|
Swami Chidananda Saraswati, President
of the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, India
All the Hindus of our global Hindu brotherhood are verily indebted
to Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami for his super compendium of
Hinduism so carefully compiled, classified, carefully arranged,
edited and published. Today it can be unhesitatingly proclaimed
that he is a genius of Hinduism. He has put millions under a deep
debt of gratitude by his unprecedented literary work. This
marvelous practical guidebook. It is a most comprehensive and
almost complete summary. True, books have been produced to present
to the public with the knowledge of our religion, but most of them
have been limited in their scope.
This present second edition of Living with Siva
is a super publication which will doubtlessly girdle the globe.
Once upon a time the saying that was current declared, "The sun
never sets upon the British Empire." Even so, the light of Hinduism
will never stop shining all over the world as long as this great
book remains in circulation. The very praiseworthy feature of this
book from the Hindu Monastery of Kauai is the interesting way it
has been presented in four parts and in the form of 365 lessons for
a systematic perusal which makes for easy reading. Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami has broken new ground and become a pioneer in the
field of religious and socio-cultural literature, even as Sir
Edmund Hillary and the renowned Sherpa Tensing Norkay in the field
of mountaineering and scaling of unscaled peaks. Nevertheless,
inspite of the greatness of this achievement, it is inspiring to
note his great humility as a chela, or disciple, of his worshipful
guru, Satguru His Holiness Sri Siva Yogaswami of Jaffna, Sri Lanka,
who was a living guru even till the year 1963 when he attained
mahasamadhi.
What greatly enhances the value of Living with
Siva is that its pages do not merely constitute a learned
dissertation upon a subject, but rather they address themselves to
the reader, i.e. the devout religious minded Hindu individual
living his life in the framework of Hindu society as well as human
society as a whole and carrying on his daily duties and activities
as a brahmachari, or a grihastha, or a retired vanaprasthi, or as a
monastic sannyasin even, in the true spirit of Saivism and of
Hinduism. The ideals of all four of these stages, or ashrams, just
mentioned are brought and presented in a nice manner so as to
constitute a guideline for the individual reader to live up to
it.
I warmly congratulate revered Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami for this gift of his to 21st century mankind and
wish the book the widest possible circulation that it richly
deserves. May God bless you. Aum Namah Sivaya.

Karan Singh, Ph.D. Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha),
former Indian Ambassador to the US, Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu
University and son of Kashmir's last Maharaja,New Delhi,
India
With the publication of Living with Siva,Hinduism's Contemporary
Culture, Sri Sivaya Subramuniyaswami has completed a remarkable
trilogy which includes Dancing with Siva and Merging with Siva.
These three volumes taken together comprise a rich and invaluable
source of inspiration for Hindus around the world. Written with
great depth of thought, clarity of exposition and based upon his
personal experience, these volumes should find an honored place in
Hindu homes around the world. In addition, they are a valuable
source material for studies in Hinduism and comparative religion
and will, therefore, be of considerable value for universities,
academic institutions and public libraries around the world. I
warmly commend this book to all seekers, students and sadhakas
around the world.

Swami Asimatmananda for Srimat Swami
Ranganathanandaji, President of the Belur Ramakrishna Math and
Mission, West Bengal, India
Maharaj found the praise of Siva presented in the book very
inspiring. He himself has been a devotee of Siva from his boyhood
days when he regularly used to visit the beautiful cave temple of
Siva in the village of his birth. Maharaj hopes that Living with
Siva will inspire many people in their devotion to Siva. Maharaj
conveys his love to Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswamiji as also to
all other mathavasis of the Hindu Monastery at Kauai. He remembers
his meeting with Satguru Yogaswami, whom he had visited along with
the late Swami Prematmanandaji, the then Head of the Ramakrishna
Mission, Colombo, during one of his visits to Jaffna, many years
ago.

H.H. Sri La Sri Arunagirinatha Sri Gnanasambanda
Desikar Paramacharya Swamigal, Aadheenakarthar and 292nd Guru
Mahasannidhanam of Madurai Aadheenam, Madurai, India.
The book Living with Siva is the greatest book ever
written. It is a book of divine instruction. It offers comfort in
sorrow, guidance in perplexity, advice for our problems, rebuke for
our sins and daily inspiration for our every need. This is not
simply one book. It is an entire library of books covering the
whole range of literature. It includes history, poetry, drama,
biography, prophecy, philosophy, science and inspirational
reading.
Living with Siva alone truly answers the greatest
questions that men of all ages have asked: "Where have I come
from?", "Where am I going?", "Why am I going?", "Why am I here?",
"How can I know the Truth?" Living with Siva reveals the
truth about God, explains the origin of man, points out the only
way to salvation and eternal life and explains the age-old problem
of sin and suffering. Living with Siva discovers sin and
confronts us with it, helps cleanse us from the pollution of sin,
imparts strength, provides us with a sword for victory over sin,
makes our lives fruitful and gives us power to pray.

Sri Sri Swami Bua Ji Maharaj, age 112,
founder and head of the Indo-American Yoga-Vedanta Society in New
York, teacher of Sanatana Dharma in South America and
elsewhere
The hands of a clock are powered from the center no matter where
they point. Likewise, Siva's followers, wherever they are, whatever
direction they look at, are powered by Siva from the universal
center and guided by the satguru. But these days the digital
clocks have come up. So, the center as well as the hands have
become invisible. It does not mean that they do not exist. It is
only more difficult to visualize the center and the hands.
At this juncture, there is a proclamation in the form of a book
that says God is within you and you are in God. The hands have
merged with the center. We see only the movements -- only the dance
-- only the change in the digits.
This is an ardent attempt to break the misconception that if you
worship God Siva, He will take everything away from you. This is
not true. God Siva gives everything. "Living with Siva is living
with love."
We seekers of the present day who can read English are highly
fortunate since Gurudeva has decided to release this second edition
wherein he has included about 800 pages of his inspired speeches
which cover all the subjects on the Earth, varying from marriage,
abortion, suicide, television, computers... is there anything else
which is left out?
The traditional path of dharma is elucidated -- methods
and techniques which will be helpful to everyone to find God within
themselves are enumerated in this book. The four progressive stages
of life are defined. The normal human life span is specified as 120
years with transitions at 40 and 80. The student stage is from 12
to 24, the householder stage is from 24 to 48; the stage of
respected elder is from 48 to 72 and the stage of the religious
solitaire after 72 years of age. How wonderful it would be if the
human race understands these stages and regulates their lives
accordingly! In the modern world, there are many who become
householders around twenty by losing brahmacharya and become
disrespected elders around sixty-five!
Starting from the purpose of life, the 365 Nandinatha
Sutras unfold one after the other with stunning simplicity and
astonishing brightness like pearls. Defining discipline, touching
on theology, they specify ethics showing care for the world, they
examine life and death. There are instructions for everybody, for
every situation -- for men, women, parents, husbands, wives,
business men, politicians, scientists -- none is forgotten or left
out.
Some have called these sutras a modern Tirukural.
I would like to call these a "Parallel Tirukural" -- parallel
because these convey the same messages in similar formats of
aram, porul, veedu and inbam in short precise
sentences loaded with essence.
The language used is very simple, direct and does
not need any interpreter. Each sutra emanates religious
fragrance to Saiva followers. This book which is an excellent
compilation of ethical rules, moral directives, saintly
instructions and Godly guidance, should reach far and wide and
become the pride possession of many, transforming this land worthy
of living.

Pundit K.N. Navaratnam, M.A.F.A., F.A.A.,
Jaffna Tamil elder, Jyotisha Marthand and National Astrologer of
Australia, Sivathondan Center, Hallam, Australia.
Living with Siva is the latest monumental spiritual work
from our beloved Gurudeva. In this time of spiritual darkness his
teachings are like the cooling rains on a parched summer afternoon.
Following directly in the lineage of Tirumular, who gave us three
thousand verses of wisdom, Gurudeva has blessed us with another
thousand pages of insight that is akin to being hit over the head
with a hammer to awaken us from our spiritual slumber. This work is
medicine for a sick and diseased world where the darkness of
maya has led many people away from God. God consciousness
cannot be explained in words but must be uncovered inside oneself
by oneself. Gurudeva explains how to remove the maya of the
world and conditioning of the mind like peeling the layers off an
onion.
In all his works, Gurudeva shows the path that must be walked.
It is a path that must be walked alone, although we can take great
reassurance he is always with us like a divine guide pointing in
the right direction and offering advice and encouragement. All
seekers are urged to join us on this great journey. The road is
tough and full of dangers and pitfalls, but once on it we must
follow it to the end. It is so reassuring Gurudeva is here to
provide the much needed religious insight in our technologically
advanced and ever-changing world. He is like a shining diamond
spreading his divine wisdom to all corners of the world.

Sri Sri Swami Pragyanand, Founder and Patron
of Sai Pragya Dham, Pragya Mission International, Pragya Mitra
Pariwar and Pragya Yoga Foundation, New Delhi, and Vishwa Mata
Gayatri Trust, Delhi, India.
I wonder how deep is Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's knowledge about the
great Hindu Gods Ganesha and Siva. These volumes have made him an
institution in himself rather than an individual. While reading
Living with Siva, I feel that Swamiji has completely engaged
himself with Lord Siva and, through deep meditation, he has
actually visualized what he has written in the book. He has
actually attained in reality all that a saint aspires to achieve.
With his thoughts and writings, Swamiji has rendered valuable
service to humanity all over the world, not only to Hindus. Swamiji
is a living, legendary scholar, and he has influenced the entire
galaxy of saints the world over. The saintly world is highly proud
of him.
I have not come across any other publication so
deep in thought, devotion and vision as this, except Swamiji's
earlier treatise Dancing with Siva. The book is a testimony
of his communion with Lord Siva, as just a thinker, whatever his
intellect, cannot give this kind of disclosure.
The subject matter embodied in Living with
Siva is so diversified and comprehensive that it leaves out no
aspect of present day life and the prevailing distortions in
society. The book is a practical guide to individuals as to how to
be pure in thoughts and actions. I would like to particularly draw
the attention of the truth seeker readers to the 365 Nandinatha
Sutras for right living. If practiced, the individual will
elevate himself and the society to where there will be no misdeeds,
no violence, no social tensions, no hatred, no cold wars, no fear,
no greed and no lust for power. It will be a society without any
kind of evil. There would be a mutual tolerance, nonviolence,
unity, equality, love, international peace and
brotherhood.
Humanity is on the brink of its self-annihilation
and self-destruction. It is crying and groaning. There is darkness
all around. International brutalities, terrorism and blood thrust
have made the Earth a hell. The path shown by Living with
Siva is the only hope. It is the silver lining in the thick and
dark clouds.

Tiru A. Kandiah, Ph.D Jaffna Tamil elder,
Author of Malarum Manamum; Former Head of the Department of Tamil,
University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, Former Professor at the
University of London, now living in Sydney, Australia.
If a person studies these lessons every day for a year, he or she
will have completed a profound sadhana, a personal odyssey
into the interior life of him or herself and into the depths of
Hinduism, a practice sufficient to change their lives by
transforming the way they look at life itself.

H.H. Dada J.P. Vaswani Head of the worldwide
Sadhu Vaswani Mission, renowned Sindhi religious leader and
eloquent lecturer, Pune, India.
Living with Siva, Hinduism's Contemporary Culture deals
with some of the profound issues of our time concerning God, family
life, money, food, religion and culture. The Western materialistic
goal is personal fulfillment. The Eastern religious ideal is
fulfillment of one's duty towards parents, children, society,
country and religion. When the children of Eastern families
encounter Western values, in many cases personal fulfillment
overrides duty, threatening to cut at the very roots of our
culture. Taking India and the West as two poles for comparison,
this wonderful book analyzes the cause of the cultural crisis and
its ethical, philosophical and social implications.
Living with Siva is the fruit of Satguru
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's years of study and experience. It is a
reflection on the fundamentals of Hinduism, the religion which,
like the sun, is ever ancient and ever new, the religion that rises
up after every upheaval like a center-of-gravity doll. What does
Hinduism have to say about the issues relating to traditional
family life and their relevance to modern times? How far are
Hinduism's ideas about God, family life, money, food and culture
different from those of other faiths? This lucid, impressive and
highly readable book draws our attention, among other things, to
the focus of Hinduism on dharma and its deep-rooted faith in
the theory of karma. When dharma is the shared ideal
of every family member, as opposed to self-fulfillment or
socio-economic objectives, it is easier to navigate troubled
waters. Faith in karma, the law by which our thoughts, words
and deeds reap their natural reactions helps hold the family
together.
At a time when we are facing a global failure of
the traditional family unit and find ourselves at a loss in coping
with the by-products of such a failure, this timely book emerges as
a breath of fresh air, reminding us of our rich cultural heritage.
Here is a book that is waiting to embrace into its fold millions of
Hindus who are waiting to be converted into true Hindus.

Siva Pasupati. Jaffna Tamil elder,
President's Counsel and Former Attorney General of Sri Lanka,
President of the Australian Tamil Foundation, Sydney,
Australia
One of the greatest challenges
facing modern society, particularly in the more "developed"
countries, is the need to reestablish the family unit, the
disintegration of which has largely contributed to the increase in
crime, the misuse of drugs and other evils. In Living with
Siva, Gurudeva has revealed very lucidly all aspects of
Hinduism's contemporary culture, drawing on the experiences of over
6000 years of Hindu family history. There is now an urgent need to
preserve and practice the Hindu culture, which has displayed
resilience and an ability to survive many of the ravages of modern
society. It is not only Hindus, but all seekers of wisdom, truth
and knowledge living in different parts of the world, who will be
inspired and guided by this remarkable masterpiece.

V. CanaganayagamFormer manager of Gurudeva's Sri Subramuniya
Ashram in Alaveddy, Sri LankaLiving with Siva is an
excellent book which lays down the dharmic way in which
every Hindu could live his or her life from the beginning to the
end. Hindu literature is so vast that it is not possible for
everyone to go through it and gather the essence of it. Besides,
the language in which it is enshrined may not be familiar to all.
To make the spiritual treasures of Hinduism available to all who
wish to avail themselves of them and the rendering of them in an
international language like English is much to be appreciated. We
Hindus value the words of a sage or swami. That the
intuition and insight of Gurudeva and the swamis have gone
into the making and publication of this book makes it all the more
sacred. In a fast-moving world everyone does not find time for so
many things, even to know and practice one's religion. The
dedication of this book in memory of Siva Yogaswami of Jaffna makes
the Jaffna man proud of his spiritual inheritance.

Sri Svami Yogananda Giri Founder and
Spiritual Head of Unione Induista Italiana, Sanatana Dharma Samgha,
Gitananda Ashram, Carcare, Italy.
I read Living with Siva by Satgurudeva with great pleasure
and interest. His encyclopedic knowledge expresses its vastness and
deepness in this book. It is really extraordinary how Satgurudeva
deals with any subject with great ability and wisdom: from ethical
to spiritual life, social life with all its sacraments
(samskaras), emotional purity, penance (tapas).
Actually, every aspect of dharma, sadhana and Hindu religion
is dealt with in an illuminating and crystal clear manner. It's a
book for everyone on everything. Satgurudeva takes us by hand
lesson after lesson, leading us towards full spiritual
emancipation. It is surely a text that any person who aspires to
reach spiritual emancipation should read and above all meditate on.
May Siva give long life to this representative of Him on Earth so
that he may always illumine the path.
Thiru Satkunendran Jaffna Tamil
elder, Assistant Secretary of the Sivathondan Nilayam, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada.
What an appropriate book to be released by Gurudeva in this Kali
Yuga cycle, when the Tamil diaspora in Europe, North America and
Australia are reeling aimlessly, being unable to discriminate
between the good and bad, especially our youth, who are caught in
the midst of the Western "culture shock." They do not know how to
respect parents, guru, temple and teachers at school. People
changing religion for mere financial benefits, breakdown in
marriages, family and the dawn of a new culture... "single parent
homes!" The author beautifully states that the Western
materialistic goal is personal fulfillment, while the Eastern
religious ideal is fulfillment of duty to one's parents, society
and country, which includes tradition. However, when children of
Eastern families are raised up with Western values, personal
fulfillment overrides everything else. This book contains golden
advice in easy to understand English, is interesting to read, as
each subject is short, and the reader can simply get the message of
Gurudeva without the aid of another person to provide explanation.
This is written targeting the present and future generations who
are desperately seeking the truth, which parents are unable to
interpret in a modern way, and this is aptly seen in this brilliant
work. Enlightening both to the young and old alike. For the young,
all the unanswered questions have meaningful explanations and, for
the old, many topics refresh the mind and, of course, answers to
the questions of modern times are found only in this invaluable
book. The guru is so kind and generous in saying that one
needs to read only one lesson a day, as he appreciates our hectic
lifestyle. Topics vary from yoga practice to computers, war
and peace to reverence for the environment, tobacco and drugs to
guidelines for business and money. Guru protocol is a must
to be read over, as many devotees are not aware of the do's and
don'ts in the presence of the guru. A first glance at the
size of the book will make anyone think, "Oh! Where do I find
enough time to read this dictionary?" But once you start reading,
it motivates you to read more than one lesson a day! Thank you,
Gurudeva, for this wonderful gift.

Sri Sri Swami Satchidananda, Founder and
Spiritual Head of Satchidananda Ashram and its Light of Truth
Universal Shrine (LOTUS), renowned yoga master and visionary,
Yogaville, Virginia.
Gurudeva Sri Sivaya Subramuniyaswami has done it again. Here in
this book he clearly guides the reader who would want to follow the
Saiva Siddhanta tradition. May all the readers benefit by this
great book.

Swami Shuddhananda Brahmachari Founder of
the Lokenath Divine Life Mission, India, and Lokenath Divine Life
Fellowship, USA.
In this most useful handbook of daily practice, Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswamiji, inspires every Hindu -- and seekers in general
-- to follow the timeless principles of Sanatana Dharma. I am sure,
like his previous two books, Dancing with Siva and
Merging with Siva, this final book of his creative trilogy,
Living with Siva, will guide travelers on the path of Truth
towards the ultimate destination of realizing Oneness with
Siva.

Ashwinee Ragoonanan, Jyotishi from Banaras
Hindu University, Publisher of Kashi ka Patra, President of the
Kashika Yog and Meditation Foundation, Trinidad and Tobago.
Sri Adi Sankaracharya was responsible for reestablishing the
status of Sanatana Dharma when it was at its lowest ebb. Today,
without a doubt, it is safe to say that Gurudeva Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami is an incarnation of Adi Sankaracharya in
principle and wisdom, reestablishing and redefining Sanatana Dharma
for the present generation and future minds. The gamut of Sanatana
Dharma could not be composed in a more lucid and comprehensive
manner as it is presented in Living with Siva. Swamiji, in
his compilation of Living with Siva, has caught the dynamism
of Hinduism to touch the spirit and mind of both the young and the
old, the ancient and the modern.

Vimala Krishnapillai, Ph.D. Lecturer at the
University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, President of the Sri Ramakrishna
Sarada Samithi, Colombo, Joint Trustee of the Siva Yogar Swami
Thiruvadi Trust.
Living with Siva is a priceless, monumental text. On
reading it, I felt that Lord Siva, transcending time and space, has
transmitted His gift of grace, to humanity through Satguru Sivaya
Subrumuniyaswami. The presence of the direct communication of
truth, so far as it can be put in words, is there on every page.
Written in simple words, it is made understandable to all who
aspire to walk the Saiva path, Saivaneri. Every aspect of
day-to-day living, both secular and religious, family, society,
food, health, money management and, above all, God, are touched
upon. Step by step, Gurudeva helps one to live a balanced,
harmonious life with the goal of raising one's spiritual
consciousness. The tremendous energizing power of the text awakens
and arouses one from his or her stupor to keep the inner light
aglow.
The text contains in essence the whole of Hindu
heritage, the Vedas, Upanishads, Agamas and the outpouring
of saints and sages down the ages. Herein, Sanatana Dharma, the
ancient and eternal path, ever fresh and vibrant, forges forth into
international frontiers as the religion of the future.
May we express our hearts' deepest gratitude and
praise to Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami for placing this sacred
text as samarpanam at the tiruvadi, gracious feet, of
his Paramaguru Siva Yogaswamigal of Yalpanam, Sri Lanka, whom we
adore and venerate as our ancestral kulaguru.

H.H. Swami TejomayanandaSpiritual Head of
Chinmaya Mission, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Sandeepany
Sadhanalaya, Mumbai, India.
The book becomes interesting since it touches almost all aspects
of one's life, secular and spiritual. It is the lack of such
information and knowledge that creates confusion in the minds of
people regarding their own duties and understanding of their
religion. In this context, this book plays a very important role in
educating the Hindus. There are certain topics, like the wisdom of
early marriage, which are quite controversial in modern time.
Gurudeva has dealt with them beautifully, and I have every hope
that people will appreciate the maturity of thought running through
these topics.

Thillaiampalam Visuvalingam, President of
the Saiva Sidhdhantha Manram, Managing Editor of Anbu Neri,
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Living with Siva is a divine work of Siva Consciousness.
These lessons address all the issues confronting a modern person
who wishes to follow Sanatana Dharma. This divine work should be in
all households for the Saivite Hindus, young and old, to gain the
true path of Lord God Siva realization.
This is a book on Siva consciousness for all
Saivite Hindus, and especially for those who lack faith in
themselves and whose faith is undermined by ignorance and
indifference. We are all fortunate that such a book has been
conceived by Gurudeva to meet the needs of modern men and women.
May the almighty Lord Siva bless him with all courage and a long
healthy life to continue his divine contribution.

Brahmacharini Maya Tiwari. Spiritual Head of
the Wise Earth Monastery, Candler, North Carolina, and the Mother
Om Mission, Guyana, South America.
In this impressive guidebook, Gurudeva's beneficent voice of
universal Truth unearths and reintroduces the Hindu dharmas
for living in awareness, integrity and joy. More than a perennial
wellspring of Hindu ideals, Living with Siva demonstrates
everyday-life ways that help us to become conscious of negative
habits and provides us with the means to recognize, acknowledge and
rid toxic thoughts and harmful activities from our lives. This
guidebook is a masterful blueprint for reclaiming physical,
emotional and spiritual health or, as Gurudeva puts it, "the
ahimsa home" wherein we may connect our inner experience to
the infinite wisdom of the rishis. Living with Siva implies
exactly that: cultivating unflinching awareness and adherence to
the path of dharma.
Pandit Rajendra
SharmaPriest of the Hindu Worship Society, Houston,
Texas.
Living with Siva is not a book, but a manual of salvation
for all humankind! Gurudeva has taken out the nectar supreme from
Sanatana scriptures and has presented them here in simple language
for the benefit of all living creatures. If I compare this manual
to the great Bhagavad Gita, I would not be wrong. Bhagwan
Sri Krishna gave the synopsis of the Vedas and
Upanishads to Arjun in the simple language of the day,
yonder "Prakrit," for the benefit of the simple-minded people. So
has Gurudeva presented this great essence of the Sanatana Dharma
for the public of today. A long time ago a great religious and
social reformer was born who gave us a great treatise which is
known to the modern world as Manu Smriti, and in this modern
time we have our own Gurudeva who has made it possible for us by
giving the same kind of knowledge for the common people of today. I
hereby suggest that this great book of knowledge be kept in all
homes and libraries on this Earth.

Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami
Maheshwarananda Spiritual Head of the Society "Yoga in Daily
Life," Vienna, Austria.
With this divine work, once more Gurudeva is going to inspire and
uplift the consciousness of mankind, especially of the Hindus who
live in different parts of the world. After the volumes Dancing
with Siva and Merging with Siva, this new publication
brings Lord Siva straight into our daily lives. Living with
Siva is designed to become an integrated part of everyday life
-- day-by-day throughout the whole year the reader will get a
divine lesson that motivates and encourages him the whole day long.
I congratulate the author of this really ingenious guidebook that
preserves and makes approachable the eternal values of Sanatana
Dharma for our modern civilization in an easily comprehensible way.
Especially, I recommend this book to Indian parents living in and
outside of India. The children are the future of this Earth, and in
order to reveal and establish the ethical fundamentals of Vedic
culture and religion to the new generation, this book really should
not be missed in any Indian family!
 Tiru Perampalam
Saravanamuthu President of the Selangor Wilayah Persekutuan
Ceylon Saivites Association, Chairman of the First National
Malaysian Saiva Siddhanta Seminar, 1983, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Living with Siva is not a book for keeping in the cupboard
of a home library; instead, the book should form an essential item
in the prayer room, taking its place with the ritual utensils used
for prayer at the altar. The subjects covered are most relevant for
not only the adult Saivite Hindu but more for Saivite children for
whom the reading of this book should be mandatory, as the present
Saivites are faced with new multifarious challenges arising from
negative influences prevalent in modern society. It is only through
sound knowledge of the tenets of Sanatana Dharma that the community
could insulate itself from the onslaught of new-fangled practices
that only cater to the base instincts and would attract many
rebirths to atone for the bad karmas thus accumulated.
Living with Siva is for daily use during prayers, by those
present -- a lesson a day would keep bad karmas at
bay.
Living with Siva contains 365 lessons
which were originally delivered to the disciples at Kauai Aadheenam
and others and, as such, have been tested and tried and found to be
very appropriate for all those professing or wanting to learn more
about Saivite Hinduism. The author has delved deeply and
systematically into the various subjects that constitute the
lessons. For example, the ten yamas and the ten
niyamas have been expounded upon extensively, so much so
that 100 pages give detailed explanations on the ancient scriptural
injunction for all aspects of human thought, attitude and behavior,
giving no room for any doubts to arise in the mind of the layman.
The oft repeated advice is that a family should pray together to be
on the spiritual path.
The lessons have been flavored and garnished with
the occasional Sanskrit or Tamil word to convey the exact meaning
and interpretation of the tenets under discussion. But almost every
Sanskrit or Tamil word used has been accompanied by its most
appropriate English word or phrase. Thus, the object of introducing
specific Sanskrit and Tamil words, namely to make their meanings
familiar to the reader, has been achieved through this method of
repeating the words and thus enabling the reader to learn the word
and its meaning through minimum effort.
The present lifestyle of many Saivites is based
on Western culture, which in some instances runs contradictory to
Hindu culture. The adoption of an alien custom and tradition often
results in the arousal of negative emotions which destroy not only
the individual but the family and the community. The writings in
this book cry out to the Saivite reader: Go back to basics. An
appeal is also being made to the readers of Living with Siva
to study the scriptures and practice the Saivite customs and
traditions which have been cleansed in the fire of purification
which had been fueled by the logs of love, fasts, sacrifices and
experience during the past many millennia, which would lead the
devotee to merge with Siva.

R. Rajathurai, Former school teacher, former
president of the Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, Singapore.
The release of this book at this point in time is most appropriate
in view of the many challenges faced by the Saivite community. The
book contains a wealth of information on various topics within its
more than a thousand pages. Anyone reading the 365 lessons, which
form the daily sermon for the whole year, would feel His Holiness'
concerns for the multifarious problems faced by the Hindu Saivite
community in general and the youth in particular. Rapid progress
achieved in the fields of science and technology, especially within
the second half of the 20th century, has to some extent warped
human thinking. Man now thinks of "playing God" by tinkering and
tampering with nature's creation to improve its quality. This
illusion has produced some horrendous results -- an example is the
mad cow disease. Such new thinking has also affected long
established institutions by creating disarray. For example, the
holy matrimony normally conducted in a sanctified holy place is now
sometimes conducted in odd places -- while parachuting, while
deep-sea diving and so on -- and the consumption of
non-sattvic food on such occasions is becoming fashionable.
The legal empowerment of women has resulted in a shift of women's
place in creation. God's natural empowerment of women as creators
has now been surrendered to the pill and to the abortionist; the
nourishment of children has now largely been surrendered to the
udder of the cow, the street hawker and to the school canteen
operator. And as for education, it is left entirely to the school
which is unable to replace what should rightly be shared with those
in the child's home. The school, furthermore, is at all times
competing with the influence of the television on young minds.
Beginning at a very tender age, the child could enter an empty
house after school while the mother is slaving with the father for
additional income to purchase luxuries in their "competition with
the Jones."
Living with Siva is a powerful weapon now
in the hands of Saivites to combat the evils mentioned under such a
scenario, and it is hoped that every Saivite will arm himself or
herself with this weapon of destruction of evil and use it every
day to save not only oneself but to liberate as many souls as
possible from their prarabdha karma by following the advice
as enunciated in the lessons and in the Nandinatha Sutras of
this book.

K.L. Seshagiri Rao, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus
at the University of Virginia, Editor of the quarterly journal
World Faiths Encounter, Chief Editor of the forthcoming
Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Columbia, South Carolina.
On the threshold of the 21st century, Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami has presented us with a special gift: Living
with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Culture. It is a timely gift
to the followers of Saivism and to Hindus all over the
world.
The author underscores in this work the essential
principles of Sanatana Dharma, popularly known as Hinduism, and
relates them to the issues and problems of our times and society.
Dharma includes a code of conduct in all its aspects: duties to
God, to fellow human beings and to creation in general. Deep faith
in Siva, God, provides a firm basis for individuals and groups to
deal with the problems of life successfully; it leads to the wisdom
that discovers right solutions and to the strength that puts them
into action in individual and social life.
A great deal of attention is given to life and
living, here and now, in this technological age. For example, the
institution of the family, which is under severe attack these days,
is given special attention, and the ways to restore the sacred
values of the family to domestic life are discussed. It shows that
spiritual life that neglects worldly duties is callous, and worldly
life that neglects spiritual values is blind. In the process, many
misconceptions about Hinduism are corrected.
Human beings become entangled in materialism
under conditions of ignorance. Exclusive materialistic endeavors
frequently make people aggressive, arrogant, selfish, violent and
miserable. The author points out that spiritual nature illumines
the intellect and dispels ignorance. Living in divine consciousness
releases spiritual values such as love, compassion, service and
abiding happiness, which uplift life and bring all peoples
together.
This is a significant publication; it is not
merely informative, but also transformative. While it continues to
strengthen Sivasambandham in the spirit of the ancient
Tirukural, it is also of ecumenical and contemporary
interest . For anyone interested in improving the quality of life,
it can serve as a valuable moral and spiritual guide on a daily
basis. I hope it will receive the wide attention it
deserves.

Vina Kandavanam, Patron of the the Hindu
Religious Society of Ontario, Canada, editor of Athmajothy,
President of the Tamil Writers Association of Canada and author of
25 literary and religious books.
Experience is the key word in this holy book. There are 365
well-planned lessons, each of which is an experience. Life and
books are shaken and honeyed together in a manner and style
suitable for all levels of readers who are inclined towards
Sanatana Dharma. By providing the right experience, Gurudeva slowly
and steadily paves the way for the readers to open up their minds
and elevates them to realize the Siva within themselves and to live
with Him thereafter. Once this unique stage of Siva Consciousness
is reached, life becomes smooth, peaceful, joyful and
meaningful.
It is my humble opinion that this sacred book has the power to
lighten up the hearts and minds of the readers and cleanse them of
all forms of sin, evil thought and desire and put them on the path
of Sanatana Dharma. I pray to Lord Siva that all His devotees be
able to taste this Saiva fruit, a wonderful gift from Gurudeva.

Sivanesan Sinniah,School Community Advisor
with Toronto School Board, President of the Association of Sri
Lankan Graduates of Canada, founder member and past president of
Sivathondan Center of Toronto.
This treasure trove of Gurudeva should be in the hands of everyone
who is eager to learn or know the Hindu way of life, which is older
than five thousand years or more. The traditional Hindu way of
living, which has undergone many changes with the advent of
scientific advancement, is brought to light by Gurudeva forcefully
and in a methodical way. His opening sentences with his guru
Siva Yogaswami's sayings, "See God in everything; you are in God;
God is within you; you must have a strong body and a pure mind,"
are apt and thought provoking. This book, with a wealth of
knowledge and advice to all Hindus, has come out at the proper time
when some Hindus are at a crossroads, having lost their roots,
their culture, having been enticed by the Western culture and
worldly pleasures. I am delighted to see a well-planned and
well-written book of Hindu culture. Hindu philosophy is well
explained by simple analogies and anecdotes.
This book has many valuable pieces of advice and
suggestions for all Hindus to take note of. Go through the daily
lessons in the book, digest the messages, follow them diligently,
and you will be a different person. You will be amazed to see the
wealth of knowledge this book has to offer to the readers. Most of
us are ignorant of our tradition and Hindu culture. It is high time
that we realize our roots and start living as true
Hindus.
Gurudeva has written about all aspects of life
and has analyzed them from various angles, traditional and modern:
practical advice to parents on managing a home, rearing children,
dealing with teens, managing money, eating healthy foods, praying
as a family and worshiping in temples. He has explained about the
yamas and niyamas, the core of the Hindu disciplines
and restraints for individuals, groups, communities and nations. He
speaks of untying the malas that bind us, namely anava,
karma and maya, of purifying the intellect, transmuting
willpower, about vows and vratas, marriage and
sanctity.
He also speaks of marvels of meditation and
consciousness, subconsciousness and superconsciousness, and a whole
lot of social issues like women's liberation and mothers'
neglecting children due to pressure of work in the office and at
home. Hence, children miss motherly love and affection.
Burning problems of immigrant communities such as
interfaith marriages, divorces, cross-national marriages and
clashing of cultures are dealt with in this book very carefully. He
also mentions about life in the inner world, astral planes,
transition, death and rebirth. Lots of interesting facts are given
in this book. Hence I feel that it is a must for everyone who is
interested in inner peace of mind and spiritual bliss.
Rajesh K.R. Bali, Director of Manufacturing and
Service for Lacent Technologies, Inc., Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada.
The more times I read Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's Living
with Siva, the more attachment I have with our supreme Lord
Sada Siva. All Hindus understand the vastness of Sanatana Dharma
and that there are many ways to approach that one Supreme God, Sada
Siva. The way Gurudeva has explained Hinduism in his many writings
is indeed unique. It allows the individuals to go deeper in their
search for their personal Deity. I am certain that there are many
followers of Sanatana Dharma who, by merely reading the writings of
His Holiness, have been put on the fast track towards attaining
liberation.
Having gone through some of his writings on Siva
confirmed that my spiritual objective on this Earth is to attain
the great devotion of Lord Sada Siva. Living with Siva
indeed is one scripture that is written in very simple terms. The
format is great and it is a practical guidebook for modern Hindus.
I absolutely appreciate the 365 lessons on various aspects, e.g.
sadhana, siddhanta, ethics, etc. It covers all aspects of
human life, and it certainly is a guide in our household. I am
certain this book will be well received by devotees at
large.

Dr. David Frawley, O.M.D. (Pandit Vamadeva
Shastri), Vedacharya, Director of the American Institute of
Vedic Studies, Author of How I Became a Hindu, Santa Fe, New
Mexico.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami has emerged as the most articulate
living spokesman for Hindu Dharma in the West and in a modern
English idiom. Living with Siva is the latest of his
monumental texts on the world's oldest and most comprehensive
religious tradition, covering its enormous depth, beauty and power
with both detail and precision.
All who want to practice any paths in the field
of Hindu Dharma will find much relevant instruction in the book.
Those who want to understand what Hinduism really is will find that
the book expands their horizons exponentially. In fact, anyone
interested in higher knowledge will find the book to be a treasure
house of wisdom illuminating all aspects of life, the universe and
consciousness in a lucid and compassionate manner. It can bring the
very power of Siva into your own mind and heart.

Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D. Director of the Yoga
Research Center, author of The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga,
Lower Lake, California.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami is today's foremost spokesman for
the living spiritual tradition of Saivism. Like his earlier book
Dancing with Siva, the complementary Living with Siva
is yet another priceless gift to the world. This comprehensive and
easy-to-read work not only gives the reader reliable and deep
insight into the practice of Saivism but Hinduism as a whole. Full
of wisdom and sane counsel, Living with Siva points a sure
way out of the complexities and confusions of conventional life,
drawing the reader closer to peace and inner freedom. Even
non-Saivites can benefit from this masterful
presentation.
Dr. Mahesh Mehta,
Professor of Indian Religions and Philosophy, Department of
Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Windsor,
Canada.
Living with Siva is, at its best, about living in the
constant consciousness of Siva, that is, living a life divine.
Living with Siva is a product of Subramuniyaswami's profound
wisdom and realization. It is written out of a benevolent desire to
enable earnest aspirants to achieve their spiritual unfoldment
systematically and steadily. The lessons are both secular and
spiritual instructions for the inner journey of a sadhaka to
the ultimate goal of merging into Siva. Part One is especially
significant in that it deals with the cultivation of mental and
moral purification and of meditative discipline culminating in
seeing the eternal dance of Siva in one's own Self and in all
beings and things.
|
|