Yoga: Questions and Answers

by Swami Sivananda

The term Sadhan signifies any process of spiritual practice that leads the aspiring individual to an active realization of the Divine Being. Sadhana constitutes the sole means for the attainment of the highest value of lie, viz., Self-realization. The spiritual path is doubtless beset with various difficulties.

The walk on this path is like walking on the edge of a sharp razor. The aspirant will fall down several times but he will have to rise up quickly and walk again with more zeal, boldness and cheerfulness. Every stumbling block will become a stepping stone to success or ascent on the hill of Spiritual Knowledge. Every fall will give additional strength to rise up to a greater height in the ladder of Yoga.

Though, in the beginning, the spiritual path does appear to be very hard, thorny, precipitous and slippery, it becomes quite easy the moment the resolve and determination of the aspirant gather strength, firmness and force. He obtains a new interest and a new joy; his heart expands; his outlook is broadened; his vision is widened; and he feels the help and aiding power from the invisible Hands of the Divine Indweller of his spiritual heart. By themselves all doubts are cleared, answers are given from within; the shrill sweet voice of the Divine is heard; the thrill or Divine ecstasy is experienced.

Table of Contents:

1. Problems of Sadhana
2. States of Spiritual Experience
3. Problems of Self-Realization
4. Questions in Hatha Yogic Sadhana
5. Questions in Raja Yogic Sadhana
6. Questions in Bhakti Yoga Sadhana
7. Questions in Japa Yoga Sadhana
8. Questions in Vedantic Sadhana
9. Some Philosophical Problems
10. The Universe, Man, and God
11. Problems of Life
12. Art and Moral Life
13. The Eschatological Problems
14. The Social Problems
15. The Hindu, Karma and Religious Life
16. The Guru, Avatar and the Supramental Race
17. Problems of International Harmony
18. Sivananda Yoga-Prashnottari.

About the Author:

Sri Swami Sivananda , born on the 8th September, 1887, in the illustrious family of Sage Appayya Dikshita and several other renowned saints and savants, Sri swami Sivananda had a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta.

He was an inborn eagerness to serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind. He is the author of over 300 volumes and has disciples all over the world, belonging to all nationalities, religions and creeds. To read his works is to drink at the Fountain of Wisdom Supreme. On 14th July, 163 he entered Mahasamadhi.