Devi Mandir

Temple of Divine Mother

Before Becoming This

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Before Becoming This, by Dr. Steven Newmark

         Price=$20.00

This book relates the story of two remarkable modern saints, Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati. In a series of fascinating and candid interviews with author and transpersonal psychologist Steven Newmark, they share their spiritual perspective on India’s ancient wisdom, and how it applies to the issues facing men and women today.

Covering such diverse topics as devotion and worship, life after death, and the purpose of romantic relationships, this book offers a joyous view of the experience we call “life on Earth.”

Before coming to the US, Shree Maa, was so absorbed in God Realization for eight years, that she only ate a little piece of turmeric with basil leaves for her daily meal. One day, she heard an inner message to come to the West to teach the wisdom of India.

Swami Satyananda, born in the US, decided to travel the world an American after completing graduate school, and was so captivated by India that he renounced worldly life to take up the call of India’s rich spiritual heritage. Twenty years later, Swamiji met Shree Maa, and together they decided to come to the US to teach.

This book delves deep into the wisdom and experience of Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati and brings their spiritual vision to all.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Newmark is a psychologist with a clinical practice in Northern California. He is the author of several books, and has given many lectures at spiritual retreats.

Book Details

  • Paperback: 300 pages
  • Publisher: Devi Mandir (April 2001)
  • ISBN-10: 1887472827
  • ISBN-13: 978-1887472821
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds

Book Reviews

By A CustomerThis is a fascinating book which shows the effect of the divine call on the person who follows it. It shows how each of us can approach life with a different understanding of why we are here, which can lead to a different way of living life. The book starts with a description of each of their lives, and how they came to develop and understand their calling. The facts of Shree Ma’s life sound barely believable, especially the fasting for three years, but it is interesting to see her family’s terrified reaction to her dramatic spiritual emergence. The book integrates and explains many Hindu concepts and words in a meaningful way and explains their connection to other spiritual belief systems. The interview with Satyananda shows him to be highly developed intellectually as well as spiritually and emotionally, and as a westerner he seems to be able to speak to my western need for explanations.

By Jamie Burton, LondonThis book is a page-turner. I could not put it down once I began from the mundane to the highest teachings on spirituality its got it all!

By Ruchi Agarwal, Chicago

What a beautiful introduction to Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda. If you read Shree Maa: Life of a Saint and Sahib Sadhu, you will be delighted to read this book and actually hear these great souls speak frankly on all topics well, I did and I really loved it!

By Jason Carpenter, New Haven

We usually see Saints give spiritual discourses that are sublime and beautiful and then we come back to our life with its little and big worries and joys and sorrows. It is hard for me to connect the spiritual talks with my little life yet, that is exactly what I found in this book practical teachings about every day concerns teachings that help us to bring God into every moment of our life and make our life divine. It is a really important book for all people who seek to keep divinity alive in the midst of their seemingly endless responsibilities in the world.

By Dawn Robertson, Chicago

What a great book! I loved the advice that Shree Maa and Swamiji give about my concerns like how to organize my every day life, deal with my relationship, manage my work and family, do puja. The list is long, and the book talks about it all, and helped me profoundly!!! Two Thumbs Up!

By Manisha Chopra, Santa Cruz

I loved to learn more about the early life of Shree Maa and about Swami Satyananda Saraswati’s life. It is a great addition to their biographies and very inspiring.

By Deepak Chopra,
author of How to Know GodBefore Becoming This offers a unique and fascinating exploration of the teachings of two masters, one from the East and one from the West. Their give-and-take discussions of enlightenment and spiritual practices are insightful and joyful.

By Linda Johnsen,
author of Daughters of the GoddessThis book is amazing! I absolutely love it. Reading Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda humbly and candidly telling their stories was incredibly inspiring. This book is a valuable contribution to the spiritual literature of the world.

By James Baraz,
co-founder of Spirit Rock Buddhist Meditation Center

Before Becoming This is a rare glimpse into the mind and heart of a living saint. Steven Newmark’s conversations with Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda are refreshingly intimate and deeply wise. They offer the reader an understanding of the path of devotion that will inspire, challenge and fascinate.

By Diana von Welanetz,
author of Chicken Soup for the Soul CookbookBefore Becoming This is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read.