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.