hinduism

Meditation is a topic that has both cosmic relevance and cosmic resonance. In spite of its universal appeal, for most people total control of mind remains an elusive goal and daunting task. From time immemorial, there have been many attempts throughout the world to unlock the mysteries of the mind and to achieve total control over it through a variety of techniques. One of the most powerful of these techniques is meditation. In his book, Meditation, Mind and Patanjali¡¯s Yoga, Swami Bhaskarananda provides a clear and concise exposition of the theory and practice of meditation to a global audience. The book is based primarily on the methods of mind control developed by the ancient Hindu sage Patanjali who had mastered the secrets of the human mind. Swami Bhaskarananda adds much more to his discussion of meditation beyond Patanjali¡¯s famous aphorisms by drawing from the experiences of many spiritual leaders, sages, saints, and holy people such as Buddha, Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda. The author liberally uses anecdotes and familiar examples from contemporary life to illustrate and illuminate abstruse or esoteric points.

The book consists of a brief introduction and twenty short chapters. Chapter I sets forth the rationale for meditation. The focus of the next chapter is the teacher-student relationship in the practice of meditation. Chapter III outlines Patanjali¡¯s eight-step discipline to yoga and Chapters IV-X elaborate on these steps. Obstacles to and hazards in meditation are discussed in Chapters XI and XII, respectively. The well-known, but widely misunderstood, concept of kundalini power is the subject of Chapter XIII. The Sankhya theory of creation is briefly examined in the next chapter. A lucid discussion of Samadhi in its multiple forms constitutes Chapter XV. The post-Samadhi state is explained in the next chapter. The three chapters that follow discuss Japa, spiritual progress, and stress relief, in that order. Concluding remarks are offered in Chapter XX.

This is not a book for those who are looking for miracle mind control or ¡°power¡± yoga. Rather, it is intended for the true aspirants who are willing to diligently and earnestly practice the tried, tested, and time-honored techniques of meditation. The value of this highly instructive book is further enhanced by its many user-friendly features. These include the illustrations and photographs of sages and saints who have achieved Samadhi through meditation, a comprehensive glossary, and a detailed index. A list of recommended books for further reading is another appealing feature of this volume. In summary, the clear, concise, and non-technical discussion of the art and science of meditation, including many practical suggestions, makes this volume a must-have for any serious student and practitioner of meditation.

This is a most concise and comprehensive treatise on meditation in the Indian tradition, written with lucidity by a Hindu Monk from India who teaches meditation in United States. The sections on the obstacles to meditation are a must - read for all who practise meditation, and the author's advice on how to find a good teacher should be immensely helpful to those spiritual aspirants who are seeking spiritual guidance.

What makes this book stand out from other books on the fundamentals of Hinduism is its lucidity - even readers who have little background knowledge of Hinduism would not have problem understanding it.
The Author, a Hindu Monk from India who teaches in the United States, has taken care to make sure that no basic concept is left unexplained, and this he does with admirable conciseness.