Testimonial by His Holiness Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami

 

It is heartening and refreshing to note that Swami Ramakrishnananda is not shy to relate yoga to Hinduism. "Yoga is a system totally dedicated to bringing Hinduism to the realm of practice, thus, existentially fulfilling the integral transformation to which it refers... It is not possible to accept the spiritual aspect, while denying the religious roots of yoga, which eventually form part of Hinduism, the Vedic religion. Yoga is nothing less than one of the six darshanas, the principal orthodox schools."

 

One among many fine themes Swami Ramakrishnananda develops in this work is the relevance yoga brings to bear on contemporary concerns such as global warming. He skillfully depicts how, from the perspective of yoga, we are a part of the greater whole. "The meaning of the term yoga is 'union'; however, it should be understood to imply a certain harmony or cohesion within a holistic vision of man, the world, the universe, and life."

 

Yoga being so vast and deep, it is quite a challenge to encompass it all within a few words. We feel Swami Ramakrishnananda has succeeded with this superb statement: "... any conscious intention to shift from the animal toward the Divine, from the beast toward the transcendental in you, is yoga...."

 

‘Yoga: Union with Reality' is a remarkable book, effective in clarifying many misconceptions about yoga, in delineating its broadness of perspective, and in sharing the precious insights of one who has practiced yoga in its fullness.

 

 

His Holiness Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami

163rd preceptor of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's

Kailasa Parampara