Hinduism Books - Page 5

The Law of Success: Using the Power of Spirit to Create Health, Prosperity, and Happiness

Paramahansa Yogananda

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

NOT FULLY SATISFACTORY TEACHINGS TO ME 1 out of 5 stars.
11 of 60 people found this review helpful.

LOCAL COLOR IN IT. Over 50 years ago the Hindu swami held talks and exhortations in sunny California, where vegetarianism is largely easier than near the North Pole among Eskimos and whales, to be sure. This is to say all his points or guidelines do not suit anybody - far from it. They are not perfectly universal, that is.

OTHER TIMES, OTHER CUSTOMS. Further, he adjusted to the minds of those who came to see and hear him; not a few of them were middle-class American ladies from back then. Times have changed, that's what I seek to tell ye.

FAILED YOGANANDA PROJECTS. A rather revealing sidelight to me was the online information that some project Yogananda went heavily into and headed, failed, even though he spoke very friendly that his will was "indomitable" in other places. Included among his marred projects were a children's school or something similar where his headquarters is now, and a publishing scheme he invited to in his magazine.

COMPARE LIFE AND TEACHINGS. And this is to say: a little comparison between what the guru said and what the guru failed in, may be beneficial too, not to all, but it should be to many.

LOCAL APPLICATIONS LOST. Inspirational talks that don't take into account differing conditions and hard times, and hence do not fit in LOCALLY, may not be of any help to those of harsh conditions.

ADDITIONAL MENTION. Besides, a brief booklet-book of this size does not include many of the hundreds and thousands of success principles you may find in "Better Management" books nowadays.

Editorial Review:

The faster the world moves, the more important it becomes to slow down and look within for what makes us truly happy. If you measure success by the quality of your life rather than just by material achievements, then the timeless wisdom of this book will speak directly to your heart and soul. For more than fifty years, this classic inspirational guide has helped hundreds of thousands of people to move through obstacles and invite all-round success fully into their lives.
Filled with sensible down-to-earth wisdom, The Law of Success explores the spiritual sources of creativity, positive thinking, and dynamic will, as well as the success-producing power of self-analysis and meditation. It shows how each one of us can naturally attract happiness an harmony.

The Holy Science

Swami Sri Yukteswar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Religious astrology and unfolding of great knowledge 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Swami Yukteswar is a great philosopher whose life is uniquely divine. He brings an unprecedented truth that we are not in Kali Yuga (the "dark" age). It is interesting to read his hypothesis on four ages of human civilization. His knowledge on "sanatan" scriptures is remarkable. Although a thin book, The Holy Science requires hours of reiteration to understand his intrinsic message. It is interesting to realize that Sri Yukteswar was not only advanced in spiritual world but also he was superior in numerical interpretations and logical analysis.

Editorial Review:

This extraordinary treatise explores parallel passages from the Bible and the Hindu scriptures to reveal the essential unity of all religions. Swami Sri Yukteswar is renowned as the revered guru of the great pioneer of yoga in the West, Paramahansa Yogananda (author of Autobiography of a Yogi). In this remarkable work - composed in the year 1894 at the request of the great Indian sage, Mahavatar Babaji - Sri Yukteswar outlines the universal path that every human being must travel to enlightenment. He also explains the vast recurring cycles of history - the yugas that mark the upward ascent of human consciousness over millenniums - amid the ever-changing panorama of turbulent world events.

The Only Dance There Is

Ram Dass

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The Dance Of Life 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

A wonderful thing happened on April 6, 1931. Richard Alpert was born. Years later, he was essentially reborn as Ram Dass, and, as they say, the rest is history. His wonderful talks in the early 1970's at the Menninger Foundation and Spring Grove Hospital are the heart of this book. His transformation from a Harvard psychologist to the first American Guru have been well documented. Ram Dass is the real McCoy, the genuine article. He was a pioneer of 20th century spirituality and the major voice for new age wisdom.
"The Only Dance There Is" is a favorite of mine. I still have my original marked up 1974 copy that I can't imagine that I'll ever part with. It is a treasure. Ram Dass is the master storyteller of this lifetime, and most of his books contain very quotable stories that will have an impact on you. I use many of his stories when writing my own books. Ram Dass has been a mentor of mine and he has enriched my life with his books, including this one.

Editorial Review:

This book is based on talks by Ram Dass at the Menninger Foundation in 1970 and at the Spring Grove Hospital in Maryland in 1972. The text grew out of the interaction between Ram Dass and the spiritual seekers in attendance at these talks. The result of this unique exchange is a useful guide for understanding the nature of consciousness--useful both to other spiritual seekers and to formally trained psychologists. It is also a celebration of the Dance of Life--which, in the words of Ram Dass, is the "only dance there is."

Tantra: Path of Ecstasy

Georg Feuerstein

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A 'primer' coat of many colors 5 out of 5 stars.
25 of 26 people found this review helpful.

Feuerstein has done the English-speaking world a genuine service with this introduction to Tantra, suited especially to the casual intelligent reader. This is not suited to those interested in an anthropological, historical, or how-to approach (see reviews below for more details); instead, Feuerstein covers the basic topics in a rather plain-vanilla fashion. Feuerstein's first positive task is to dispell certain commercial flapdoodle still current in our fabulously corporate culture about tantra imagined as a kind of low-tech Orgasmatron (thanks, Woody Allen). He then gives a very straightforward (if oversimplified) explication of tantric history and practice germain to both Buddhists and Hindus on topics such as mantra and the guru. (Yes, I'm aware that tantra is both Buddhist and Hindu, and neither Buddhist nor Hindu.) Now, what Feuerstein has accomplished is no mean task. He writes with the detail of of a scholar and the credibility of a practitioner.

One may ask why book-learning is needed in this context, if tantra is a path of energy and relationship. Well, there is a genuine danger, after all, in not knowing what you're talking about:

"Someone with insufficient knowledge resembles a maimed person trying to climb a rock,
Someone who studies scriptures for the sake of becoming a scholar
Is like someone who searches for lethal weapons.
In short, if you do not know your own tradition,
How will you, a blind person lost in the middle of a vast plain, ever find your path?"
(The great tantric master, Padgyal Lingpa.)

Editorial Review:

Tantra—often associated with Kundalini Yoga—is a fundamental dimension of Hinduism, emphasizing the cultivation of "divine power" (shakti) as a path to infinite bliss. Tantra has been widely misunderstood in the West, however, where its practices are often confused with eroticism and licentious morality. Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy dispels many common misconceptions, providing an accessible introduction to the history, philosophy, and practice of this extraordinary spiritual tradition. The Tantric teachings are geared toward the attainment of enlightenment as well as spiritual power and are present not only in Hinduism but also Jainism and Vajrayana Buddhism. In this book, Georg Feuerstein offers readers a clear understanding of authentic Tantra, as well as appropriate guidance for spiritual practice and the attainment of higher consciousness.

The Essentials of Hinduism: A Comprehensive Overview of the World's Oldest Religion

Swami Bhaskarananda

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Essentials of Hinduism 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

The title of the book says it all. Even though the book is only about 200 pages it is EXTREMELY dense with information. Much more information than than I had anticipated when I ordered the book.

If you are interested in learning about Hinduism this is the book to get.

Great reading material for those just starting. 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

"The Essentials of Hinduism: A Comprehensive Overview of the World's Oldest Religion" by Swami Bhaskarananda covers all of the basics in a simple and organized manner, first posing common questions about Hinduism, and then providing clear and concise answers. The book does an excellent job of explaining some of the more abstract ideas and concepts within the Hindu belief. I would recommend this book to those who are only familiar with "Western" attitudes towards religion, as the author offers insightful analagies that allow comprehension to even the most confused reader. A wonderful overview for the beginner, however, not for those more versed within the Hindu realm.

Editorial Review:

This book gives clearly written explanations of the basic ideas and practices of Hinduism and its culture. It answers so many questions—Do the Hindus worship many gods? Are the Hindus idol worshippers? What is the purpose of life? What are Hinduism's spiritual practices?—and so on, covering the most mundane to the most profound ideas and questions of Hinduism.

The Upanishads: Breath of the Eternal

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Reality 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 10 people found this review helpful.

The Atman is the Soul. It is our real Self, God residing within us. We are to submerge the ego, and discover the Atman (Self). Uncovering the Self leads to nirvana, or enlightenment. This is the essence of this book. We will differentiate between what is Real (unchanging)and what is illusory (changeable). And as Jesus said, the Truth will set you free ...

Good 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I used to think that for reason Upanishads were huge texts, but author explained that upanishads are found in the end of vedas. It is beauty piece of work. when they are not sure, they will have a footnote and tell you that what could the other translation could have meant. It only happened 2-3 times. They are very enlightening. Brahman (God) is everywhere, literally. =)

My favorite - the most beautiful sacred text I've ever read 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I was talking to my brother-in-law's father about favorite spiritual books. He's been a dedicated meditator for decades.

I carry a copy of this Upanishads translation in my shoulder bag always. I pulled it out and asked, "Do you read these ?"

He chuckled with bright eyes and said, "Oh, I can't read those. They just make me meditate." He went on to explain that after only a page or two he spontaneously slips into meditation.

My experience is quite similar. It's as if this volume speaks directly to my Spirit, navigating its way through my critical mind to the essence of my inner Divine. It brings me peace, it fills me with faith, it melts my fears. I meditate easily after just a few sentences sometimes.

To me the Spirit is so profoundly expressed in here that I have no trouble with dogma or rhetoric, with symbolism or mythology. To me this translation serves as an invitation from the ancient mystics to join them. I can feel the Spirit welcome me.

This is less a review and more a personal experience. That's what this book is all about, though ~ a guidebook to direct personal experience of Spirit.

It's a frantic world we live in, fast and busy and complex. I find that this wonderful translation can help lead me to a stillness within, to a unity with all that is, to a feeling and understanding and connection with the magic of life.

What brought you here to this page ? Perhaps you seek a deeper spiritual connection with your inner Divine. I can only tell you my own story. I don't read this for scholarly theology. I read this as a guide for my journey within. This book brings me to my home, to my heart. I can't remember when I bought it, but the price on the cover says $2.95. It has held up wonderfully, and is the best three bucks I ever spent, hands down. I'm buying several extras to give and lend to those I love.

Welcome.

Editorial Review:

One of the two most important texts of the Hindu religion, The Upanishads are ancient accounts of mystical revelations and remain the primary source of spiritual guidance for millions of believers today.

Darsan: Seeing the Divine Image in India

Diana L. Eck

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Solid introduction to the concept of Hindu iconography and related ritual experience 5 out of 5 stars.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.

Diana Eck is a wonderful scholar who has written several great books on Hinduism. Darsan (or "darshan," if you're transliterating it simply for an English-speaking audience) is a wonderfully simple introduction to Hindu iconography and the related ritual experience, a subject that is overwhelmingly broad and often unwieldy.

If you are an undergraduate studying Eastern religions, a graduate student new to Hinduism, a Western devotee wanting better cross-cultural knowledge of how to respectfully relate to your chosen god or goddess as Hindus do, or a curious layperson wanting to know more about the Hindu religious experience and what all the images and rituals are about, this is a great book for you to begin with. This slim volume doesn't go into elaborate depth, but covers a lot of ground and introduces many key terms in a very readable way, and is a useful introductory work.

A Profound Book 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This book was my introduction to Hinduism, given to me by a friend following my first personal experience with darsan and Hindu devotion. It is a stunningly clear and subtle book, offering a careful, complex discussion of the unique nature of the Hindu conception of the divine. I read it then in 3 days and am rereading it now as a student of Hinduism, looking forward to seeing this great book from a new perspective.

Editorial Review:

-- Religious Studies Review

Awakening into Oneness: The Power of Blessing in the Evolution of Consciousness

Arjuna Ardagh

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Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A fascinating discovery in southern India has caught the attention of celebrities, government leaders, spiritual teachers from every tradition, and millions more. It is the phenomenon called "deeksha," a powerful transfer of energy scientifically shown to alter brain states--and believed to elicit the realization of unitive consciousness. Awakening into Oneness: Deeksha and the Evolution of Consciousness tells the remarkable story of this radical new gateway to personal and global transformation. From the mystical children who first experienced deeksha nearly two decades ago to its continuing exploration at Oneness University under the guidance of esteemed teachers Sri Bhagavan and his wife Sri Amma, Arjuna Ardagh shares dozens of firsthand accounts of deeksha's life-changing effects on individuals from all over the world. "Deeksha is something few will be able to ignore in the years ahead," he writes. "It has proven to be the fastest growing spiritual development in living memory." What is it about deeksha that has ignited the hearts of so many? The answer can be found in Awakening into Oneness.

Science of Breath

Yogi Ramacharaka

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Review by former physiology Teaching Fellow and yoga practioner 5 out of 5 stars.
21 of 21 people found this review helpful.

This is an excellent beginning book on breathing for anyone who is interested in yoga. It covers the importance of breathing, basic respiratory physiology and the relationship between science and yoga.

The authors of this book are credible and have excellent professional credentials and established practices. They are associated with the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA that has a long standing commitment to getting science, modern psychology and yoga together. Many of their publications are excellent and certainly this one is as well.

I think any yoga practioner at any level will benefit from this book and even very experienced people will learn a lot. As the title suggests, this book focuses on the practical aspects of breathing and provides a good foundation or launching point for moving on to pranayama practice. However, the value add is the tie in to modern science.

As part of my living, I do workshops on such topics as meditation, pranayama and biofeedback, loving-kindness practices and other topics that integrate East and West. Before becoming involved in psychology and spirituality, I was both a research scientist and Teaching Fellow in Physiology. While I am not an expert at respiratory physiology or a top pranayama practioner, I have an established yoga practice and enough expertise to judge the merit of this book.

If you are serious about the breath and especially about pranayama, I would pick up "Light on Pranayama" by B.K.S. Iyengar. This book is very comprehensive and covers the physiology of the various breathing practices in great depth. If you are looking at breating for relaxation, you may also want to consider some of the meditation resources listed on my listmania lists. I also have a yoga resource list that might be helpful for those interested in pranayama. Another book in the pranayama vein that is quite popular is "The Yoga of Breath" by Richard Rosen.

In summary, this is a good book on the basics of breathing as a foundation for a yoga practice. It provides the basic concepts required to move on to more advanced breathing techniques such as pranayama.

Editorial Review:

In this chapter we will give you briefly the theories of the Western scientific world regarding the functions of the respiratory organs, and the part in the human economy played by the breath. In subsequent chapters we will give the additional theories and ascertained facts of the Oriental school of thought and research. The Oriental accepts the theories and facts of his Western brothers (which have been known to him for centuries) and adds thereto much that the latter do not now accept, but which they will in due time "discover" and which, after renaming, they will present to the world as a great truth.

Suns of God: Krishna, Buddha and Christ Unveiled

Acharya S

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Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Picking up where the bestselling and controversial "The Christ Conspiracy" leaves off, "Suns of God" leads the reader through an electrifying exploration of the origin and meaning of the world's religions and popular gods. Over the past several centuries, the Big Three spiritual leaders have been the Lords Christ, Krishna and Buddha, whose stories and teachings are curiously and confoundingly similar to each other. The tale of a miraculously born redeemer who overcomes heroic challenges, teaches ethics and morality, performs marvels and wonders, acquires disciples and is famed far and wide, to be persecuted, killed and reborn, is not unique but a global phenomenon recurring in a wide variety of cultures long before the Christian era.

These numerous godmen were not similar "historical" personages who "walked the earth" but anthropomorphizations of the central focus of the famous "mysteries." A major element of the cryptic, international brotherhood, these mysteries extend back thousands of years and are found worldwide, reflecting an ancient tradition steeped in awe and intrigue. The reasons for this religious development, which has inspired the creation of entire cultures, are unveiled in this in-depth analysis containing fascinating and original research based on evidence both modern and ancient, captivating information kept secret and hidden for ages.

"Suns of God" is possibly the most complete review of the history of religion from its inception ever composed in a single volume.