The Science of Self Realization. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Hare Krisha

The Science of Self Realization. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Hare Krisha

I'm enjoying "The Science of Self Realization" by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Self-realization explained.

Through the interviews, lectures, essays, and letters of this book, Srila Prabhupada exhaustively explains how to practice yoga in the modern age. Topics include karma and reincarnation, superconsciousness, how to choose a guru, Krsna and Christ, and spiritual solutions to today's social and economic problems.

The Power of Mantra and the Mystery of Initiation. Pandit Rajmani Tigunait

The Power of Mantra and the Mystery of Initiation. Pandit Rajmani Tigunait

I'm enjoying "The Power of Mantra and the Mystery of Initiation" by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.



The use of sacred words for their transformative powers lies at the core of countless traditions, and transcends the barriers of geographic location and time. In this book, Pandit Tigunait draws from his comprehensive knowledge of ancient yogic scripture, and his personal experiences with great Himalayan sages, to make this esoteric science accessible to a 21st-century audience.

The wisdom Pandit Tigunait shares in this book explains:
What mantras are and the nature of their practice
The various classes of mantras and their specific effects
How to use the inherent power of mantra to awaken inner peace and fuel spiritual
enfoldment

Seekers in all times and from all traditions have made the journey from transitory pleasures to eternal joy with the science of mantra. Purchase your copy of The Power of Mantra and the Mystery of Initiation today and discover the profound change mantra meditation can make in your life.

Ancient Echoes. The Anasazi Book of Chants. Mary Summer Rain

Ancient Echoes. The Anasazi Book of Chants. Mary Summer Rain

I'm enjoying reading through "Ancient Echoes: The Anasazi Book of Chants" by Mary Summer Rain. These prayers, written in the spirit of the Anasazi, were perceived by Mary Summer Rain through long periods of meditation.



Mary Summer Rain answers to the highest calling: that of her heart and soul. This collection of prayers, chants, and poems that she received from the Anasazi through a spiritual connection is something we can read and reread and use in our daily lives. I highly recommend this to anyone, who can appreciate heartfelt messages from the soul paying respect to the forces... M. Shipman

Introduction to Tantra. The Transformation of Desire. Lama Yeshe. Tibetan Buddhism. Deity Yoga

Introduction to Tantra. The Transformation of Desire. Lama Yeshe. Tibetan Buddhism. Deity Yoga

Westerners studying Eastern subjects tend to be drawn to Tantra (using desires as energy towards Enlightenment). "Introduction to Tantra: the Transformation of Desire" by Lama Yeshe is among the best books with which to start. Lama Yeshe was a beloved teacher. He passed away about 40 years ago, but a foundation is dedicated to preserving and publishing his writings.


What is tantra? Who is qualified to practice it? How should it be practiced? What are the results? According to Buddhism, every human being has the potential to achieve profound and lasting happiness. And according to the tantric teachings of Buddhism, this remarkable transformation can be realized very quickly if we utilize all aspects of our human energy- especially the energy of our desires. Introduction to Tantra is the best available clarification of a subject that is often misunderstood. Tantra recognizes that the powerful energy aroused by our desire is an indispensable resource for the spiritual path. It is precisely because our lives are so inseparably linked with desire that we must make use of desire's tremendous energy not just for pleasure, but to transform our lives. Lama Yeshe presents tantra as a practice leading to joy and self-discovery, with a vision of reality that is simple, clear, and relevant to 21st-century life.

Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth. Peter Kelder. Tibetan Yoga. New Age

Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth. Peter Kelder. Tibetan Yoga. New Age

Whether you believe the veracity of the adventurous back story or not, the Five Rites contained within the "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth" by Peter Kelder are a beneficial daily routine of Tibetan Yoga. Originally published in the 1930s under a different title, this has become somewhat of a classic in the New Age genre.


Offering practical instruction on how to perform the Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation, which will take only minutes a day, many practitioners have experienced benefits, including increased energy, weight loss, better memory, new hair growth, pain relief, better digestion, and feeling overall more youthful.

Legend has it that hidden in the remote reaches of the Himalayan mountains lies a secret that would have saved Ponce de Leon from years of fruitless searching for the Fountain of Youth. There, generations of Tibetan monks have passed down a series of exercises with mystical, age-reversing properties. Known as the Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation or the Five Rites, these once-secret exercises are now available to Westerners in Ancient Secret of the Fountain Of Youth. Peter Kelder's book begins with an account of his own introduction to the rites by way of Colonel Bradford, a mysterious retired British army officer who learned of the rites while journeying high up in the Himalayas. Fountain of Youth then offers practical instructions for each of the five rites, which resemble yoga postures. Taking just minutes a day to perform, the benefits for practitioners have included increased energy, weight loss, better memory, new hair growth, pain relief, better digestion, and feeling overall more youthful.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead. The Bardo Thodol

The Tibetan Book of the Dead. The Bardo Thodol. Buddhism. Mindfulness and Liberation

I'm traveling back to the 14th Century and re-reading the Bardo Thodol, better known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead. The Bardo is one of the most widely read Tibetan scriptures, party because it was the first such text to be translated into English.


In this classic scripture of Tibetan Buddhism—traditionally read aloud to the dying to help them attain liberation- death and rebirth are seen as a process that provides an opportunity to recognize the true nature of mind. This translation of The Tibetan Book of the Dead emphasizes the practical advice that the book offers to the living. The insightful commentary by Chögyam Trungpa, written in clear, concise language, explains what the text teaches us about human psychology. This book will be of interest to people concerned with death and dying, as well as those who seek greater spiritual understanding in everyday life.

Awakening the Buddha Within. Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World. Lama Surya Das. Dzogchen. Buddhism

Awakening the Buddha Within. Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World. Lama Surya Das. Dzogchen. Buddhism

Lama Surya Das is an American (born as Jeffrey Miller in New York) who has dedicated most of his life to the study and teaching of Tibetan Buddhism. He has a wonderful clarity to his words while communicating Eastern spiritual ideas to a Western audience. Originally published in the 1990s, "Awakening the Buddha Within" is probably his best known work.



Lama Surya Das, the most highly trained American lama in the Tibetan tradition, presents the definitive book on Western Buddhism for the modern-day spiritual seeker.
The radical and compelling message of Buddhism tells us that each of us has the wisdom, awareness, love, and power of the Buddha within; yet most of us are too often like sleeping Buddhas. In Awakening the Buddha Within, Surya Das shows how we can awaken to who we really are in order to lead a more compassionate, enlightened, and balanced life. It illuminates the guidelines and key principles embodied in the noble Eight-Fold Path and the traditional Three Enlightenment Trainings common to all schools of Buddhism:
Wisdom Training: Developing clear vision, insight, and inner understanding—seeing reality and ourselves as we really are.
Ethics Training: Cultivating virtue, self-discipline, and compassion in what we say and do.
Meditation Training: Practicing mindfulness, concentration, and awareness of the present moment.
With lively stories, meditations, and spiritual practices, Awakening the Buddha Within is an invaluable text for the novice and experienced student of Buddhism alike.

Mindfulness in Plain English. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. Vipassana Insight Meditation. Buddhism

Mindfulness in Plain English. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. Vipassana Insight Meditation. Buddhism

I'm enjoying "Mindfulness in Plain English" by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. It is a straightforward "how to" guide to vipassana, or insight meditation.



Mindfulness in Plain English was first published in 1994, is one of the bestselling and most influential books in the field of mindfulness. It’s easy to see why.
Author Bhante Gunaratana, a renowned meditation master, takes us step by step through the myths, realities, and benefits of meditation and the practice of mindfulness. The book showcases Bhante’s trademark clarity and wit as he explores the tool of meditation, what it does, and how to make it work.

This book is:
A best-selling introduction to mindfulness
Full of practical advice on developing a meditation practice
Written in approachable, clear language
Containing chapters on loving-kindness and concentration

The reader can gain deeper understanding, inner peace, and clarity through meditation practice with the thoughtful guidance of this classic book. Written for those without any meditation background, but also an essential handbook for established students, Mindfulness in Plain English is a must-have for anyone exploring the benefits of Buddhist meditation.
This expanded edition includes the complete text of its predecessor along with a new chapter on cultivating loving kindness, an especially important topic in today’s world. For anyone who is new to meditation, this is a great resource for learning how to live a more productive and peaceful life.

How to Practice. The Way to a Meaningful Life. His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mindfulness. Buddhism

How to Practice. The Way to a Meaningful Life. His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mindfulness. Buddhism

I'm enjoying a read through of "How to Practice" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In this relatively short book, His Holiness examines the principles of Mindfulness and offers advice on how to apply those ideas in one's day to day life.



As human beings, we all share the desire for happiness and meaning in our lives. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the ability to find true fulfillment lies within each of us. In this very special book, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, Nobel Prize winner, and bestselling author helps readers embark upon the path to enlightenment with a stunning illumination of the timeless wisdom and an easy-access reference for daily practice.
Divided into a series of distinct steps that will lead spiritual seekers toward enlightenment, How to Practice is a constant companion in the quest to practice morality, meditation, and wisdom. This accessible book will guide you toward opening your heart, refraining from doing harm, and maintiaining mentaltranquility as the Dalai Lama shows you how to overcome everyday obstacles, from feelings of anger and mistrust to jealousy, insecurity, and counterproductive thinking. Imbued with His Holiness' vivacious spirit and sense of playfulness, How to Practice offers sage and practical insight into the human psyche and into the deepest aspirations that bind us all together.

How to Be Happy. Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Meditation. Tibetan Buddhism

How to Be Happy. Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Meditation. Tibetan Buddhism

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, who has long been esteemed for his ability to communicate Eastern ideas to the West. This little book, "How to Be Happy", consists of his insights on finding peace through kindheartedness and meditation.



In How to Be Happy, Lama Zopa Rinpoche helps us find our good heart, the heart that rejoices in the happiness of others.
How to transform problems into happiness, how to find compassion for our "enemies", how to treat ourselves with kindness; it is on these persistent and universal challenges that Lama Zopa offers his wise and warm teachings. Including three wonderfully rich and evocative guided meditations, How to Be Happy works with the reader to show that happiness in this present moment is dependent on the wisdom of a truly open and generous heart.
Anyone looking for advice on how to be happy—truly, meaningfully happy—will find Lama Zopa Rinpoche to be a trustworthy and skillful guide. He is a tireless teacher of methods that work for us when all is well, and also when life's troubles, big and small, seem unmanageable.

The Essential Yoga Sutra. Patanjali. Geshe Michael Roach. Christie McNally. Karma. Buddhism

The Essential Yoga Sutra. Patanjali. Geshe Michael Roach. Christie McNally. Karma. Buddhism

The Yoga Sutras, by Master Patanjali, was written nearly 2,000 years ago. I'm enjoying this version, "The Essential Yoga Sutra: Ancient Wisdom for Your Yoga" translated by Geshe Michael Roach and Christie McNally. The text features insightful commentary by the translators, both knowledgeable authors on the subject.



The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a classic Sanskrit treatise consisting of 195 “threads,” or aphorisms, describing the process of liberation through yoga. Although little is known about Patanjali (most scholars estimate that he lived in India circa 200–300 B.C.), his writings have long been recognized as a vital contribution to the philosophy and practice of yoga. This new, expert translation of the original Sanskrit text of Patanjali’s best-known work presents his seminal ideas and methods in accessible, plain-language English.
Patanjali organized the sutra into four parts: Samadhi (absorption), Sadhana (practice), Vibhuti (supernatural powers), and Kaivalya (liberation). Each represents a step in breaking free of our limited definition of consciousness and training the mind to achieve oneness with the universe. Geshe Michael Roach, one of the most respected teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in America and a renowned scholar of Sanskrit, provides authoritative commentary on each of the sutras. His notes and clarification are straightforward and highly readable, untainted by obscure, academic terminology or New Age jargon. The first edition of the Yoga Sutra to present a Buddhist perspective, this paperback original will be welcomed by students and spiritual seekers alike.