To make the fastest progress to knowing your eternal Self takes a combination of determination, instruction and practice. The combination of these texts should give you a good background in your journey:
1. Man's Eternal Quest by Paramahansa Yogananda. 58 essays focussing on applying spiritual ideals to everyday living, rather than promoting particular practices from organized religion. These are not ordinary essays either, they are truly uplifting and inspiring because they are coming from a virtuous man; one who daily lived the greatest spiritual ideals. Read my summary here.
2. Integral Yoga Hatha by Sri Swami Satchidananda. The large print text includes 80 postures, proper breathing practices, relaxation, cleansing and concentration techniques. Suggestions for sequences of postures are included for beginner, intermediate and advanced students. Fully illustrated with photos. An all-inclusive guide to meditation and yoga. Read my summary here.
3. Meditation Lessons for Teens and Adults by Susan Kramer. I've included more than 70 offerings of basic and specific case meditations and prayers to give you tools for a life-time of stress reduction and spirituality. Read my summary here.
4. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda. Spiritual students can use the book as a self-paced course by taking time to write their developing understandings of the sutras in a journal for periodic review and reflection. My all-time favorite commentary for understanding the relationship of body, mind, soul. Read my summary here.
Article by Susan Helene Kramer
