Sri Swami Satchidananda has brought to life the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita for the modern seeker. The Bhagavad Gita is the beautiful and famous lessons on life that Krishna gave Arjuna on the battle field. The Gita starts with the great war on the battle field Kurukshetra between two families, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Arjuna belonging to the Pandavas must fight to up hold righteousness against the evil Kauravas. But on seeing the Kauravas on the battlefield and realizing that he knows many of them as teacher, friend and kin, Arjuna finds that he cannot go in to battle. Krishna observing Arjunas inner conflict gives Arjuna lessons on the reality of life. Reading the story we see that the battlefield is not the Kurukshetra but our own body. The evil Kauravas our learned habits formed by ego and its manifestations. The Pandavas our pure qualities of love, non-violence, peace and truth. Arjuna is our inner being having conflict with our actions and expressions and Krishna the Lord every loving in his guidance.
The Bhagavad Gita is truely a great scripture with much truth contained with in its lessons. However as a modern society we often struggle to assimilate spiritual teachings in to our present expression of life. Some find it hard to relate to our present life and a lesson that happened thousands of years ago. Here is where Sri Swami Satchidananda has gifted us with a modern commentary on the Bhagavad Gita that relates to our modern mind and environment. To capture the beauty of this book is to express the teachings through action in our every day. life. I brought this book for my brother who showed an interest in my love of Vedic teachings. I brought him this commentary and read some of it before I sent it to him. I liked Sri Swami Satchidananda's commentary so much that I went and brought another copy for myself. Full of truth and so easy to relate too!

I have explored several versions of the Bhagavad Gita with commentaries, among them, that by William Q. Judge and the one provided by Paramahansa Yogananda. Previous to reading The Living Gita, I have been confused and haven't understood the ideas expressed. Sri Swami Satchidananda presents the text in easy-to-understand English, and offers concrete examples drawn from our everyday life to support his version and the commentaries he makes. The superficial story is of opposing armies on the battlefield, but the underlying meaning relates more to our everyday fight with our more selfish instincts, and how we can rise above our natural self-centered inclinations. I appreciate the insights that Swami Satchidananda gives us in our daily struggle to be better human beings.

This book is a gem... easy to use while doing the practise.. and a great reference for modifications to specific asanas.

Also, I found the comments provided for some poses to be especially helpfull - they are short and to the point.

A very important book for Yoga practitioners in general and for Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Pranayama practitioners in particular.Clearly explains Moola Bandha, it's anatomical and physiological aspects as well as neurological and endocrinological viewpoints.It relates the bandhas to the chackras,to Kumbhakas and asanas and describes the pranic effects.It also has a big practice section, which after all is the heart of the matter.A must have for serious practitioners, who will probably find themselves returning to the pages of this small book very often.

Surely one of Isherwoods finest works. This memoir tells of his time in Hollywood during World War II and of his meeting and subsiquent association with Swami Prabhavananada. Isherwood approaches the subject with candid reflection and in his usual minimal style takes the reader on a a spiritual quest for the truth behind god and the trail of the pacifists dilemma during a crippling war. Auden, Huxley and a host of others walk through the work. An absolute must for Isherwood fans. I cried at the end...one of the best books I've ever read.

One of the most intelligently written books on the subject. Here, Isherwood recounts the events that lead him to meet a man who was to seriously effect the way christopher approached life as a pacifistin a war torn world. A remarkable relationship between a very modern man and a direct desciple from the lineage of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. I think that this is one of the best books I have ever read. Christerpher Isherwood is economical with words and yet is evocative,candid and funny. Auden, Huxley and meany more characters of the time walk through this memoir. I cried at the end. Written by a master. If you are a cynic on the subject of swamis read this... it was written by one..

Read it and change your life, by changing the way you look at life, and at yourself...how your own actions and thoughts are the creator of your destiny. An amazing book that is all at once light-hearted and ferocious. A MILLION STARS!

This collection of printed talks is a phenomenal guide to being the person you truly want to be! Using the Bhagavad Gita as her springboard, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda has inspired me to cultivate virtues and qualities that bring me peace of mind and a lot of joy. The book has opened me to a whole new vista of life. I'm now onto her next book, Enthusiasm.

If you are beginning the practice of Siddha Yoga you may be curious about the English translations to the beautiful Sanskrit chants you have heard and repeated. While their power and importance can be derived and experienced without this information, you may be hungry to know the closest English meaning available. This book will provide that for you and more. ...

Congratulations - if you are ready to embrace the practice of Siddha Yoga, you are the latest spiritual superlotto winner.

Swami Muktananda says: "Do not be lazy in swadhyaya(chanting and reciting sacred texts) - do not neglect it! Revered Bapuji(Mahatma Ghandi) never failed to hold his prayer or swadhyaya regularly. The seers say that it should be held every day with the unfailing regularity of the sun and moon, at an appointed hour, with deep feeling and reverence. Swadhyaya embraces all aspects of yoga and grants all its rewards. It praises the Lord dwelling in the heart giving the peace of salvation by dispelling illness, giving robust health, and increasing knowledge, strength and fame. It leads one to the realization of the Self of all. My Guru, Bhagawan Nityananda says, "The heart is the hub of all sacred places. Go there and roam." The all-pervasive spirit abides within you; that is the goal of swadhyaya. As long as you do not have a direct personal experience of the Self, continue to have full faith in the veracity of the one who has experienced it, without doubting or questioning. One day, it will make itself felt within you of its own accord. Such is the power of swadhyaya." Featuring the 'Guru Gita', Vishnu Sahasranam, and Shiva Mahimna Stotram, as well as several other beautiful chants this book is indispensible. Truly, how can the beauty of the Guru be described?

Although this book is out of print, amzon could find me a copy.

Agehananda was an Austrian, who became a Hinud monk in India and a professor of philosophy after the second world war and who remained in India for ten or fifteen years. He's a very intellectual person who also spoke several indian languages, including Sanskrit. Contrary to the usual spiritual seeker, he tried to understand and criticaly analyze everything he encountered in in India or Hinduism. Naturally he made some enimies, but also friends.

The book is very valuable for giving one insider information from the monk's life, without any of the usual covering of not so good things. So one learns about the Ramakrishna order as well as about the sannyasi's life and about the Indian philosophical education. The information provided here is now forty to fifty years old, and some of it may be of rather historical value, but of value never the less.

This Austrian author's interest in Hinduism was ignited through some of his readings and that changed the course of his life..visiting India..learning Sanskrit..teaching Philosophy in a University and finally undertaking a 1500 mile journey by foot..seeking mantropadesa for conversion into Hinduism,getting rebuffed by several religious orders..and finally succeeding..it is a fascinating and authentic account of some unknown and important tenets of a way of life called Hinduism.

All those beginners who are interested but cannot comprehend Advaita Vedanta, would find this book very helpful.
Even after reading books like Viveka Chudamani-Crest Jewel of Discrimination by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, if the reader seeks further guidance, then he/she should go for Pancadasi.

"When the mind gradually leaves off the ideas of the meditator and the act of meditation and is merged in the sole object of meditation (the eternal Self), and is steady like the flame of a lamp in a breezeless spot; it is called the super conscious state. (samadhi)."

This book provides a wonderful insight into the universality of the Bhagavad Gita, which transcends all space and time and applies to the entire human race. Swami Rama was a very accomplished Yogi who has had the experience of the absolute truth, and the words used in the book are more than sufficient to confirm this. Along with explaining the verses from the Gita, he also gives an insight into the Himalayan Yoga tradition every now and then, and how it relates to the Gita.

I have come across many interpretations of the Gita by many 'masters', but Swami Rama's version is one of the most profound versions I've come across. One of the verses in the Gita clearly states that for a self-realized soul, the Vedic knowledge is only as important as a pot of water, when there's a huge reservoir of infinite knowledge available all around. And Swami Rama can certainly be considered to be one such soul, and the quality of his writings speaks for itself.

I would also recommend "The Path of Fire and Light" for actual Yogic techniques that result in spiritual transformation. Also, another book I'd recommend is "Choosing a Path", that gives a very objective and non-judgemental assessment on the different ways of approaching the Infinite Spirit, just like different rivers merging into one vast open ocean.

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the greatest spritual texts in the world, one which for thousands of years has been used to illuminate the hearts and minds of seekers everywhere. In this outstanding translation and commentary, Swami Rama makes accessible to the modern western mind the fundamental truths of the original scripture by placing them into a psychological context. Whether familiar with Vedic philosophy or not, anyone can benefit from the clarity and insight provided by this book.

This gem of a book has been a valuble help for understanding my Guru and how to appreciate the relationship more fully. When you don't understand the principles behind the Guru and disciple relationship, dealing with your Guru can be difficult. Understanding his words as love, his directions as the gentle proding of a parent, and his requirements as grace makes relating to him so much easier! This is what Swami Muktananda conveys in his book about the Perfect Relationship. Nothing can be more refreshing or complete than the relationship between a disciple and their Guru.

Swami Muktananda writes in a loving way about the qualities of a 'true' Guru, weeding out the 'false' ones as well as what is required to be a disciple that is pleasing to the Guru. He says that what the Guru teaches can be difficult at times but in the end it leads to supreme bliss.

The book is also filled with Swami's ever insightful stories that aid in complete understanding of the concepts he is sharing with the reader. This is a powerful work about a truly precious relationship.

This book shows us how to recognize a true Guru, and having found one, how to enhance that relationship. I have been meditating for many years, but until recently I did not see the need for a Guru. I had no concept of it. It seemed so illogical to me. But now that I do follow a Guru, I find that there is something very mysterious and magical about the relationship. Something very powerful. I find that, just as the book says, by surrendering to and serving the Guru, it allows his Shakti or spiritual energy to automatically come into me and work its miracles. Specifically, and most importantly, it brings my meditation to a much higher level. Meditation becomes effortless and much more productive. I am amazed by the power of this Guru-disciple principle. The author, Swami Muktananda, was a great yogic master who achieved spiritual liberation through his relationship with his Guru. I recommend this book to spiritual seekers who are aware of the importance of the Guru-disciple relationship, and want to enhance it in order to get the most out of it.

This book is a breath of fresh air in today's world of yoga and spirituality. It is unusual to read from a teacher who has not only gained intellectual understanding of a particular system, but has also experienced the reality of its practices.

The first chapter 'Fifteen Verses of Wisdom' went straight over my head, which shows I still lack understanding in this area. The chapter 'Talks on Practice' reveals the mechanics of meditation according to the system of Kashmir Shaivism. I found it clear and insightful. This was balanced by the chapter 'Talks on Discipline' which shows that Lakshmanjoo has the integrity to give clear guidelines to the spiritual aspirant on how one should conduct oneself on the spiritual path.

Finally in his last chapter 'The Secret Knowledge of Kundalini' Swami Lakshmanjoo gives real insight into the mechanics of the mysterious subject of kundalini. To date I have found other material on this subject to be rather nebulous and mere fantasy, based in the vivid imaginations of so called gurus and well read authors. Swami Lakshmanjoo takes this mysterious subject out of the category of fantasy and clearly defines how kundalini functions. His intimate description of the various modes of rising of kundalini clearly shows that he has experienced this himself.

This book is a revelation for the earnest seeker on the spiritual path.

It is the first book of kashmir philosophy which covers all the aspects of the title.It is the complete informative book about pre-history age of kashmir.