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Be Your Spirit: A Guide to Health and Happiness Based on the Yoga Sutras
Discover your spiritual path to serenity, health, and happiness. Be Your Spirit is a mind, body, spirit program designed to improve your health and happiness. The program is based upon Yoga, which is a branch of Hinduism, the world’s oldest religion. Yoga dates back to cave monasteries that existed in the Himalayas 5000 years ago. Today Yoga is generally known as a form of exercise involving physical poses and stretches. Ancient Yoga had little to do with these postures. The yogis of the Himalayan monasteries focused upon meditation as a means for achieving Self-realization, which is a state of being your Spirit. Be Your Spirit draws upon teachings from Hinduism, in particular the Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras was written in approximately 200 BCE by Pantanjali. The Yoga Sutras is a concise step by step guide to Self-realization. Be Your Spirit presents the teachings of the Yoga Sutras within a framework of Western psychology, neuropsychology, and physics. Be Your Spirit consists of practices directed at cultivating serenity, vitality, and spiritual awareness. The goal of these practices is to develop a greater connection to your Spirit for the purpose of increasing your health and happiness. In particular this book is designed to help those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and addiction. Be Your Spirit is a seven step program that consists of the following: Understanding the relationship between mind and Spirit… Increasing awareness of your Spirit… Increasing self-awareness through self-examination… Developing mental and emotional serenity… Learning how to live in harmony with others… Harnessing and cultivating your life force energy… Developing a meditative practice. Randy Niederman, Ph.D., M.S.W., has taught social work at the University of Georgia, Western New Mexico University, and Barry University (FL). His Ph.D. dissertation was a research study entitled, “The Conceptualization of a Model of Spirituality.” Dr. Niederman has worked in the capacity of a psychiatric social worker at a psychiatric crisis unit and hospital emergency rooms. He has practiced Eastern disciplines for most of his life. His mother was a Yoga teacher and he has been practicing Yoga since childhood. He has a second degree black belt in Aikido and has been a long time practitioner of Tai Chi, Filipino martial arts, and Kendo. He has also been affiliated with Zen groups in South Florida and New Mexico.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2016
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Randy Niederman
3 books1 followerRandy Niederman, Ph.D., M.S.W., has taught social work at the University of Georgia, Western New Mexico University, and Barry University (FL). His Ph.D. dissertation was a research study entitled, “The Conceptualization of a Model of Spirituality.” His Ph.D. is from the University of Georgia, and his Masters in Social Work is from Florida International University. Dr. Niederman has worked in the capacity of a psychiatric social worker at a psychiatric crisis unit and hospital emergency rooms.
He has practiced Eastern disciplines for most of his life. His mother was a Yoga teacher and he has been practicing Yoga since childhood. He has a second degree black belt in Aikido and has been a long time practitioner of Tai Chi, Filipino martial arts, and Kendo. He has also been affiliated with Zen groups in South Florida and New Mexico.
Dr. Niederman has an Associates in Arts in Radio Television Broadcast Technology from Miami Dade Community College. He spent his early adulthood working as an entertainment news camera operator, and asst. engineer/asst. promotions manger at an FM/AM radio station in Florida. He is also a certified massage therapist and has worked as a massage therapy instructor.
His parents moved from Long Island, NY to El Salvador, Central America when he was 11 years old. After two years at the American School in El Salvador he began attending boarding schools in the US. He completed 8th and 9th grade at Florida Air Academy in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He finished his last three years of high school at Orme School, a college prep, coed ranch boarding school isolated in the high desert of Arizona. Currently Dr.Niederman works as an emergency room psychiatric social worker in Athens, Georgia. He is a student at the East Georgia Kendo Club.
He has practiced Eastern disciplines for most of his life. His mother was a Yoga teacher and he has been practicing Yoga since childhood. He has a second degree black belt in Aikido and has been a long time practitioner of Tai Chi, Filipino martial arts, and Kendo. He has also been affiliated with Zen groups in South Florida and New Mexico.
Dr. Niederman has an Associates in Arts in Radio Television Broadcast Technology from Miami Dade Community College. He spent his early adulthood working as an entertainment news camera operator, and asst. engineer/asst. promotions manger at an FM/AM radio station in Florida. He is also a certified massage therapist and has worked as a massage therapy instructor.
His parents moved from Long Island, NY to El Salvador, Central America when he was 11 years old. After two years at the American School in El Salvador he began attending boarding schools in the US. He completed 8th and 9th grade at Florida Air Academy in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He finished his last three years of high school at Orme School, a college prep, coed ranch boarding school isolated in the high desert of Arizona. Currently Dr.Niederman works as an emergency room psychiatric social worker in Athens, Georgia. He is a student at the East Georgia Kendo Club.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 27, 2018
Author of Be Your Spirit: A Guide to Health and Happiness Based on the Yoga Sutras, Dr Randy Niederman emailed to ask if I would be interested to review his book last year. Being a spiritual seeker, I was intrigued in Yoga Sutras – what’s that? It has taken me a while to get organized and read the book, and I must say I love this book!
Formally educated with a Master’s degree in social work, Niederman uses his experiences in the Western world, combined with Eastern philosophies and teachings, to create this self-help guide. Though Niederman says this book is “designed to help those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and addiction”, it is a mind, body, spirit program which will support all of us in improving our health and happiness. It draws upon teachings from Hinduism, in particular the Yoga Sutras written in approximately 200 BCE by Pantanjali.
The seven-step program that consists of the following: Understanding the relationship between Mind and Spirit; Increasing awareness of your Spirit; Increasing self-awareness through self-examination; Developing mental and emotional serenity; Learning how to live in harmony with others; Harnessing and cultivating your life force energy; Developing a meditative practice.
Be Your Spirit opens with Niederman sharing his personal spiritual journey, and the simplicity in his voice moved me. He asks, and answers the point behind seeking self-realisation in his Preface. Although the book has six chapters, but it is not a book you want to read quickly, or in one seating. There is lots to unpack, and reflect on when it comes to what spirituality is, its connection with your self-realisation, as well as the role your false self is playing. Niederman addresses listening to your spirit through your intuition, including through the symbols which appears in our lives. He introduces spiritual ecstasy, and the dream awareness exercise, the trance dance exercise, as well as concept of spirit time. By the way, all that was just in chapter one (see what I mean about reading slowly?)!
As a sexologist, I am most intrigued with the ways happiness is linked to pleasure in chapter two. Having learned Tantra and meditation, I found some of the practices taught familiar like the Micro-Cosmic Orbit. With clear understanding, in-depth analysis, vivid explanations, Niederman makes Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutra come alive. His explanation is clear and concise and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book all seeking to understand more about spirituality, and begin practicing mediation.
Formally educated with a Master’s degree in social work, Niederman uses his experiences in the Western world, combined with Eastern philosophies and teachings, to create this self-help guide. Though Niederman says this book is “designed to help those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and addiction”, it is a mind, body, spirit program which will support all of us in improving our health and happiness. It draws upon teachings from Hinduism, in particular the Yoga Sutras written in approximately 200 BCE by Pantanjali.
The seven-step program that consists of the following: Understanding the relationship between Mind and Spirit; Increasing awareness of your Spirit; Increasing self-awareness through self-examination; Developing mental and emotional serenity; Learning how to live in harmony with others; Harnessing and cultivating your life force energy; Developing a meditative practice.
Be Your Spirit opens with Niederman sharing his personal spiritual journey, and the simplicity in his voice moved me. He asks, and answers the point behind seeking self-realisation in his Preface. Although the book has six chapters, but it is not a book you want to read quickly, or in one seating. There is lots to unpack, and reflect on when it comes to what spirituality is, its connection with your self-realisation, as well as the role your false self is playing. Niederman addresses listening to your spirit through your intuition, including through the symbols which appears in our lives. He introduces spiritual ecstasy, and the dream awareness exercise, the trance dance exercise, as well as concept of spirit time. By the way, all that was just in chapter one (see what I mean about reading slowly?)!
As a sexologist, I am most intrigued with the ways happiness is linked to pleasure in chapter two. Having learned Tantra and meditation, I found some of the practices taught familiar like the Micro-Cosmic Orbit. With clear understanding, in-depth analysis, vivid explanations, Niederman makes Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutra come alive. His explanation is clear and concise and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book all seeking to understand more about spirituality, and begin practicing mediation.
October 30, 2016
‘Self-realization involves shifting your sense of self-identity from your conscious mind to your Spirit.’
Author Randy Niederman earned his Ph.D. is from the University of Georgia, and his Masters in Social Work is from Florida International University. has taught social work at the University of Georgia, Western New Mexico University, and Barry University (FL). His Ph.D. dissertation was a research study entitled, “The Conceptualization of a Model of Spirituality.” His Ph.D. is from the University of Georgia, and his Masters in Social Work is from Florida International University. Randy has worked in the capacity of a psychiatric social worker at a psychiatric crisis unit and hospital emergency rooms. He has practiced Eastern disciplines for most of his life. His mother was a Yoga teacher and he has been practicing Yoga since childhood. He has a second degree black belt in Aikido and has been a long time practitioner of Tai Chi, Filipino martial arts, and Kendo. He has also been affiliated with Zen groups in South Florida and New Mexico.
In this remarkably sensitive book Randy offers his personal growth, as in the Preface where he states, ‘After completing a master’s degree in social work, my first job was at a county psychiatric hospital. My duties included assessing patients, managing their care, and discharge planning. I had many long sessions with people in crisis. The majority of my patients had suicidal thoughts or had made a suicide attempt. Part of my job involved asking the obvious question: “Why did you do it?”… At this point in my life I was an atheist. I agreed with Freud’s assertion that people created God in order to allay their fears of death and the unknown. Although I claimed to be an atheist, I was simultaneously fascinated by Eastern religion and philosophy. I attended Zen meditation groups, Siddha Yoga groups, and practiced Aikido. My interest in spirituality eventually was transformed by an experience colored by love and death. I had fallen in love with a woman, who shortly thereafter was diagnosed with brain cancer. In the days that followed her diagnosis, I was surprised to find myself having powerful spiritual visions. The visions were accompanied by an overwhelming emotion of joy, awe, and bittersweet sadness….I discovered the Yoga Sutras. As I read the Yoga Sutras, I realized that many of the (cognitive-behavioral) psychological techniques I used with patients could also be found in the Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras provides a concise step by step guide to Self-realization. A short definition of Self-realization is that it consists of fully integrating your Spirit into your life. The Yoga Sutras was written by Pantanjali in approximately 200 BCE.’
Once the text opens we find such moments as ‘Adopting a life style that minimizes the barriers to Self-realization provides you with clarity of mind, clarity of body, and a relationship with the world that is marked by harmony. Clarity of mind brings you self-understanding, serenity, and an increased ability to focus attention. Clarifying your body will improve your health, vitality, and mood. Living in harmony with the world will benefit your health, safety, and friendships.’ Randy divides his discussions and inspirations through chapters Meet Your Spirit, Know Your Ego-Self, Calm Your Mind, Live in harmony with the World, Open Your Energy Centers, and Meditation.
For each of us, especially in the chaotic whirl of the world today, the Yoga sutras as expressed, explained and taught by Randy feel like the answer to peace – a state we desperately need. Read and Grow – this is one of the finest books on spiritualism available.
Author Randy Niederman earned his Ph.D. is from the University of Georgia, and his Masters in Social Work is from Florida International University. has taught social work at the University of Georgia, Western New Mexico University, and Barry University (FL). His Ph.D. dissertation was a research study entitled, “The Conceptualization of a Model of Spirituality.” His Ph.D. is from the University of Georgia, and his Masters in Social Work is from Florida International University. Randy has worked in the capacity of a psychiatric social worker at a psychiatric crisis unit and hospital emergency rooms. He has practiced Eastern disciplines for most of his life. His mother was a Yoga teacher and he has been practicing Yoga since childhood. He has a second degree black belt in Aikido and has been a long time practitioner of Tai Chi, Filipino martial arts, and Kendo. He has also been affiliated with Zen groups in South Florida and New Mexico.
In this remarkably sensitive book Randy offers his personal growth, as in the Preface where he states, ‘After completing a master’s degree in social work, my first job was at a county psychiatric hospital. My duties included assessing patients, managing their care, and discharge planning. I had many long sessions with people in crisis. The majority of my patients had suicidal thoughts or had made a suicide attempt. Part of my job involved asking the obvious question: “Why did you do it?”… At this point in my life I was an atheist. I agreed with Freud’s assertion that people created God in order to allay their fears of death and the unknown. Although I claimed to be an atheist, I was simultaneously fascinated by Eastern religion and philosophy. I attended Zen meditation groups, Siddha Yoga groups, and practiced Aikido. My interest in spirituality eventually was transformed by an experience colored by love and death. I had fallen in love with a woman, who shortly thereafter was diagnosed with brain cancer. In the days that followed her diagnosis, I was surprised to find myself having powerful spiritual visions. The visions were accompanied by an overwhelming emotion of joy, awe, and bittersweet sadness….I discovered the Yoga Sutras. As I read the Yoga Sutras, I realized that many of the (cognitive-behavioral) psychological techniques I used with patients could also be found in the Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras provides a concise step by step guide to Self-realization. A short definition of Self-realization is that it consists of fully integrating your Spirit into your life. The Yoga Sutras was written by Pantanjali in approximately 200 BCE.’
Once the text opens we find such moments as ‘Adopting a life style that minimizes the barriers to Self-realization provides you with clarity of mind, clarity of body, and a relationship with the world that is marked by harmony. Clarity of mind brings you self-understanding, serenity, and an increased ability to focus attention. Clarifying your body will improve your health, vitality, and mood. Living in harmony with the world will benefit your health, safety, and friendships.’ Randy divides his discussions and inspirations through chapters Meet Your Spirit, Know Your Ego-Self, Calm Your Mind, Live in harmony with the World, Open Your Energy Centers, and Meditation.
For each of us, especially in the chaotic whirl of the world today, the Yoga sutras as expressed, explained and taught by Randy feel like the answer to peace – a state we desperately need. Read and Grow – this is one of the finest books on spiritualism available.
November 19, 2016
My only regret
My only regret is that this book is not in print. It's a book that I'd like to be able to refer to in the future and one that I'd like to give as a gift. Its accessible and clearly stated wisdom is invaluable. This was the best explanation of Spirit and the false self I've read--an extremely difficult concept for many to grasp. Additionally, the exercises bring the concepts to life. Very well-done! Thank you, Mr. Lieberman for your work, from a reader of many Buddhists texts!
Just discovered this book is in print! Hurray!
My only regret is that this book is not in print. It's a book that I'd like to be able to refer to in the future and one that I'd like to give as a gift. Its accessible and clearly stated wisdom is invaluable. This was the best explanation of Spirit and the false self I've read--an extremely difficult concept for many to grasp. Additionally, the exercises bring the concepts to life. Very well-done! Thank you, Mr. Lieberman for your work, from a reader of many Buddhists texts!
Just discovered this book is in print! Hurray!
October 17, 2016
Great words to live by, I will try to do so hereafter. My big disappointment, I should have been doing such years ago lol
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews