The Four Yogas; the Four Paths to Spiritual Enlightenment

"The nature of science is well comprehended by man but not so well the characteristics of spirituality. The purpose of this book is to bring out the essential ideas centering around the word spirituality. The modern tendency in the West is to make a sharp distinction between Religion and Spirituality. Religion was a word which had a wide enough connotation, it included elements of spirituality within its sweep. But as it came to be recognized, there has been an evolution in religious ideas also. The use of the word religion is now being restricted to certain earlier aspects, and the word spirituality is used to denote the more evolved aspects. Science has been contributing to the material convenience and comfort of man. So steadily and in such progressive measure that we now live in a condition of physical ease, Incomparably, beyond that in which our forefathers did. Yet this has not increased our general happiness or brought us the inward joy of living. Indeed the failure of Science in the procurement of genuine joy has been as ignominious, yet it's success in the creation of artificial comfort has been wonderful. This is not a surprise. Peace, which is the basis of all real joy, can never be the fruit of the labors of Science. For Science works and can work only with the things of passing existence, the destructible materials of the physical plane; whereas the components of peace and joy are the permanent values of the essence of living- the spirit. This book will have served its purpose if it paves the way for a greater recognition of ethics and spirituality. The methods for the cultivation of spirituality, as advocated by the Sages of India, form the theme of this book. The Sanskrit passages quoted in the book give, so to say, the cream of spiritual science and practice. They are recommended for daily Parayanna. They will serve to keep in memory the principles and, what is more, give the devoted reader the need correctives in his spiritual practice".