A guide to mantra recitation for ecstatic states, spiritual liberation, and higher consciousness • Ideal for those looking to deepen the spirituality of their physical yoga practice • Offers detailed instruction on the practice of mahamantra yoga and exercises to improve one’s practice and move beyond rote chanting Based on a rich and ancient tradition revived more than five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in India, mahamantra yoga involves repeated recitation of a sacred phrase, such as the name of a deity, to anchor the mind and access ecstatic states, higher consciousness, and, ultimately, as you vibrate the holy names, the Divine presence in sound. Part of the bhakti devotional tradition, mahamantra yoga is considered the best path to self-realization in the current age, offering a doorway into the hidden recesses of our innermost being--the internal forest of the heart. Citing ancient Vedic texts and the insights of perfected mahamantra yogis, Richard Whitehurst reveals the methods of mahamantra yoga and his own profound experiences based on more than 20 years of intense practice. Using the core principles of this ancient tradition, he offers mental and physical exercises--such as how to coordinate the breath, vocal cords, and mouth--to move beyond rote chanting and pursue the practice consciously and joyfully. He explains how to overcome common obstacles to successful chanting as well as purification practices to intensify your efforts.

This book explores the ancient and deeper aspects of Mantric Ayurveda and the secrets of the ancient Tantric Tradition of Ayurveda that Mantra-Yoga forms an integral aspect of. Here one learns the traditional considerations before using mantras as well as special rituals for protection, energisation of deities, gemstones and working with the deities on an inner level for healing applications.

This book presents a series of lectures about the higher stages of human spiritual development. The lectures describe the methodologies of the main philosophico-religious traditions that existed in the past or exist now on the Earth. This material illustrates the fact that the methodology of spiritual de-velopment is one for all people and that in this way God leads all people to Perfection.

‘The Yoga Buzz’, a short weekly column in, the popular paper ‘Bahrain this Week, is a result of the author’s passion for the Science of Yoga and love of writing. The Yoga Handbook is an assimilation of some of her writings over the last five years. It has been conceptualized as ‘an easy read’ which gives relevant yet compact knowledge of Yoga. The content created in the book is with the aim of going through it as a page a or two a day, almost like ‘thoughts for the day.’ Apart from the philosophy and history of Yoga it covers about 60 cultural asanas, the essential breathing and cleansing techniques with an introduction to mudras, bandhas, shad chakras, meditation and the role of a yogic diet and its importance on one’s physical and mental health. There is no replacement for getting guidance from a competent teacher as one gets initiated into Yogic practices. This manuscript provides general information and techniques for expanding one’s knowledge and evolution for personal growth. Neelanjana Bharadwaj

Deepen your practice by learning the inner meaning of the asanas you practice, the slow, controlled breathing necessary for effective meditation, the power of sound in focusing the mind, how to improve your concentration, and how to connect every aspect of your practice to the Divine Source. Let Inner Yoga take you on a journey of self-discovery, exploring through yoga, the rich layers of consciousness in a warm, intimate, empowering journey inward.

The highest Meditationdescribes the Gayatri, the mantra which helps the higher man to be born in us all. Sant Keshavadas profoundly tells the meaning and many facets (water rites, sitting posture, time, atmosphere, breath controle, pronunciation of sacred sounds) of this ancient meditation. there are few books available on the Gayatri meditationin English. Professor T.K.Venkateswaran of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Detroit, praises Sant Keshavadas Work and States that if the Gayatri Mantra is understood, repeated, and meditated upon, in the manner in which it is presented in this book, it will illumine the intellect and produce the highest bliss, creativity, and success in the world.

Why do we do what we do? Isn’t everything we do, ultimately, to bring us happiness? Think about it. All our planning, all our actions, all our manipulations, all our accumulations, are so that we can just be happy. When we get what we want, really, how long does it last? Is there a way that we can be happy all the time? The drive to fulfill our desires, in practice, does not bring us lasting happiness; so, what can we do? There is one practice that is most essential in revealing the bliss of the Self—and that is meditation. This is the fundamental practice of mystics in all cultures that shows us the happiness that lies just behind the mind and shines its joyous radiance when the mind is at peace. If we will just spend some time every day in this sublime equanimity, we will get everything. The traditional path to the inner yoga of happiness, which is taught in yoga philosophy (Advaita Vedanta), is simply the practice of meditation. In this practice, we distill the inner caprice of thought down to simple stillness. As we get longer stretches of this stillness, we become acquainted with the fullness of our essential being. In this fullness arises spontaneous joy, contentment, and wisdom. This is the happiness that is always there in every moment. This book is a journal of clues along the way in the pursuit of enduring inner happiness, independent of outer circumstances. Also available from this author: Yoga Sutras: The Means to Liberation

This book provides a deeper insight into the Original Yoga system of India as per tradition and the true insights with regards to the Eight Limbs of Yoga, especially with regards to Asana (Posture), Dhyana (Meditation), Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) as also the Chakras and their relationship with the mind and states of consciousness. It shows how Yoga was originally an Integral system, not one merely reduced to classroom instruction. You will also find information regarding the deeper aspects of karma and how it can impact us on several levels beyond the individual level In addition, this book examines Yoga from the viewpoint of India's oldest texts, the Vedas, such as the Rig Veda and has a special section devoted to examples of the Vedic Yoga hymns that are largely ignored. Learn the levels of the mind and gunas in Yoga.

The classic Hatha yoga manual for a strong, vital, beautiful body and a balanced, harmonious, happy mind • Includes instructions for many advanced Hatha yoga exercises to build strength, stamina, and good posture, the necessary basis for spiritual development • Provides detailed exercise plans to help you develop your personal weekly practice • Explains traditional yogic methods of fasting and internal cleansing, practices to strengthen the endocrine system, methods for advanced sexual control, breath control practices, and concentration exercises to improve mind power Based upon ancient Sanskrit works on yoga as well as thousands of years of oral teachings, this Hatha yoga classic moves beyond the introductory level of yoga and provides illustrated instructions for many advanced asanas and other yogic techniques to build strength, stamina, and good posture--a necessary prerequisite for spiritual development. Offering detailed exercise plans to help you develop your personal weekly yoga practice as well as techniques to target specific areas of the body, such as the abdominal muscles, this book also contains detailed instructions on many forms of prânâyâma (breath control), including alternate nostril breathing, kapâlabhâti, and sahita, as well as meditative methods for developing your powers of concentration and mental discipline. With instructions on diet, fasting, internal cleansing, advanced sexual control, and strengthening the endocrine system, Sri S. S. Goswami’s classic text presents the complete picture of an advanced Hatha yoga lifestyle for a strong, vital, beautiful body and a balanced, harmonious, happy mind.

Translation and commentary of one of the most important texts of the Kashmirian Shivaism tradition of Tantra • Author was a student of the late Kalu Rinpoche • Explores the transmission of Mahamudra, the Great Cosmic Gesture • Includes the Vijnanabhaïrava Tantra, which contains the totality of the oldest source text on Yoga The Spandakarika, the "Tantric Song of the Divine Pulsation," is said to have been transmitted directly to the sage Vasugupta from the hands of Shiva on Mount Kailas. In his commentary on these fifty-two stanzas, the sage Ksemaraja described them as the heart of the Mahamudra. The oldest masters of Spandakarika viewed everything in the universe, including matter, as consciousness and created a yoga practice in accordance with this realization. The sacred dance of Yoga Spandakarika, Tandava, is extremely subtle and difficult, requiring thousands of hours of practice to master, yet it surpasses any other physical practice, allowing the practitioner to touch the divine inner pulse. Once its third stage has been mastered, the yogi or yogini is able to manifest the dance of Shiva in space, a tradition visible in the statuary of Tantric temples in India and Tibet. Energy is no longer contracted by the perception of duality, and the mind and body become unbounded, forming a sphere that contains all that was formerly outside. In Yoga Spandakarika Daniel Odier passes on these vanishing teachings as he received them from his Tibetan master, Kalu Rinpoche, and Kashmiri yogi Lalita Devi.