Best of
Hinduism

2010

Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogi's Autobiography


Sri M. - 2010
    His uniqueness lies not only in the fact that at the young age of 19 and a half, he travelled to snow clad Himalayas from Kerala, and there he met and lived for several years with a ‘real-time’ yogi, Babaji, but also that he should undertake such an unusual and adventurous exploration, given his non-Hindu birth and antecedents.The metamorphosis of Mumtaz Ali Khan into Sri ‘M’, a yogi with profound knowledge of the Upanishads and deep personal insights, born of first hand experiences with higher levels of consciousness is indeed a fascinating story.The bonus for those interested in the secrets of yoga, meditation and sankhyan metaphysics is that Sri ‘M’ is still living and easily reachable. He leads a normal life, married with two children, wears no special robes and conducts himself without pomp or paraphernalia.Someone who met him recently said, “I expected a flashy godman and instead I saw a jean clad gentleman with a smile of his face, ready to discuss my problems. In five minutes flat, I said to myself, this is no ordinary man. The peace and tranquility that enters your system is tangible”.

Chants of a Lifetime: Searching for a Heart of Gold


Krishna Das - 2010
    Since 1994, the sound of his voice singing traditional Indian chants with a Western flavor has brought the spiritual experience of chanting to audiences all over the world. He has previously shared some of his spiritual journey through talks and workshops, but now he offers a unique book-and-CD combination that explores his fascinating path and creates an opportunity for just about anyone to experience chanting in a unique and special way.Chants of a Lifetime includes photos from Krishna Das’s years in India and also from his life as a kirtan leader—and the CD that is offered exclusively in the book consists of a number of “private” chanting sessions with the author. Instead of just being performances of chants for listening, the recordings make it seem as if Krishna Das himself is present for a one-on-one chanting session. The idea is for the listener to explore his or her own practice of chanting and develop a deepening connection with the entire chanting experience.

Breath of the Absolute: Dialogues with Mooji - The Manifest and Unmanifest Are One


Mooji - 2010
    Of all the subjects debated within the scope of human interest, the one undisputed fact is that we exist. What is not questioned is: As what do we exist? In this book, Mooji will push your mind beyond conceptual bickering into the pulsating clarity of the Unthinkable."The words in this book, emanating from Silence, are an act of living grace. When Consciousness speaks, that which speaks and that which listens are One. There's no seeker, no beloved. Only... Pure Awareness flowing as Love." - Pamela Bloom, Author of The Power of Compassion"The two people in whom I have most experienced the presence of what we call the Divine are His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mooji." - Isabel Losada, Broadcaster and Internationally Bestselling Author of The Battersea Park Road to Enlightenment

Hanuman: The Devotion and Power of the Monkey God


Vanamali - 2010
    As a monkey, he symbolizes the ever-restless human mind. He teaches us that, though everyone is born an animal, anyone can attain the heights of spiritual evolution through perseverance and ardent discipline. Having perfected his mind through bhakti (selfless devotion) to obtain his powers, Hanuman embodies the highest potential we can achieve. In this book, Vanamali recounts 36 legendary Hanuman stories--from his birth to his adventures in the Ramayana--and reveals the spiritual lessons, yogic practices, and Vedic astrology aspects they contain. Vanamali shows how Hanuman has the ability to bestow selfless devotion and strength to his devotees and that following his example is the surest path to attracting the blessing of Rama.

The Law of Attention: Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance


Edward Salim Michael - 2010
    Due to the circumstances of his birth, Michael had no education, no mother tongue, and no book learning when he was drafted at the age of 19 into the British Royal Air Force during World War II. After learning to read and write he became an accomplished classical composer in France. In 1949, after seeing a statue of a Buddha for the first time, he experienced a powerful awakening of his innate Buddha Nature, which inspired him to begin a sustained and extremely disciplined meditation practice. Michael abandoned his career as a composer and went to India, the home of his maternal grandmother, where he lived for seven years fully focused on his spiritual awakening. Michael’s spiritual teachings reveal techniques of yoga and meditation that can open the door to one’s higher nature and to directly experience the after-death state. Nada yoga (meditation on the inner sound) is one of the core techniques for this realization. There is a vast luminous consciousness already within us, but it is obscured by the clouds of our incessant thoughts. With sincerity, moral integrity, and inner vigilance, which, when embodied, implies that we have internalized the basic tenets of the law of attention, we can move beyond the promptings of our lower nature and break through the clouds of our ordinary mind to realize our own divine nature. Emphasizing inner attention and an awareness of attitude, Michael’s practices can help aspirants make direct contact with the divine source each of us unknowingly carries deep within.

Sri Rudram


Dayananda Saraswati - 2010
    The Book contains Sri Rudram,a hymn from the Vedas,the sacred book of the Hindus.Diving deeply into the book brings Isvara into one's life so that one comes out with namah on one's lips and Isvara in one's heart.

The Secret Garland: Antal's Tiruppavai and Nacciyar Tirumoli


Archana Venkatesan - 2010
    Two of the most significant compositions by a female mystic, the Tiruppavai and Nacciyar Tirumoli give expression to her powerful experiences through the useof a vibrant and bold sensuality, in which Visnu is her awesome, mesmerizing, and sometimes cruel lover. Kotai's poetry is characterized by a richness of language in which words are imbued with polyvalence and even the most mundane experiences are infused with the spirit of the divine. HerTiruppavai and Nacciyar Tirumoli are garlands of words, redolent with meanings waiting to be discovered. Today Kotai is revered as a goddess, and as a testament to the enduring relevance of her poetry, her Tiruppavai and Nacciyar Tirumoli continue to be celebrated in South Indian ritual, music, dance, and the visual arts.This book aims to capture the lyricism, beauty, and power of Kotai's original works. In addition, detailed notes based on traditional commentaries, and discussions of the ritual and performative lives of the Tiruppavai and Nacciyar Tirumoli highlight the importance of this ninth-century poet and hertwo poems over the past one thousand years.

The Crest-Jewel of Wisdom and other writings of Sankaracharya


Adi Shankaracharya - 2010
    The Crest Jewel of Wisdom is a practical and inspiring guide to life with its foundation stones of truth.

The Book of One: The Ancient Wisdom of Advaita


Dennis Waite - 2010
    His book aims to be practical, yet satisfying to the intellect, providing a simple framework within which the problems of life and death may be understood and resolved.

Giver of the Worn Garland: Krishnadevaraya's Amuktamalyada


Srinivas Reddy - 2010
    

Secret of Right Activity


Paramananda - 2010
    Swami Paramananda explains what right action (karma yoga) is and how it can enhance one's life.

Rama and Sita: Path of Flames


Sally Clayton - 2010
    Rama marries beautiful Sita, but Ravana, the 10-headed, 20-armed Demon King, falls in love with her too. He captures her and takes her in his chariot to the Demon Kingdom, Lanka. Rama has to find a way to rescue Sita, and he seeks the help of the monkey general Hanuman and the King of the Bears, and Jambuvan, the King of the Bears. Rama, his brother Lakshman and the band of monkeys and bears battle their way to the Kingdom of the Demons. They cross the sea by building a bridge, with the help of the fishes and sea creatures, and find Sita locked in Hanuman's tower, guarded by demonesses. After a final, terrible battle, the Demon King is defeated and Rama and Sita are reunited. The beautiful end to the story, telling how people put out lamps to light Rama and Sita's pathway home, is at the heart of the Hindu festival of Divali. in which earthen lamps - called divas - are lit, to celebrate the return of Rama after his exile and to mark the end of one year and the beginning of another.