The Essence of Self-Realization: The Wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda

Filled with stories that Paramhansa Yogananda shared with his close disciples, this book is an insightful and engaging glimpse into the life and lessons of a great modern master of yoga.

Yogananda was one of the most significant spiritual teachers of the twentieth century. His Autobiography of a Yogi, published in 1946 and printed in more than 20 languages, has touched the hearts of millions and remains the bestselling spiritual autobiography of all time. Great teachers work through their students, and Yogananda was no exception. Kriyananda writes in the introduction to the present volume, "After I'd been with him a year and a half, he began urging me to write down the things he was saying during informal conversations." The Essence of Self-Realization, nearly 300 sayings rich with spiritual wisdom, is the fruit of that labor of love. A glance at the table of contents will convince the reader of the vast scope of this book. It offers as complete an explanation of life's true purpose, and of the way to achieve that purpose, as may be found anywhere.

From the Book

"Live in this world as a guest. This world is not your true home. The deed to the house you live in may be written in your name, but whose was it before you acquired it? And whose will it be after you die? It is only a wayside inn, a brief halt on the long journey to your home in God."

Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray that it come to you: that God's omnipresence is you omnipresence; and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing."