Some of the best spiritual books to read are those which record conversations between the great modern-day Rishis (sages) of Advaita Vedanta and their disciples. These books make for a fascinating read, because the disciples sought answers to many of the perplexing questions of life, which tend to vex all our minds.
What makes these books especially valuable is that by asking these questions, the disciples succeeded in bringing down the consciousness of these gurus from dwelling in lofty spiritual planes and focused it on addressing queries that commonly arise in all aspirants hearts. The responses these sages gave are often light-hearted and full of humor, yet at the same time brimming with gravity and practicality.
Since these books record day-to-day conversations, they are extremely easy to read. In fact one can open any page and start reading without experiencing any loss of continuity. Many of these Q&A books are available for a free download.
However, if one wishes to own a paper copy, then it can be purchased from the respective Ashrams which have branches all over the world. I have provided the links to the Ashram e-stores as these books are not always available in regular online bookstores.
Paramahansa Yogananda
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Yogoda Satsang Society book store
One of the most popular and utterly delightful spiritual books in the world! This book by Paramahansa Yogananda is full of amazing teachings and exhilarating incidents which document how great God realized sages help and guide their disciples.
Q&A Books of Sri Ramakrishna & His Direct Disciples (Swami Vivekananda etc.)
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna by Mahendranath Gupta (also known as “M”)
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Advaita Ashrama e-store
Sri Ramakrishna was the divine guru of many illustrious disciples, including Swami Vivekananda. In this book his distinguished direct disciple, Mahendranath Gupta, notes down many everyday conversations that the illumined guru had with devotees who thronged to meet him at Dakshineswar. In these conversations, Sri Ramakrishna answers many profound questions of life using engaging stories that bring forth spiritual truths, arrived at via his own immense experiences in meditative Samadhi. These conversations originally took place in the Bengali language and this book is an English translation of them.
Talks With Swami Vivekananda by The Advaita Ashrama
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Advaita Ashrama e-store
After returning to India from his travels in the West, Swami Vivekananda established the monastery at Belur, where several people became his disciples. This book records the many frank conversations Swamiji had with these disciples, in which he answered their queries on a wide range of topics including Vedanta, Meditation, Karma Yoga as well as how to tackle India’s social problems of poverty, education etc. In several of these talks, Swamiji reveals the details of his wonderful spiritual experiences and the extent of his immense yogic powers. Although these conversations have been documented in the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda they are nevertheless scattered over its many volumes. This book makes them easy to read by gathering them in one place.
A Guide to Spiritual Life – Spiritual Teachings of Swami Brahmananda by The Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Advaita Ashrama e-store
Swami Brahmananda was one of the 16 monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. Affectionately called as “Maharaj” by others, he was a divine soul, who had attained to the highest state of spiritual realization (Nirvikalpa Samadhi, or complete union with God), just as his brother disciple, Swami Vivekananda had done. One fascinating fact about Swami Brahmananda was that Sri Ramakrishna had revealed him to have been a playmate of Lord Krishna and one of the shepherd boys of Brindavan, in a previous incarnation.
In this book Swami Brahmananda gives valuable tips on how to attain success in meditation by identifying and overcoming common difficulties that arise in every aspirant’s path.
For Seekers of God – Spiritual Talks of Swami Shivananda by The Advaita Ashrama
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Advaita Ashrama e-store
Swami Shivananda was another great God-realized yogi and a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. In this wonderful book of talks, Mahapurushji (as he was called) reveals many hidden details from the life of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda that are not commonly known. For example, it is in this book that Mahapurushji reveals that Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda took birth to awaken the sleeping Kundalini Shakti of India. (The net result of this when we look back was that Indians were finally able rise up in vast numbers, struggle and attain freedom from British rule.) Many other such fascinating details are offered in this book.
The Call of the Spirit – Conversations with Swami Akhandananda by Sri Ramakrishna Math
Level: Beginner
(Free Download not available) | Buy Book from Advaita Ashrama e-store
Swami Akhandananda was another great Yogi and direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. Once someone asked Swami Akhandananda if he had seen God and the Swami humbly replied: “Yes, while I was in the Himalayas, I saw God face to face.” In this book this highly evolved sage provides glimpses into his own spiritual journey and offers practical advice to aspirants on how to evolve to a higher consciousness.
Q&A Book of Swami Sivananda, Divine Life Society
May I Answer That by by Swami Sivananda
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Divine Life Society e-store
Swami Sivananda was a God-realized sage who founded the Divine Life Society. In this book Swamiji answers over 200 questions put to him by devotees, including: How to awaken one’s Kundalini; do we need to renounce the world in order to progress on the spiritual path; why must those pursuing the spiritual path eat vegetarian food; how to meditate correctly; can we change our gender from male to female in the next birth; and many other intriguing questions.
Yoga Questions and Answers
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Swami Sivananda’s answers to questions on: Methods of Mental Purification – Success in Meditation – Problems of Sex-Energy – Celibacy and God-Realization – Sahaja Samadhi and Nirvikalpa Samadhi – Experiences in Samadhi – Contemplation and Superconscious Experience etc.
Q&A Books of Sri Aurobindo, Aurobindo Ashram
Talks with Sri Aurobindo (Volume 1) by Nirodbaran
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Aurobindo Ashram e-store
This book is Part 1 of a 2 volume set which records lively conversations that Sri Aurobindo had with his disciples who used to gather round him in the evenings. In these talks Sri Aurobindo, the God-realized sage and Avatar, discusses some of his own spiritual experiences including the time when he saw Mother Kali in the living form and answers questions on the existence of Divine Grace, on Destiny – whether it is fixed or variable, on Astrology, on Yogic Powers, on the Psychology of Animals – how even animals are capable of meditating, on Science’s incorrect view of Consciousness and God, as well as many other fascinating topics.
Now one thing to note while reading Sri Aurobindo’s books is that the spiritual terminology he employs is different from the traditional terms used in Advaita Vedanta. So if by chance, one finds oneself stuck in places while reading this book, then the best thing to do is to keep that paragraph aside for the moment and continue reading on.
Talks with Sri Aurobindo (Volume 2) by Nirodbaran
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Aurobindo Ashram e-store
This second part of the two volume set, covers talks between Sri Aurobindo and his disciples, which took place at a critical juncture in Indian and World history, at a time when the Indian freedom struggle was intensifying and coming closer to fruition and simultaneously in Europe World War II was being fought. So this volume is interspersed with Sri Aurobindo’s views on the politics of the day and the war that was underway. In some of these conversations Sri Aurobindo also alludes to using his spiritual force to assist the Allies defeat Hitler, and to help pave the way for India to rise up against her British colonizers and illumine the world with her spirituality.
Evening Talks With Sri Aurobindo by A.B. Purani
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Aurobindo Ashram e-store
Like Nirodbaran, A.B. Purani too was a direct disciple of Sri Aurobindo who kept detailed records of many of his Evening Talks. So this book parallels the above listed 2 volume set of “Talks with Sri Aurobindo”.
Conversations with Sri Aurobindo by Pavitra
Level: Beginner
FREE Download | Buy Book from Aurobindo Ashram e-store
Pavitra was a French disciple of Sri Aurobindo, who in the course of practicing meditation, placed the difficulties he encountered before Sri Aurobindo. This book records the answers he received from his guru. In these answers Sri Aurobindo offers valuable instructions on how to quieten the mind and meditate more effectively.
Q&A Books of Mother Mirra, Aurobindo Ashram
Questions & Answers (Several Volumes) by Mother Mirra
Level: Beginner
All Volumes of this Book at the Aurobindo Ashram e-store
Mother Mirra was a God-realized sage with tremendous Yogic powers, who took birth to aid Sri Aurobindo in his work of raising the collective consciousness of humanity. Over the years Mother answered many queries posed by disciples, which have been preserved across several volumes of “Questions & Answers”. These volumes, which can be downloaded from the Aurobindo Ashram website (link above), have been categorized by the year in which Mother answered the queries. Topics covered by her include: Love, Surrender, Karma, Life after Death, Adverse Forces, Aim of Life, Silencing the Mind, Meaning of Dreams and Visions etc.
Words of the Mother – I
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Mother Mirra on Sri Aurobindo – His Mahasamadhi – His Eternal Presence. This book also includes Mother’s reassurances to disciples: “I am With You” – To be Near Me – Physical Nearness – Role as guide – I am Not Displeased – Proper Conduct – No Politics etc. The book further includes Mother Mirra’s thoughts on Auroville: Aims and Principles – Maitrimandir – Social Regulations, Finance etc.
Words of the Mother – II
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If you are going through difficult times this book is a must read – The Way God Works – Faith in the Divine Grace and Help – Trust in the Divine Grace – Help in Difficulties – Cause & Utility of Difficulties – Never Complain, Never Worry about Difficulties – Face and Overcome Difficulties – Surrender to the Divine Will – Peace, Calm & Quiet – Gratitude & Faithfulness – Will & perseverance – Heroism & Bravery etc.
Words of the Mother – III
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A superb book of small explanations of Mother on a wide variety of topics: Occultism – Astrology – Palmistry – Numbers, Colours, Symbols – Morality and War – War and Violence – Wealth and Economics – Government and Politics – Human Unity – Old Age and Death – Rebirth – Suicide – Sleep, Dreams & Causes of Illness – Worry, Fear, Wrong Thinking and Illness – Will to Conquer Illness – Cure by Divine Grace – Doctors and Medicines etc.
Some Answers from the Mother
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If you are looking for guidance this is one of the best books to read. It contains practical advice and explanations Mother Mirra gave to 14 people, over many years. The advice of Mother is presented in a question and answer format making it very easy to read and grasp by beginners on the spiritual path.
More Answers from the Mother
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A companion book to Some Answers from the Mother. This books again contains questions disciples put to Mother Mirra over many years and her patient explanations and guidance. It is a must read for any sadhak. The beauty of the book lies in the fact that any page can be opened and read, and the necessary guidance from Mother sought.
