Autobiography of Swami Sivananda

by Swami Sivananda

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Paperback: 176 + xlvi pages
ISBN: 81-7052-029-0
Book Dimensions: 7.0 x 5.0 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 190 grams

Table of Contents

Publishers’ Note	v
Sivanandastuti	vi
Siva’s Experience	vii
Siva’s Message	viii
How God Came Into My Life	ix
What Life Has Taught Me	xiii
Introduction	xx
Preface	xxxii
Chapter One I AM BORN
The Blessed Advent-Sri Dikshitar	3
A Giant Among Geniuses	4
Great Spiritual Luminary	5
My Birth-Place	6
The Budding Phase	7
Trials in Life	10
First Lessons in Service to Humanity	14
Chapter Two THE CALL OF THE IMMORTAL
Dawn of a New Vision	17
As a Wandering Mendicant	18
How to Benefit by Pilgrimage	19
Necessity of a Guru	19
The Journey’s End	21
Chapter Three ON THE ANVIL–SHARING THE TREASURE DIVINE
Vagaries of Spiritual Ambitions	23
How I Synthesised My Sadhana	24
Life at Swargashram	25
Out on Divine Ministration	27
Call of Mount Kailas	29
Mass Dissemination of Spiritual Knowledge	30
Spiritual Conferences	32
Lecture Tours	32
Unfailing Inspiration	34
Dynamic Transformation of the Masses	35
Types of Different Kirtans	36
Chapter Four THE DIVINE MISSION
First Stage: How Students Are Trained	37
Reserve and Humility	38
Guiding the Steps of Neophytes	39
Second Stage: Planting of the Acorn Sapling	40
Talents Find Their Best Uses	42
Third Stage: Birth of a Great Institution	43
A Centre of Dynamic Spiritual Regeneration	44
Fourth Stage: Collective Sadhana	46
Prayer and Study Classes	46
Attention to Visitors	48
Chapter Five MY RELIGION, ITS TECHNIQUE AND DISSEMINATION
The Divine Life Movement	50
The Need of the Hour	51
Universal Ideals for Spiritual Perfection	52
The Critical Juncture	53
Rapid Growth of the Mission	54
Basic Approach	55
No Secret Doctrines	56
What Is True Religion	56
Gospel of Divine Life	58
Practical Aspect	58
Role of Divine Life Branches and Spiritual Aspirants	59
Oneness of Humanity	60
The Clarion Call of Divine Life	61
(1) Importance of Collective Sadhana	62
(2) How to Start a Branch of The Divine Life Society	62
(3) Spiritual Current Must Be Kept Alive	65
(4) Service Is Greater Than Meditation	66
(5) Integral Yoga	67
(6) All-round Application to the Task	68
Chapter Six SIVANANDA ASHRAM
Problems of Spiritual Organisations	71
The Ashram Grew by Itself	71
Where Everyone Is Welcome	73
Perfect Freedom	73
Miracle of Miracles	74
How Aspirants Should Be Cared For	76
Helpfulness and Love Towards All	77
Individual Attention and Consideration	78
Encouragement and Advice	79
Spirit of Accommodation	81
Who Can Start Ashrams	82
Ideals Must Not Be Forgotten	84
Chapter Seven LIGHT ON THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
The Glory of Renunciation	86
Youth Is the Best Period for Renunciation	87
No Rigid Conditions Are Attached	88
Who Are Fit to Be My Disciples	89
Purify the Inner Nature	90
Attitude Towards Women	91
Should Women Renounce the World	92
Service to Women	94
To Those Who Wish to Take Sannyasa	95
Combine Service and Meditation	97
Financial Independence	98
Importance of Service	99
Sannyasins and Politics	99
Is Guru Indispensable	100
Initiation Transforms the Mind	101
First Deserve, Then Desire	102
Chapter Eight JNANA YAJNA
Profound Experiences Blossom As Countless Publications	104
Why There Are Repetitions in My Books	105
Rapid Work Is My ideal	107
Attention to Details	108
No Attachment to Copyright	110
Attitude Towards Profit Motive	112
Chapter Nine THE IDEAL OF LIFE
The Philosophy of Life	114
Integral Development	115
My Creed	116
Secret of Energy and Dynamic Work	117
Healing Through Prayers	117
Chapter Ten MY METHODOLOGY OF THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS
1. Detached, Yet Careful	119
2. Sadhana Till the End of Life	119
3. Why So Many Photographs	120
4. Self-reliance	122
5. A Purpose Behind Everything	123
6. Simple Living and Generosity	124
7. Not a Slave of Fashion and Style	125
8. Evolution for Everybody	125
9. Personal Attention and Liberal Disposition	126
10. No Compulsion But Full Liberty	128
11. The Way to Get Things Done	129
12. Message of Cheer	131
13. Attitude Towards Vilification	132
14. Rise Above Criticism	134
15. Constancy and Gratitude	135
16. You Cannot Get Away From Evil	136
17. My Attitude Towards Dissension Among Disciples	137
18. Raking Up the Issue Does Not Solve Problems	139
19. Way to Success	140
20. How to Convert the Nature of a Man	141
21. My View of Goondas	141
22. Destroy Abhimana (Egoism)	142
23. An Ideal Teacher	142
24. Come, Come, My Friends	143
Chapter Eleven PRACTICAL HINTS ON THE SPIRITUAL PATH
1. Training of Students Through Post	144
2. Way to Peace	145
3. Have Strong Thirst for Knowledge	145
4. Do Not Be Hasty in Leaving the World	147
5. Look Before You Leap	148
6. Snippets for Evolution	149
7. Unfold the Latent Divine	150
8. Regeneration of the Lower Nature	152
9. The Bane of Sensual Life	154
10. Sadhana Should Be a Daily Habit	154
11. Nishkama Seva	155
12. Troubles Through Pranayama	155
13. Overcome Depression and Gloom	156
14. When You Are Agitated	156
15. Avoid Extremes in Yoga	157
16. What Is Actual Yoga	157
Chapter Twelve SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES
1. Dawn of New Life	158
2. Preliminary Spiritual Experiences	158
3. I Have Won the Game of Life	160
4. In Him I Find My All	160
5. In the Ocean of Bliss	160
6. Immortal Self I Am	161
7. Speechless Zone	161
8. I Have Become That	162
9. The Great Bhuma Experience	162
10. Mysterious Experience	163
11. Sivoham-Sivoham-Sivoham	163
12. State of Samadhi	164
13. Through the Grace of Guru	165
14. I Am That I Am	165
Chapter Thirteen WISDOM IN HUMOUR
1. Training of Students in Lecturing	167
2. The Way of Business People	167
3. Regarding A Strong Packing Case With Thick Nails	168
4. When Important Points Are Omitted by Publishers	168
5. Care About Manuscripts	168
6. On Attractive Advertisement	169
7. Philosophy Over the Call of Coffee	169
8. Method of Sending Reminders	169
9. Correcting the Ways of Students	169
10. Invitation for Formality	170
11. Over the Damaged Parcel of Cashew-Nuts	170
12. Rich Despite Debts	170
13. Ideal Tonic for Brain-workers	170
14. My Respectable Guests	170
15. An Attack on Weakness in ‘Walking’	171
16. Ways of Virakta Mahatmas	171
17. Philosophy Over Snuff	171
GLOSSARY	172

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Publishers’ Note

A saint’s life is the ideal for all to emulate, a pattern for everyone who would make his own life sublime. It is an open book from which to learn the lessons of divine life. However much one tries to gain knowledge of spiritual truths from scriptures and texts, it is not until one actually sees someone in whom those truths shine exemplified that one is ready, willing and eager to realise those truths in actual daily life.

That is the purpose that this inspiring book serves.

THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY

 

Buy this book | Online Bookstore | Go Back| Free Preview:PDF ;HTML