Meditation & Its Practices

"Fills a long-standing gap in the contemporary literature on meditation. It is a most helpful exposition of the Vedantic perspective on the inward-turning consciousness, which covers all the important and theoretical aspects of the meditative path."
Georg Feuerstein, PhD, president, Yoga Research and Education Center

"This book is one of the finest works on meditation I've ever encountered. Deeply embedded in the Hindu tradition, it is thorough, eminently practical, inspiring and effective. I highly recommend it."
Brother Wayne Teasdale, author, Bede Griffiths: An Introduction to His Interspiritual Thought and A Monk in the World

Presents meditation as a universal form of worshipthe key to our true well-being and our highest fulfillment. Swami Adiswarananda's personal qualities of vigor, authority and conviction will inspire readers to pursue the spiritual adventure of meditation with determination and joy.
Kendra Crossen Burroughs, annotator, Bhagavad Gita: Annotated & Explained and Selections from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna: Annotated & Explained

Auteur

Swami Adiswarananda (19252007), former senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order of India, was Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York.

Texte du rabat

Drawing on both classic and contemporary sources, this comprehensive sourcebook outlines the scientific, psychological and spiritual elements of Yoga and Vedanta meditation, the results of which lead not to the seeker's dreams and visions but to the transformation of his or her character.

Contenu

Preface
Introduction

Part One The Process of Meditation

1. The Meaning of Meditation
2. The Meditative State
3. The Goal of Meditation
4. The Benefits of Meditation
5. Meditation in the System of Yoga
6. Meditation in Vedanta
7. The Sacred Texts on Meditation
8. The Three Key Factors in All Meditation

Part Two Objects of Meditation

9. Objects of Meditation in Yoga and Vedanta
10. Meditation on a Divine Form
11. Meditation on a Divine Incarnation
12. Meditation on the Lord as Inmost Self and Supreme Teacher
13. Meditation on Virata Purusha, the Cosmic Person
14. Meditation on the Sacred Word Om
15. Meditation on the Gayatri Mantra
16. Meditation on the Great Vedic Sayings
17. Meditation on a Sacred Text, Word, or Mystic Syllable

Part Three Centers of Consciousness

18. The Centers for Meditation
19. Dualism, Nondualism, and the Centers

Part Four Methods of Concentration

20. Withdrawal and Concentration of Mind
21. Posture
22. Time and Place, Spiritual Vibrations, and Geographical Directions
23. Physical Condition, Eating Habits, and Exercise
24. Self-Analysis
25. Mystic Worship
26. Japa, or Repetition of a Sacred Word
27. Pranayama, or Control of Breath

Part Five Progress in Meditation

28. Milestones of Progress
29. Mystical Experiences and Realizations
30. The Transformation of Character
31. The Sacred Texts on Progress in Meditation

Part Six Obstacles in Meditation

32. Obstacles in Meditation and Ways of Overcoming Them

Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index