In The Light Of Wisdom: The Psychology, Philosophy And Practice of Yoga

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How rare it is to find a teacher of supreme truth whose knowledge is without equal, whose ability to teach is unparalleled and whose primary concern is to render the utmost benefit to the students seated before him. Such a one was Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj. Not only was he a master of yoga, Vedanta, the philosophy of both the East and West, he was also a saint and sage of great attainment. He was not someone who merely lectured from book knowledge; when he spoke, it was with a voce filled with the conviction manifested I a person who has realized the highest in his own vast and profound experience. Swamiji was able to explain the most philosophical concepts with clarity and insight. Once having heard him speak, the listener would have the feeling that everything that was needed had been provided.

The 34 lectures that make up this book were given to a small group of students who came to the Sivananda Ashram in 1970 to be instructed in the fundamentals of spiritual practice. Swamiji has masterfully presented the essence of the philosophy, psychology way that is especially helpful for the beginner on the path. To read his words is to be bathed in the light of wisdom.

"What people suffer from these days is a thorough misunderstanding of the essence of life. It is not that people don not want God, but they do not know what He is. That is their handicap. There is no man who cannot want God, but there are apparently people who do not want Him on account of not knowing what it means. When we say, "God dose not exist," or "I do not want God," we only betray our ignorance of what God is. What is essential for us is to chasten our thought, re-educate ourselves and try to be aware of the true sense of the term. Then life becomes a joy with an understanding of this attitude, we have to engage ourselves in a daily practice, because this re-thinking is not an easy task.

Foreword

Millions of prostrations at the feet of Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, the Mahapurusha of the past century. Countless prostrations at the feet of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj, one of the foremost direct disciples of Sat Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj

Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj joined Sivananda Ashram in 1944 and held the post of General Secretary of The Divine Life Society from the year 1960 until just before his mahasamadhi in 2001. he was an able administrator. His devotion to Gurudev was unparalleled. He write many books and gave numerous talks on different occasions right from his arrival at the Ashram.

This present book contains thirty-four talks given in the year 1970 to students participating in a special session of the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy. At the request of numerous Yoga Students, especially from the West, Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj agreed to give these talks in the form of lessons. The thirty-Four lessons began on January 14, 1970 and concluded on March 4, 1970. This book is a Yoga manual. It is a handbook of Yoga. It contains everything that a Yoga student needs to know. Swamiji explains that Yoga. In the simplest terms, is a steady movement of the individual soul towards the Supreme Soul. Yoga is a steady ascent to the Divine.

These lessons were recorded on cassettes and then transcribed by Sri Shankara (Rudy), a Yoga student from the Aslst Divine Life Society Branch (Belgium). He presented me with a bound copy, which was lying with me for nearly 35 years. Now and then I used to read it. Later on I loaned it to our revered Sri Swami Atmaswarupanandaji Maharaj. He showed it to an American visitor, Mr. Scott Morrow, an ardent devotee of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji for many years. Mr. Morrow felt that it was very useful, especially for beginners, and so took It back to the U.S.A. with him. There he carefully edited the manuscript and prepared it for publication by our Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy Press.

I am greatly indebted to Sri Sankara of the Aslst D. L. S. Branch, to Sri Scott Morrow and to the Press staff for bringing out this invaluable book for the benefit of seekers of Yoga from all over the world. It is my earnest hope and desire that these lessons will greatly help the readers by removing wrong conceptions of Yoga and saving as a useful guide.