The Golden Present: Daily Inspriational Readings

by Satchidananda

These daily inspirational readings contain Swami Satchidananda's teachings on the spiritual life—how to serve others and realize peace, truth, and union with the divine. Culled from twenty-five years of lectures to spiritual seekers in the West and the East, these readings are expressed with the simplicity and authority of one who speaks from his own experience. What is purity of heart? It’s a heart full of tranquility and peace. Having a steady mind, a balanced mind, is what you call purity of heart. You must be well balanced between the dualities: the ups and downs, the pleasure and pain, the profit and loss. If the mind is free from turbulence, then the seer can see its own nature. If your heart is pure and steady, you can see God reflected in that steady heart.

Genres: Self Help, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Inspirational

440 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 1987

About the author

H. H. Sri Swami Satchidananda (Sri Gurudev) born C. K. Ramaswamy Gounderis respected worldwide as one of the major pioneers of the interfaith movement and as one of the most respected Yoga Masters of our time. Sri Gurudev's teachings and spirit guide us toward a life of peace and to religious harmony among all people. Invited to come to the West in 1966, Sri Gurudev was quickly embraced by young Americans looking for lasting peace during the turbulent 1960's. In 1969, he opened the Woodstock Festival. The peaceful atmosphere that prevailed throughout the event was often attributed to his message and blessings.

Sri Gurudev founded and is the guiding light for Integral Yoga® International. Integral Yoga, as taught by Sri Gurudev, combines various methods of Yoga, including Hatha Yoga, selfless service, meditation, prayer, and a 5,000-year-old philosophy that helps one find the peace and joy within. Integral Yoga is the foundation for Dr. Dean Ornish's landmark work in reversing heart disease and Dr. Michael Lerner's noted Commonweal Cancer Help program. Today more than 50 Integral Yoga Institutes and Integral Yoga Teaching Centers throughout the United States and abroad offer classes and training programs in all aspects of Integral Yoga.

In 1979, Sri Gurudev was inspired to establish Satchidananda Ashram—Yogaville®. Based on his teachings, it is a place where people of different faiths and backgrounds can come to realize their essential oneness. Yogaville is the home of The Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). This unique interfaith Shrine honors the Spirit that unites all the world religions, while celebrating their diversity. People from all over the world come there to meditate and pray.

For more than fifty years, Sri Gurudev sponsored interfaith worship services and conferences. His teachings advocate respecting and honoring all faiths and he was invited to share his message of peace with many world leaders and dignitaries. Over the years, Sri Gurudev received many honors for his public service. Among recent awards: the 1994 Juliet Hollister Interfaith Award presented at the United Nations and in April 2002 the prestigious U Thant Peace Award. In addition, he served on the advisory boards of many world peace and interfaith organizations.

Sri Gurudev is the author of many books, including Integral Yoga Hatha, To Know Your Self, The Living Gita, and The Golden Present. He is the subject of three biographies, Apostle of Peace, Portrait of a Modern Sage, and Boundless Giving.

In August 2002, Sri Gurudev entered Mahasamadhi (a God-realized soul's conscious final exit from the body). Chidambaram, his Mahasamadhi shrine in Yogaville is open for prayer and meditation.

“Swami Satchidananda enriched the lives of  countless others and his efforts made a positive difference to our world and our future.”
—President and Mrs. William Jefferson Clinton

“I have met some truly great men in my life, but none greater than Swami Satchidananda, for his life is dedicated to service and the cause of peace--both individual and universal--and to fostering religious harmony among all people.”
—Dean Ornish, MD

“Swami Satchidananda has been and continues to be our great teacher and God’s special messenger.”
—The Very Rev. James Parks Morton

“I consider Swami Satchidananda one of the greatest spiritual teachers of our time.”
—Richard Gere

“There are teachers who guide their students to mystical experience.  There are others, too, who inspire their students to loving service.  What I admire in Swami Satchidananda is the consistency with which he bonds these two together.”
—Br. David Steindl-Rast, OSB.

Reviews

[David Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Swami is the gentleman who led some half a million American youth in chanting OM, when he delivered the official opening remarks at the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Festival and he became known as “the Woodstock Guru.”

This was one of my nine daily reading books in 2015. I thought the quotes were well selected (although no sources were provided). (I like sources.)

While I am not of the Hindu or Vedic tradition, I found the book inspiring and some of the material quite pithy. For example, "Wise people don’t speak much. Just a few words here and there is enough. They don’t need to say more than that. People learn just by seeing them and by sitting in their presence."

So I suppose, with that, I should end this review?

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully refreshing way to start the day!

[G.C. Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found this book to be very comforting and thought-provoking. There are a lot of common sense readings, to help me feel centered and more relaxed about living.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cheated and read ahead because I found this book to be truly inspiring and beautifully written.I will use it as a permanent spiritual guidebook.Highly recommended!

[Karen Nicklin]

I will read and reread this daily inspiration. It is not a book to read and move on. It must be savored day by day. It is required in the search for peace.

[Addison Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to tear apart this book and throw it away--something I've NEVER done to a book before. Awful, awful book!

[Luigino Bottega · Rating 5 out of 5]

The metaphor of the climb to the top of the mountain helps us decipher our path in life.
We need to imagine a mountain, at its peak our goal: the flag of awareness, virtually conquered by a “SELF” capable of perceiving reality more clearly.
It’s a mountain whence the goal is potentially imaginable but not concretely reachable because, during our ascent, it tends to move further away, giving us more space to have experiences along the journey.
Inspiring book!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading every day since 2021