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Ask Asha: Heartfelt Answers to Everyday Dilemmas on the Spiritual Path
“Dear Asha, why is this happening to me?”
Sorrow and stress are universal, but difficult situations can also be opportunities―life trying to guide us toward greater happiness―if only we had the wisdom to follow it. To find the hidden blessings within the various situations in life, you need faith, trust . . . and sometimes, a wise friend to talk to.
To many spiritual seekers, that person is Asha―who through her counseling and lectures has helped thousands worldwide gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the spiritual path.
Based on letters to questing souls, this book showcases the clarity, compassion, and inspiration of Asha Praver―a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and a meditation teacher for over 40 years. Her responses will astound you with their universality. How to help others . . . How to see life as fair . . . How to be true to yourself.
Here is an example of the practical wisdom in the pages of Ask
• “Every apple seed contains within it the potential to become a fruit-bearing tree. It doesn't happen all at once though. It may be tiresome for the seed first to be a sprout, then a twig, then a sapling―but it is the fastest, in fact the only way to become an apple tree.
• “So it is with the soul. Self-realization is our divine destiny, but we can't get there in one leap. Perhaps your repeated failure is not caused by lack of will power but from lack of patience―trying to reach the goal without first walking the path.
• “If you reach too far beyond your actual realization, inevitably you will collapse back―perhaps to a place lower than where you started, if you define yourself now by your failure. You may think you are compromising your ideals to aim lower, but in fact that may be the surest route to success.
• “Spiritual progress is both a science and an art. The science is comprised of the divine laws of the universe; the art is to know which to apply and when.”
Sorrow and stress are universal, but difficult situations can also be opportunities―life trying to guide us toward greater happiness―if only we had the wisdom to follow it. To find the hidden blessings within the various situations in life, you need faith, trust . . . and sometimes, a wise friend to talk to.
To many spiritual seekers, that person is Asha―who through her counseling and lectures has helped thousands worldwide gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the spiritual path.
Based on letters to questing souls, this book showcases the clarity, compassion, and inspiration of Asha Praver―a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and a meditation teacher for over 40 years. Her responses will astound you with their universality. How to help others . . . How to see life as fair . . . How to be true to yourself.
Here is an example of the practical wisdom in the pages of Ask
• “Every apple seed contains within it the potential to become a fruit-bearing tree. It doesn't happen all at once though. It may be tiresome for the seed first to be a sprout, then a twig, then a sapling―but it is the fastest, in fact the only way to become an apple tree.
• “So it is with the soul. Self-realization is our divine destiny, but we can't get there in one leap. Perhaps your repeated failure is not caused by lack of will power but from lack of patience―trying to reach the goal without first walking the path.
• “If you reach too far beyond your actual realization, inevitably you will collapse back―perhaps to a place lower than where you started, if you define yourself now by your failure. You may think you are compromising your ideals to aim lower, but in fact that may be the surest route to success.
• “Spiritual progress is both a science and an art. The science is comprised of the divine laws of the universe; the art is to know which to apply and when.”
216 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Asha Praver
20 books9 followersSee also Asha Nayaswami
Since meeting Swami Kriyananda in 1969, Asha has devoted her life to practicing Kriya Yoga and sharing the teachings of Self-realization with all. She is a founding member of two Ananda communities — the Village near Nevada City, California, and the community in Palo Alto, where she presently lives and serves as a spiritual director. She travels the world as a “global ambassador” for Ananda. Her Youtube channel, Inner Life with Asha, has over 800 videos. www.ashajoy.org
Since meeting Swami Kriyananda in 1969, Asha has devoted her life to practicing Kriya Yoga and sharing the teachings of Self-realization with all. She is a founding member of two Ananda communities — the Village near Nevada City, California, and the community in Palo Alto, where she presently lives and serves as a spiritual director. She travels the world as a “global ambassador” for Ananda. Her Youtube channel, Inner Life with Asha, has over 800 videos. www.ashajoy.org
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 21, 2023
We’ve had the pleasure of meeting Asha and we’ve listened to her podcasts multiple times through. She is so wise, insightful and radiates joy. Reading this book was extremely helpful to me and I could hear her sweet voice explaining the answer to each question throughout the book and the sincerity in her words. Being able to read one or two chapters at a time and really taking the time to meditate on it was wonderful. She answered a lot of questions I had so I’ll keep it handy for when I need reminders! Highly recommend this book!
December 20, 2014
A spiritual life isn't only for the elite, saintly few, or for monastics cloistered away from the rest of the world. We all wrestle with the question of how to live a good, dharmic life, no matter where we are. And we can all find ways to support our spiritual lives even in the midst of our jobs, family responsibilities, and all the trials and tribulations of modern life. Indeed, every situation in life is given to us precisely for our spiritual growth. Asha Praver has spent 40 years as a spiritual counselor and a disciple of the great saint Paramhansa Yogananda, and is adept at turning every worldly problem towards a spiritual solution. This book is compiled from actual questions from people like you and me, along with Asha's wise and caring answers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews