Whispers from Eternity

Rating:
Summary: A Prayer Book Unlike Any Other
Review: I have a depressive disorder. I am have also been involved with substance abuse (Valium) and occasional alcohol abuse. Brother Bhaktananda initiated me into kriya yoga in 1983 and was a disciple of Yogananda's while the latter was still living. Once I was drunk and I called Brother Bhaktananda last year. I was just through! I was drunk and crying. I asked for advice. Bhaktananda told me to use chants. One was "Scientific Healing Affirmations". The other was "Whispers from Eternity". Just to read a little bit from each book. I asked him if I could still reach enlightenment in this life. He said yes. But I was just going through a rough time and many lessons. He is usually so sullen. But now he was so kind. I told him I loved him. He said he loved me. This book is beautiful. But very esoteric. Like flowers. At first, it just looks like a book of poetry. So it is very subtle. And, sometimes, this can work the best. It can get beyond the head and into the heart for real healing. The pictures in this book themselves are real healing. They touch your heart. As do the wonderful prayers. Sometimes you just have to relax, I feel, and let go. This book is not a must read. It's simply "must" medicine for your soul. I talked to Brother Bhaktananda a week later when I was sober. I still told him I loved him. He said, "And we all love you. We are praying for you, Bill."

Rating:
Summary: A MAGIC BOOK!
Review: I have a depressive disorder. I am have also been involved with substance abuse (Valium) and occasional alcohol abuse. Brother Bhaktananda initiated me into kriya yoga in 1983 and was a disciple of Yogananda's while the latter was still living. Once I was drunk and I called Brother Bhaktananda last year. I was just through! I was drunk and crying. I asked for advice. Bhaktananda told me to use chants. One was "Scientific Healing Affirmations". The other was "Whispers from Eternity". Just to read a little bit from each book. I asked him if I could still reach enlightenment in this life. He said yes. But I was just going through a rough time and many lessons. He is usually so sullen. But now he was so kind. I told him I loved him. He said he loved me. This book is beautiful. But very esoteric. Like flowers. At first, it just looks like a book of poetry. So it is very subtle. And, sometimes, this can work the best. It can get beyond the head and into the heart for real healing. The pictures in this book themselves are real healing. They touch your heart. As do the wonderful prayers. Sometimes you just have to relax, I feel, and let go. This book is not a must read. It's simply "must" medicine for your soul. I talked to Brother Bhaktananda a week later when I was sober. I still told him I loved him. He said, "And we all love you. We are praying for you, Bill."

Rating:
Summary: How a master prays from the heart
Review: Note that there are two editions of Yogananda's Whispers from Eternity in print from Self-Realization Fellowship. As of this writing, Amazon stocks only the red hardback (no dust jacket) "First Version" from 1929 ( ISBN 0876121024 ), but given a date of 1998 in the Amazon listing. Yogananda revised and enlarged his original 1929 volume in 1939, and this second version has been released in several editions (9th in 1986) by Self-Realization Fellowship (ISBN 0876121032), attractively illustrated with monochrome and color inspirational photographs. The second version (those words do not appear prominently in it or on it) is gorgeous, but you may have to acquire it directly from the publisher, and it does omit some remarkable, highly spontaneous works contained in the First Version.

The publisher explains that the reprinting of the First Version since 1981 (with the later date: 1998 in Amazon's listing: ISBN 0876121024 ), was released because sentiment for the earlier version persisted among some of his most devoted followers. "This volume is a photographic reproduction of the (1929) work with omission only of four readings used in Self-Realization Fellowship ceremonies..." Although the modernized later version makes a better gift to a newcomer to Yogananda, long-time students will really appreciate the intimate feel of many of the early wordings. In particular, the First Version includes his "Prayer at Dawn", "Prayer at Noon" ( in the wordings you can still hear in recordings of the yoga master's own voice), "Prayer-Demand Before Taking Food", etc.

The First Version's introduction also has an interesting explanation of why Yogananda's title (Paramahansa) sometimes appeared as Paramhansa in early work (a function of Bengali pronunciation's tendency to drop the middle 'a' sound) and why the full word param-ahansa (supreme swan) is the clearer communication of the Sanskrit title.

In either version, the prayers, loving demands, chants, and poems are touching reflections of the great master's intimate connection with the Divine -- his Mother-Father-Friend-Beloved, as he would humbly address Spirit. No cold, carefully reasoned theology here -- just pure and simple love.

Rating:
Summary: How a master prays from the heart
Review: Note that there are two editions of Yogananda's Whispers from Eternity in print from Self-Realization Fellowship. As of this writing, Amazon stocks only the red hardback (no dust jacket) "First Version" from 1929 ( ISBN 0876121024 ), but given a date of 1998 in the Amazon listing. Yogananda revised and enlarged his original 1929 volume in 1939, and this second version has been released in several editions (9th in 1986) by Self-Realization Fellowship (ISBN 0876121032), attractively illustrated with monochrome and color inspirational photographs. The second version (those words do not appear prominently in it or on it) is gorgeous, but you may have to acquire it directly from the publisher, and it does omit some remarkable, highly spontaneous works contained in the First Version.

The publisher explains that the reprinting of the First Version since 1981 (with the later date: 1998 in Amazon's listing: ISBN 0876121024 ), was released because sentiment for the earlier version persisted among some of his most devoted followers. "This volume is a photographic reproduction of the (1929) work with omission only of four readings used in Self-Realization Fellowship ceremonies..." Although the modernized later version makes a better gift to a newcomer to Yogananda, long-time students will really appreciate the intimate feel of many of the early wordings. In particular, the First Version includes his "Prayer at Dawn", "Prayer at Noon" ( in the wordings you can still hear in recordings of the yoga master's own voice), "Prayer-Demand Before Taking Food", etc.

The First Version's introduction also has an interesting explanation of why Yogananda's title (Paramahansa) sometimes appeared as Paramhansa in early work (a function of Bengali pronunciation's tendency to drop the middle 'a' sound) and why the full word param-ahansa (supreme swan) is the clearer communication of the Sanskrit title.

In either version, the prayers, loving demands, chants, and poems are touching reflections of the great master's intimate connection with the Divine -- his Mother-Father-Friend-Beloved, as he would humbly address Spirit. No cold, carefully reasoned theology here -- just pure and simple love.

Rating:
Summary: A Prayer Book Unlike Any Other
Review: This a book of answered prayers that expounds the very mysteries of how a pray becomes successful. Anyone who has been captured by Autobiography of Yogi must make this part of their library.

Rating:
Summary: A PRAYER GUIDE FOR ALL FAITHS !
Review: WHISPERS FROM ETERNITY is a prayer guide and inspiration for the followers of all religions.

As the author invites us with his dedication: "Unto All the soul temples of Christians, Moslems, Buddhists, Hebrews, Hindus, and others. Wherein the Cosmic Heart is throbbing equally always............. And unto All the multi-colored lamps of various true teachings, In which shines the same one white flame of God...... And unto All churches, mosques, viharas, tabernacles, and temples of the world---Wherein our own One Father dwells impartially in the fullness of His glory"...

There are many excellent, deeply moving and awakening prayers for almost every need and occaision. A section of childrens prayers is very useful also. The author has spiritalized these prayers and one should concentrate upon each one until they become as personal as a spontaneous expression from the heart, and he encourages the use of ones own spontaneous prayer as well.

Also available from the same publisher is the original "First Version" of this book with a front section - instructions on how to pray.

"O Lord of Compassion teach me to shed tears of love for all beings, May I behold them as my very own--different expressions of my Self." --------Paramahansa Yogananda.......

The author's life was an outstanding demonstration of the power of prayer and meditation, and teaches us how, with the contact of the God within all, prayer becomes a most effective tool for the enhancement and fulfillment of our lives. And the channel of great blessings to those we love.

Also look for:.......Autobiography of a Yogi.............the Divine Romance.......Man's Eternal Quest.......In The Sanctuary of the Soul......Enter the Quiet Heart......How You Can Talk With God.......Journey to Self-Realization.......Finding the Joy Within You........