We are fortunate to hold in our hands a rare autobiographical treasure about the guru-disciple relationship, written by an author and spiritual teacher who has dedicated her life to the work of her teacher, Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Following his instructions, Swami Sivamurti came to Greece in the 1970s and has since been spreading the work of this great sage of the 20th century in the West. The penetrating insight of a modern woman trained in Western standards provides a very important testimony to the deep connection developed in this relationship, as well as to its purely spiritual character. It is proven that the guru-disciple relationship concerns all people who seek the true nature of their existence, regardless of their gender, age, or origin. In this book, Swami Sivamurti, Yogacharya (Master of Yoga), a modern yogini, describes the discipleship and the role of the guru and refers to the trials and deep experiences the seeker undergoes during their training on the spiritual path. She answers a wide range of questions about this relationship and refers to lesser-known and sensitive aspects of it, which only a disciple who has lived it deeply and completely can know. As the reader goes through the pages of the book, they feel as if they are in the living presence of the teacher and being guided by them. Swami Sivamurti Saraswati grew up and studied in Australia. In 1975, her spiritual quest led her to India, where she met her guru, Swami Satyananda Saraswati. After being trained under his guidance in various branches of yoga and the tradition of sannyasa, she was initiated into the Dashnami order.   In 1976, her teacher assigned her to bring the teachings of Satyananda Yoga from India to Greece. The following year, she founded the first yoga center in Kalamata, and due to great response, she established three more Satyananda Yoga meditation centers in Athens, Paiania, and Thessaloniki. In 1977, she created the Satyanandasram, the first ashram in Europe, a non-profit association, now recognized both in Greece and internationally for its training in authentic yoga and its charitable work. Over the last four decades, she has inspired the founding of numerous independent centers throughout Greece, and under her guidance, hundreds of instructors have been trained in the Satyananda yoga system.   In 2017, inspired by Swami Sivamurti, the AMBA Social Cooperative Enterprise, known as SATYANANDA MATH-Amba, was established to offer help, support, and joy to our less privileged fellow humans. In 2007, she created the women's yoga groups of the Satyananda system, aiming to cultivate the inherent qualities in every woman. In 2014, she founded the Association of Greek Yoga Instructors trained in the Satyananda system to ensure the authenticity and high quality of the teachings.   In 1993, she was recognized as Yogacharya (Master of yoga) by the International Yoga Fellowship Movement, and in 2004, she received the title of Permanent Guardian of the Satyananda Yoga Academy Europe and Emissary of the Bihar School of Yoga.   Alongside the work she offers in Greece, Swami Sivamurti Saraswati has authored many books.

Travels around the world leading programs on yoga and encouraging modern individuals to manage their minds and life's challenges with the main tools of yoga, meditation, and the cultivation of awareness