Books (by Author)

Journey of Self-Discovery is a collection of transcribed conversations and lectures by Srila Prabhupada on a variety of subjects, including the means for achieving global unity, the myth of scarcity, spiritual economics, superior evolutionary models, and predictions of the future state of the world.

Many of these pieces previously appeared in Back to Godhead magazine, and helpfully address the doubts that inevitably arise for those new to the Vedic view of reality.

While Srila Prabhupada published definitive, scholarly translations and commentaries on some of the world’s most important ancient texts—Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Chaitanya Charitamrita—his printed talks found here in Journey of Self-Discovery capture the humorous, refreshing flavor of his lively debating style.

As the ambassador to the West of the age-old Krishna bhakti cult—which teaches practical devotional service to God in His most approachable and attractive form—Srila Prabhupada speaks with an authority that is hard to resist. His arguments for intelligent design, and the existence of a supremely intelligent person possessing such intelligence, have inspired many skeptics, agnostics, and atheists to reassess their worldview.

In February of 1969, Srila Prabhupada gave a series of lectures in Los Angeles on the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, which deals with the yoga system. Path of Perfection is a collection of these historic talks.

“No one really wants to sit down and meditate. Why should we? We’re meant for positive activity, for recreation, for pleasure.”

He explains that a perfect life—in which the goal of yoga is reached—is dynamic and full of activity. Our nature is spiritual, and spirit is the essence of everything that lives. Real yoga means to connect our activities with the Supreme Spirit—in straightforward, practical ways. If perfection is possible, why settle for anything less?

“Perhaps you have seen pictures of Krishna, and if so, you have noticed that Krishna is always jolly. If you join His society, you will also become jolly. Have you ever seen pictures of Krishna working with a machine? Have you ever seen pictures of Krishna smoking? No, He is by nature full of pleasure, and if you unfold yourself in that way, you will also find pleasure.”

In these absorbing talks, Srila Prabhupada deeply explores the philosophy of yoga as explained in the Sixth and Eighth Chapters of the Gita, showing clearly how these timeless teachings apply today. Learn about the nature of consciousness, techniques of meditation, karma, death, reincarnation, and even spiritual ecstasy.