Reviews (4)

So much depth in only 91 pages!
Richard Miller has masterfully packed this small yet rewarding book with lead after lead to self-realization. The book not only contains a careful stage-by-stage walk through of Yoga Nidra but also includes personal stories of experiences from his students that help illuminate the simple and precious beauty of self exploration contained within the practice. Miller's use of analogies and vivid, colorful, concise language weaves a connection between psychology and Eastern spiritual philosophy that creates a supurb introduction to Yoga Nidra. This book is crammed with depth and I recommend it for beginning and advanced practitioners alike! No matter what form of yoga or meditation you practice, this book will compliment your development as few other introduction books do. Enjoy!

Ok Introduction, Self Aggrandizing Author's Blurb
This little book with a cd is an ok introduction to yoga nidra.The guy who wrote it was a follower of advaita vedanta teacher jean klein and he uses a lot of jean klein's language, like "global listening" for a kind of mindfulness etc.This book does a nice job of explaining some of the theory behind yoga nidra, combining opposites, etc.
A wonderful book on meditation
With this gem of a book, Richard Miller beautifully unfolds the principles of Yoga Nidra in a fresh and accessible way. An ancient practice of meditation, Yoga Nidra leads one into an expansive self-awareness, and a meaningful connection with transcendent being. With the accompanying CD, Richard masterfully leads the listener deeper into a meditative experience of welcoming all that is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Hatha Yoga    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Meditation    7. Relaxation    8. Yoga    9. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (14)

Enthusiastically recommended
The Essence Of The Bhagavad Gita by Paramhansa Yogananda (The first Indian Yoga Master to establish his life work in the west) as remembered by his Disciple Swani Kriyananda (founder of Ananda Sangha) is an exhaustive explanation of the Bhagavad Gita, sacred text to Hindus worldwide, in terms accessible to lay readers and religious scholars alike. Introductory chapters walk the reader through the origin and allegory of the Bhagavad Gita, but the bulk of The Essence Of The Bhagavad Gita takes the sacred text passage by passage and explicates at length the literal, spiritual, allegorical, cultural and other implications. Written with particular care and clarification for readers who may be personally unfamiliar with ancient Indian history, Hindu belief tenets, and similar matters, The Essence Of The Bhagavad Gita is enthusiastically recommended for public and college library shelves, as well as the personal shelves of any reader curious about what Hindu holy men have to say about this classic sacred text.

this is a thrilling book!
I found The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita to be a wonderful book full of deep and practical insights into the spiritual life. This is a book to treasure and to refer to in times of need. The answers to many of the most perplexing spiritual questions are found throughout the book, and are easy to find due to the great index found in the back of the book. Written by a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, this book can guide you through life's challenges. I highly recommend it.

How to Win the Battle of Life
This commentary on the Gita makes deep spiritual truths clear and understandable. It's a how-to book on the most important subject of all: How to Win the Battle of Life! This treasure will not only give you a deeper understanding of the inner and outer battle, but is also extremely encouraging, making the highest spiritual realizations actually seem possible.
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Subjects:  1. Bhagavadgåitåa    2. Criticism, interpretation, etc    3. Hinduism    4. Hinduism (Sacred Texts)    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Spiritual Healing    8. Spirituality - General    9. Philosophy    10. Religion / Spirituality   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Movements - Humanism    3. Philosophical anthropology    4. Philosophy    5. Social Science    6. Social Sciences (General)    7. Sociology    8. Anthropology    9. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (6)

Business Applicability
My 5-person leadership team read the introduction to this book, each took the personality test, and discovered what "color" we were.Next, at an off-site leadership meeting, we discussed our color personality, which traits we thought fit and didn't fit, and how we could apply it to our communication and relationships at work.A month later, all our direct reports have also used the book to discover their personality color.In meetings where there is conflict, we remind each other of our personality colors and it helps us see other perspectives.Great book!

This Book is AWFUL, Nothing like what I expected!
I would have given this book a 0 star but it doesn't have that option.This is the WORST book I've ever read.It doesn't really explain things good and after reading it I do not believe that there are only 4 color personality types or whatever because I did not fit any color in that book at all.Don't waste your money.I thought it would be really good and I was really wrong.

Color Code is better and more detailed!
This book lacks detail.The Color Code is a better book to decipher personalities.The Color Code goes into detail about your personal color personality and how your personality relates to other color personalities.I felt that "What Color Is Your Personality?" was dismal.
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Subjects:  1. Chakras    2. Color    3. Miscellanea    4. Personality    5. Psychological aspects    6. Psychology    7. Self-Help    8. Typology (Psychology)    9. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    10. Popular psychology   

Reviews (12)

THIS BOOK TOUCHES MY SOUL
Inspiring and uplifting words are what you will find in this book! The title 'Metaphysical Meditations'doesn't seem to do justice to the beauty of this book, and yet, I don't know what words would. Also, another reason to not be put off by the title is that this book, in my opinion, crosses over and into all religions. You do not need be a follower of Paramahansa Yogananda or Self-Realization to reap the rich benefits of reading these meditations. An open mind and heart and love of God is enough.
Small but Mighty
This little book can be kept in pocket or purse. For decades I have known about its power to change the reader from darkness to light, from despair to hope, and from "give me" to "I give." Far ahead of its time, "Metaphysical Meditations" by the famous teacher Paramahansa Yogananda (Self-Realization Fellowship) will not disappoint. First published in 1932 by a teacher who sees positive similarities in many of the world's religions, this book urges the reader to actively pursue spiritual growth, self-love, love for others, kindness and positive thoughts for all our concerns. I love ya Yogananda, wherever your spirit is residing! Bless you!

Second only to Scripture!
This little book is so full of spiritual wisdom that I place it just short of scriptures such as the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita (both of which influenced the thought portrayed here). I have several copies of this book (car, work, home). Its perspective is a yogic one, but its truths are universally applicable. Paramahansa Yogananda is unique among so-called gurus in being one that truly walked his talk. There is advice for all areas of life and everything said is filled with love and moderation. You will find no book outside of scripture that has more spiritual bang for your buck, in my opinion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Devotional    2. General    3. Meditations    4. Philosophy    5. Religion    6. Spirituality - General    7. Hinduism   

Reviews (9)

The true saint
I grew up in India but never really got to know Gandhi until I read this book. It is the story of a man and how he grows into a saint - the force that got India its freedom.
enlightening, but convoluted
Fischer's recount of Gandhi's life does a satisfactory job of providing facts and commentary on the Father of Modern India.Though this book may seem more approachable, however, because it is considerably shorter than several other biographies (and indeed Gandhi's autobiography), the facts of Gandhi's life and the Indian Nationalism movement are presented anachronistically and often without sufficient context.Thus it is often difficult to have a complete understanding of where, when, how, and to whom Gandhi was applying his peaceful resistance techniques.
Great for fans and neophytes alike.
I find it a little odd that I just wrote in the title that people can be 'fans' of Gandhi.Like he is a rock star or famous model.But in essence that is what most people who admire influential people are.And I admit that I am a fan of Gandhi.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1869-1948    2. Asia - India    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Gandhi,    7. Historical - General    8. India    9. Mahatma,    10. Nationalists    11. Statesmen    12. Biography & Autobiography / Historical   

Reviews (3)

An Extraordinary Resource
Koans and stories of the deaths of Masters are scattered throughout the sacred texts of the East.This book is remarkable in that it brings those many stories together in one place.By focusing a book on the theme of "death stories", the stories illumine each other, and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.The stories reveal a wonderfully refreshing way to think about death (and hence, to think about Life!)Many are solemn, but some are quite humorous.In each, we see the presence of someone who embraces all of human experience, who says "Yes!" to all of Life, including death.Many of the Masters give one final gem of wisdom, summarizing their life's teaching, as their last word.The many photographs of the Masters are heart-warming.For anyone ready to think about death and mortality in terms of their spritual meaning, this book is ideal.Ironically, through looking at how the Masters die, we can implicitly understand their teaching on how to be ever more fully alive.

A most unusual book on spirituality
My favorite story was about the 97-year-old Zen nun Nogami Senryo who wanted to, and did, die standing up.What a great story!There are many little gems throughout the book, though it is kind of morbid and I couldonly read a page or so at a time.The stories from India are prettyfantastical and hard to believe, though.I found the afterward to bestunning, how Ms. Blackman discovered she had advanced lung cancer and wasgoing to die.It was the captstone of the whole volume.This book makessobering but good reading for anyone, even those who are in the bloom ofhealth and are young.

MUST READING FOR EVERYONE WHO IS GOING TO DIE
I read an excerpt of this book in a magazine and had to read the whole thing. The author,for reasons unknown to her,was compelled to collect death stories of Hindu,Buddhist and Zen masters.The stories she reports are awe inspiring.These men and women faced died with poise and courage, inspirations to all who must die. The book has a deeper message:Sushila Blackman was herself dying as she wrote the book.A trip to the emergency room while compiling the stories revealed that she wasn't suffering a mild heart attack as she thought.She was dying from incurable lung cancer.This is the story of a remarkable woman who used the material in this book to guide her own death.It gives me chills. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Death    4. Doctrines    5. Eastern - General    6. Hinduism    7. Philosophy    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Religious aspects    10. Philosophy / Eastern    11. Taoism   

Reviews (17)

Excellent starting point
I found this book very helpful in my efforts to become a yogi.The spiral binding makes it easy to references as you practice your poses.

Very helpful and easy to follow instructions.
I looked at several books before purchasingthis one.I was immediately impressed with the spiral binding which allows the book to be open next to you while you are learning the pose.The pictures are large and show multiple steps to reaching the pose.I also liked the "Take Care" instructions.I highly recommend this introduction to Yoga.

Clear Design.
This book has an excellent layout, intelligent design and great descriptions about the asanas and the specific benefits from each pose. I got this one for just 4 bucks on an Amazon sale and its much more worth than that. I'm just a beginner at Yoga and this book helped me get going! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. General    4. Hatha Yoga    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Stretching exercises    8. Yoga    9. Health & Fitness / Yoga   

Reviews (11)

Good Book for Beginners
I was introduced to Sivananda Yoga in May 06 by my Shiatsu masseuse.I had several sessions of Shiatsu for back pain relief.However, a few days after the session the pain returned.My masseuse told me that if I practiced Sivananda Yoga once a day it would significantly reduce my back pain.She covered the basic asanas with me in two sessions.I ordered "The Sivananda Companion to Yoga..." and "Yoga 101 Essential Tips".I began performing the asanas on my own using both books as my guide.They are easy to read and fully explain the asanas.
Beautiful book, complete, but approach with caution
This edition is a re-release of the 1983 edition.The only change I could clearly identify was the lay-out/design of the cover.
great buy
To my mind Sivananda is the perfect type of yoga-- just the right mix of spirituality, workout, stretching and relaxation all in one.I always feel fantastic afterwards!So when I moved and couldn't find a class in my area, I really missed it.Tried Ashtanga--too many pushups!Iyengar...so much time on alignment and never broke a sweat!Gym yoga class...how do they even call this yoga?So I got this book, and it basically took me right back to the classes I used to take at the Sivananda center on 24th St., minus the chanting and a few of the variations.I use it all the time.The poses are explained well, especially if you have practiced them in a class before, with lots of diagrams and pictures and they include plenty of variations.The quick reference chart is great to remind you what order things go in or if you just want a quick half-hour session.Also good advice on diet and meditation and yoga in general.Definitely worth it for me...it's one exercise book I actually use! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Hatha Yoga    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Yoga    8. Health & Fitness / Yoga    9. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    10. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (10)

Fab alternative stretch workout... except for all the yakking
The principle behind this yoga practice is similar to that of Yin yoga, where you hold poses for five minutes or more to stretch the connective tissue binding your organs and muscles. Connective tissue does not respond to bouncing stretches - only by holding a pose for five minutes or more will you be able to stretch it and get the chi to flow.
UNsoothing boot camp talk for GREAT workout
This is a very challenging and GOOD yoga session.However, the tone he sets is that you're in bootcamp, and to "tough it out", rather than, "release and breathe" - the POINT of doing these to begin with.He also grunts and groans in this CD - uh, kinda weird.I have Kest's other Power Yoga videos that I LOVE, among several others that I use, but I did not like this CD.Of course "Power" Ashtanga style yoga is meant to be vigorous and challenging, but yoga should ALWAYS be SOOTHING to the mind, which this CD is not.

Engrossing Session
I received this cd yesterday and started my day with it today. It was most engrossing and immediately created positive change in my body. The time went by quickly and it was hard to believe two hours had gone by. I will definitely improve with repeated use, but even 'out of the box' this session helped unkink many knots and much tension. By the penultimate asana, I was deep in another world.
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Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health & Fitness / Exercise    4. Health & Fitness / Yoga    5. Physical fitness    6. Yoga    7. Yoga, Hatha   

Reviews (7)

Ultimate Truth
This is the epitome and crux of Hindu philosphy. A must read for a person looking for ultimate truth and liberation. After knowing the truth presented in this book, there remains nothing to be read further. The author has done a super job of putting this great ancient work together.

The greatest of Indian Scriptures
Among the great scriptures of Indian spiritual thought, Yoga Vasistha is the the most beloved of mine. It is not a dry, wise and scholarly representation of Upanishadic thinking. It is a witty, surrealistic, out-of-mind story-telling to break the grip of one's logic-dominated mind. How to grasp with human mind what essentially is beyond it? Read it and either you will jump with joy or you will not understand anything beyond the stories. Are you ready? Or are you asleep with your eyes wide open?
Truth revealed through stories
This book is a dialogue between Sage Vasistha and Rama. Vasistha reveals the "Truth" to rama by narrating a series of stories. The book is divided into six major parts, each part consisting of several short stories.
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Subjects:  1. Doctrines    2. Early works to 1800    3. General    4. Hinduism    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Religious life    8. Yoga    9. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (13)

excellent introduction to kundalini yoga
I was very satisfied with this book.I own a lot of different introductory books about hatha yoga, and this is definitely one of the best.in addition to the exercies, it contains excellent explanations of the underlying concepts and fondational techniques,it doesn't just contain a bunch of poses or a few sets, but gives you a wide variety of exercise sets and meditations a long with descriptions of the benefits and purpose of each one.the book provides a great deal of flexibility and room for experimentation, which is extremely rare in a "beginner's text."the photographs and instructions are clear and of high quality, and the book provides a good introduction to the practices and lifetsyle of Yogi Bhajan's devotees.
The best book on kundalini yoga that I have come across.
I am responding to a review by chiara adina cerweny "chiaradina" (wellington, NZ), who has posted the exact same review for three different books on kundalini yoga. Obviously, this individual has a personal problem with kundalini yoga, calling it a cult and a money producing machine. I have practiced kundalini yoga for eleven years and as far as I can tell, it is not a cult. My yoga instructor has never encouraged me to join anything or buy anything. For me it is an enjoyable way to exercise, unwind, and rejuvenate.
know about 3HO, Rick Ross and Guru Bhajan
First, the book is nicley written and the exercises may or may not work. i noticed a rise in energy and old patterns coming up, might or might not be outcome of directed intent ... ( i do a lot of systems, from asthanga, hartha to martial arts and pilates) I immersed myself in kundalini yoga before i found out about who yogi bhajan, the founder of the system, truly is (a former taxi driver who feld from India and claims to have recieved these exercises from spirit after spending time in a cave. he founded kundalini yoga AFTER he couldn't make money in NY as a cab driver and arrived in LA, thrilled by the "mayan riches" of the upper - class society there. traditional sikh say what he does has nothing to do with their system and really put the emphasis on that he is a cheat. search the internet for information, especially sites from the rick ross institute http://www.rickross.com/reference/3ho/3hovisitor.html
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Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Exercise    3. Hatha yoga    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Kundalini    7. Kuònòdalinåi    8. Meditation    9. Yoga    10. Health & Fitness / Yoga    11. Mind and Body   

Reviews (2)

This is a Monumental Work of Beauty, Grace, Joy, Truth
Wow.This has to be one of the most important things I will have ever heard and I recommend it for these features ...
Beautifully done...Highly recommended
Listening to Deepak Chopra's resonating voice, accompanied by subtle background Indian sitar music, is a healing experience.Also, his brief explanations of the verses is illuminating.I find I frequently play the CDs while working or resting.It is even relaxing to play while cooking :-).
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Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Hinduism    3. Hinduism (Sacred Texts)    4. Inspirational - General    5. Personal Growth - General    6. Self-Help    7. Spiritual    8. Spiritual Healing    9. Spirituality - General    10. Unabridged Audio - Inspirational/Philosophy    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Popular psychology   

Reviews (7)

Kama Sutra by a Controversial Figure
I am not at all sure what readers are expecting from a thousand-year-old document like the Kama Sutra with such remarks below calling the work "outdated" or asking for an edition replete with erotic art. Fundamentally, "Kama Sutra" is a historical document. This is not a mere catalogue of sexual positions. It is a survey of sexual behavior in the region now known as India. It is the product of an India in which sex was as much a part of spirituality as yoga or meditation. When Vatsyayana composed his work, he was speaking within the context of a society that held notions about sexuality that may seem foreign, bestial, mysogynistic, sadistic, and bizarre to us with our modern conceptions. All of this is manifest in this work, and thus we must view it in such a context.
Unsound
This is an unsound work like other Indology texts of Wendy's, as has been shown by Michael Witzel.

Unsound
Wendy Doniger has joined hands with Sudhir Kakkar (who knows no Sanskrit and one wonders how he could have been of any help) and produced another unsound translation of an Indian text. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asian - Indic    2. Eastern - General    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. General    6. Human Sexuality    7. Love / Sex / Marriage    8. Sexuality    9. BCE to c 500 CE    10. Health & Fitness / Sexuality    11. Hinduism    12. Literary studies: classical, early & medieval    13. Literature/English | World Literature | India    14. Oriental & Indian philosophy    15. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    16. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (12)

excellent
I was suprised to find that there are postures not included in this book. The photographs are clear enough. There is no instruction. I suppose as an adjunct to some other material it is of great value. The one concern I have is about the durablility of the book itself. Since it is rather thick with a lot of pages, it might be worthwhile to purchase the hardcover edition instead.

Beautiful
Asanas collects 608 of black-and-white photographs, each accompanied by the English name of the pose and the Sanskrit characters, brief commentary, and specific combinations for Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Iyengar practice. There are suggestions for beginning, intermediate, and advanced yoga practitioners, as well as a list of poses beneficial for particular health problems and chakra relationships. Because it builds on basic postures, Asanas will appeal to students of any of the 100 yoga styles.This would make a wonderful gift for anyone who is interested in yoga.

Look elsewhere
I contemplated purchasing this online, but decided to take a look at it in a bookstore.I'm glad I did.If you're interested in learning yoga poses, look elsewhere.Even if you're after a book that captures the beauty and art of yoga, look elsewhere.The photos looked grainy and the book is so short and fat that it won't lie flat.Keep shopping. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Hatha Yoga    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Healthy Living    6. Pictorial works    7. Yoga    8. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (17)

Essential Owners Manual
This is simply the best book on working with the aura and charkas that I have found. People will often tell you at the beginning of a meditation, yoga, chakra balancing class, or any other "new age" class to ground and center yourself but very few tell you how. They assume you know. So we begin by looking around the class and trying to imitate what the others are doing. Karla actually gives you practical techniques to center and ground yourself that you can do anywhere, even in traffic, or in the middle of a boring (or frustrating or irritating) staff meeting. You will be better able to focus and no one need know that you are doing it.
Your Aura and Your Chakras
In this book I learned a lot about releasing old thoughts and breaking unconsciously made vows and agreements. I would wake up in the middle of the night and early morning breaking them. This was a great way for me to release alot of baggage in a quick effective way. The only criticism I have of the book is that it seemed like the author had some heavy opinions about life that could have been left out.

More information on her current views
Karla is trying to bridge the gap between what she sees as two cultures.It's true that she's no longer a believer in many aspects of new age thinking, but it's not like she's suddenly switched religions and now rejects everything she used to believe.She argues that critical thinking and scientific method are valuable, and need to be brought into the New Age world-view. Read more

Subjects:  1. Aura    2. Chakras    3. Miscellanea    4. New Age    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Parapsychology - ESP (Clairvoyance, Precognition, Telepathy)    7. Complementary Medicine    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Parapsychology, psychic powers, ESP   

Reviews (7)

Very Beneficial
I worked with the exercises in this book alongside traditional psychotherapy recently, and my therapist was suprised how much progress I quickly made. This workbook gives another aproach to mental health that is spiritually aligned, whatever your religious or spiritual background. The exercises are interesting, useful, and very relevant to what the rest of the book teaches. The authors give many different tactics to approach a problem, which I found useful, and their explanations of the chakra system was consitant with other texts I have read. They arrange things easily and plainly, without over-complicating the subject. This book provides a great reference that I've used again and again, and as a workbook, it allows you to use it directly in your life. The yoga stuff in the book could have been improved--I'm not familiar with Yoga and found it hard to do the physical exercises in the book.

Great Book on Chakras for the Novice
This was among the first books I have read on the Chakra system that gets straight to "the point" and offers practical exercises for achieving results as it relates to the activation and management of Chakra points. However, with that said, this book omits all but the most essential "background" information about the various Charkras themselves. It is perhaps best studied along with another book with more information (Anodea Judith's other book, WHEELS OF LIFE, for example). Since you're likely to obtain results here, you want a better idea of what you are getting into than this book alone will provide! New Age, New Age, New Age. . .
I began to read this book and put it away thinking that I was having a bad day and was not open and receptive. A few weeks later I picked it up again and continued to read it hoping that I might be open to its message. Again, I was not impressed on my second attempt although I felt a bit more open than on my first reading. I am not an expert in chakras but I am doing a good deal of reading in the subject lately. What I am learning is that chakras in the west are predominately cloaked in "New Age rhetoric" and chakras from the east (India, Vedic, Yoga) are centered in reality, not real (tangible), but real (cultural). If you are comfortable in the "New Age", then this book is for you. You will find the terminology and phrases right in line with typical "New Age" subject matter. If you are looking for a real (cultural) definition and or therapy you might want to look elsewhere. Chakras are subtle energy pathways that are an intricate part of Yoga practice (Yoga in its entirety).Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Chakras    3. Healing - General    4. Metaphysical Phenomena - General    5. Miscellanea    6. New Age    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Fitness & diet   

Reviews (6)

Meditation Demystified
Yogananda was a master teacher. In this book he gives one of the simplest guides to meditation. Going inward allows you to taste the bliss of inner peace.
A magnificent printing of timeless inspiration
This little gem of abook is an ideal gift of peace.Universal, soul-satisfying insights and comforts from the great yoga master who founded Self-Realization Fellowship.For the sincere spiritual seeker here are the fundamentals common to all true religions and spiritualities.For the average person in modern society, here is comfort and relief from the alienation and distress of our material cultures. A magnificent printing of timeless inspiration
This little gem of abook is an ideal gift of peace.Universal, soul-satisfying insights and comforts from the great yoga master who founded Self-Realization Fellowship.For the sincere spiritual seeker here are the fundamentals common to all true religions and spiritualities.For the average person in modern society, here is comfort and relief from the alienation and distress of our material cultures.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Eastern - Gurus    3. Hinduism    4. Inspirational - General    5. Peace    6. Religion    7. Religious aspects    8. Spiritual life    9. Spirituality - General    10. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    11. Worship   

Reviews (9)

Response to Randy LeJeune: "Great Book But Why Only 1/3...?"
Couldn't be improved upon. — In response to Randy LeJeune ofBaton Rouge, LA: "But why stop at chapter six when the Gita has eighteen chapters? I don't get it. It's not finished. As good as what he has translated is, it would be great if he had completed the job." — It WAS completed, but was not to be released until such time as was found to be appropriate according to the progress of meditators or world consciousness or both – I don't know which. The eighteen chapters of the Gita may be grouped according to each set of six chapters. Each set describes life in different stages of human development. Chapters one through six talk about progression from Transcendental to Cosmic Consciousness, chapters seven through twelve describe evolution from Cosmic to God Consciousness, and the final six chapters of thirteen through eighteen delineate human progress from God Consciousness to Unity Consciousness – the supreme human achievement. Beyond Unity, is Brahman Consciousness. But since this necessitates vibrating outside of the human nervous system, there is no human method of describing or validating it. So as Maharishi says: "Don't worry about it." As poor luck would have it, someone stole the remaining 12 chapters from Charlie Lutes in whose possession and safe keeping it was supposed to remain by not returning the manuscript after borrowing it from him. There is no additional copy of the original manuscript and no intention so far as I know of (circa 1994) that Maharishi ever intends to rewrite the missing chapters.

A Happy Ending to a Long Search
Several years ago I read one of the many translations available of the great classic, The Bhagavad-Gita.I was deeply moved by its beauty and by the ring of truth it conveyed.But it left me frustrated. I wanted to know how I could experience for myself the great truths of life and living presented in this luminous wok of literature.I wanted to be able to live my life with equanimity and balance amidst all the pairs of opposites in life, and I wanted to attain the higher states of human consciousness alluded to in the text.Nothing was mentioned that could point me in the direction of realizing these goals.Nor could I find any translations or commentaries of the Gita that offered a practical means for experiencing the kind of transformation its message promised.