Meditation & Its Practices: A Definitive Guide to Techniques and Traditions of Meditation in Yoga and Vedanta - Hardcover

Adiswarananda, Swami

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1683361903 ISBN 13: 9781683361909

Publisher: SkyLight Paths, 2003

Synopsis

The complete sourcebook for exploring Hinduism's two most time-honored traditions of meditation.

Meditation is a subject of universal interest, practiced by seekers of all traditions on the quest for serenity, peace, and blessedness. Among the many traditions of meditation in Hinduism, Yoga and Vedanta have passed the test of time, proving as vital today as they were throughout the ages in helping seekers overcome the maladies of life and attain the greatest spiritual fulfillment. In one comprehensive volume, Meditation & Its Practices illuminates the principles of the Yoga and Vedanta meditation traditions, the meaning of meditation, its goal of Self-Knowledge, the methods by which concentration is developed and the ways of achieving self-control. Defining key concepts in clear terms, this complete guidebook covers every aspect of this ancient spiritual practice, including:

• Goals and Benefits of Meditation
• Objects of Meditation
• Methods of Concentration
• Posture, Physical Condition, Eating Habits and Spiritual Exercises
• Mystical Experiences and Realizations
• Obstacles in Meditation and Ways of Overcoming Them

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.

About this title

Review

"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 worship―the 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

About the Author

Swami Adiswarananda (1925–2007), former senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order of India, was Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York.

Edition details

• Publisher: SkyLight Paths
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1683361903
• ISBN 13: 9781683361909
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 504