actual Research Evidence and Case Studies from Medical Practitioners the world over, including the U.S. There are also wonderful chapters on the adverse affects of Western Medicine (with valid scientific medical research)and the home use of Urine Therapy. If you're interested at all in finding out more about Urine Therapy, I highly recommend this book. The testimonial of the authors' medical recovery is worth the price of the book alone.