Religion and Social Values

by Swami Krishnananda

Publisher's Note

This book contains a series of five discourses given by Swami Krishnananda in 1981 during the Ashram's annual Sadhana Week. Here Swamiji describes the problems faced by every human being due to their own nature and also due to the world in which they live, and why people fail in their pursuits. Swamiji explains why moksha, or liberation, is actually the goal of everyone whether they recognise it or not, and why nothing else can be regarded as a lasting solution to their problems, or give true satisfaction.

Swami Krishnananda talks about different aspects of spiritual life, and removes certain misconceptions that many people have about it. Swamiji explains why religion and social life are not opposites, but are rather two aspects of a single duty which is the attainment of God, or moksha, in which all desires are fulfilled.

Many people think that if they attain God they will lose the world, or that they have to renounce the world in order to attain God. Swamiji explains how the terms 'God', 'moksha', 'liberation', 'spirituality' all refer to that state which is all-inclusive universal Totality. One can be in the world and be in that highest state at the same time. Swamiji gives techniques which take the seeker to a higher level of understanding, and these techniques can be practised along with one's regular day-to-day activities.

The Appendix consists of a discourse that was given on the Aradhana day of Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. Swamiji talks about the circumstances into which Sri Gurudev and others of his calibre were born, their purpose on Earth, and what they achieved.

May the blessings of Worshipful Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj be upon us all.

—THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY