Paramahansa Yogananda was a spiritual giant living in the first half of the 20th century. He was one of the first spiritual masters to bring the teachings of India's spiritual heritage to America.

Can you imagine leaving your home country of India, barely able to speak English and being able to deliver lectures in English on the boat on the cruise to America. That is so inspiring to me.

Now, about this collection - we are treated to 58 essays focussing on applying spiritual ideals to everyday living, rather than promoting particular practices from organized religion. These are not ordinary essays either, they are truly uplifting and inspiring because they are coming from a virtuous man; one who daily lived the greatest spiritual ideals.

I have to admit, this is my favorite collection of Paramahansa Yogananda's lectures; day by day they inspire me to live the best way I can, and when I need a spiritual question answered, it seems to be there, no matter what page I open.

This book opened my eyes to another dimension of life I thought was reserved for residence in heaven, only. And the best part was it inspires on how to reach that exulted state right now, living in the world.

I highly recommend this volume, an inspiring spiritual handbook, to all who wish to improve their understanding of how to live in line with the highest ideals!

Details - 484 pages; published by Self-Realization Fellowship; ISBN: 0876122322

Here is a link to Amazon.com if you wish to order this book:

Man's Eternal Quest by Paramahansa Yogananda

 

More than 70 offerings, from guided meditation techniques to on-the-go stress relief and relationship meditations interspersed with verse, and a section of special occasion prayers. Perfect as a home study course to answer all your meditation needs.

Part I Basic Meditations
1. Basic Sitting Meditation
2. Unwind While Sitting at Your Desk
3. Guided Relaxation Meditation
4. Relaxation Meditation Before Sleep
5. Walking Meditation for Problem Solving
6. Walking Meditation to Unwind
7. Instant Meditation
8. Circle Dancing: Meditation and Prayer in Motion
9. More About Moving Meditation
10. Music Meditation
Part II Universal Meditations
11. Yoga Meditation
12. Mandala or Yantra Meditation
13. Kirtan or Chanting
14. Tratak or Meditation on Light
15. Mantra or OM Meditation
16. Kundalini Meditation
17. Healing in Meditation
18. Giving and Receiving Comfort through Meditation
19. Forgiveness Meditation
20. Meditation on the Source of Creation
Part III Peace Prayers and Meditations
21. Ecumenical and Interfaith Meditation
22. Interfaith Meditation and Prayer Celebration or Service
23. Interfaith Peace Prayer
24. Practicing Peace Meditation
25. World Peace Prayers and Affirmations
Part IV Transitions and Occasions
26. Guided Transition Meditation
27. Remembering Prayer
28. Comfort Prayer for Strength in Loss
29. Christening or Baptism Prayer and Blessing
30. Communion Prayer and Meditation
31. Two Interfaith Wedding and Marriage Blessings
Part V Contemplative Meditations
32. Benefits of Contemplation
33. Meditation's Role in Experiencing our Soul
34. Meditation to Harmonize the Process of Action Reaction
35. Contemplation and Meditation
36. Comparison of Contemplative Meditation and Prayer
37. Benefits of Taking Time for Reflection during the Day
38. Communion with All
39. Everything Is Interconnected
40. Gaining Insight through Reflection
41. Stress Relief and Meditation
Part VI Meditations on Relationship Issues
42. Meditation's Role in Keeping Commitments
43. Tenderness Meditation
44. Meditation for Determining Ways to Happiness
45. Meditation for Rebuilding Lives
46. Meditation to Find Clarity and Peace
47. Courage in Relationships Meditation
48. Attachment and Conflict Issues Meditation
49. Meditation on Being Alone without Being Lonely
50. Meditation on Making Choices for a Heavenly Life
51. Meditation on our Soul
52. Our Sacred Body Meditation
53. Harmony of Natural Rhythms Meditation
54. Timeline of Healing the Soul Meditation
55. Universal Values Meditation
56. Religion, Meditation, Spirituality in Family Life
Part VII - Holiday Prayers and Meditations
57. New Year's Resolution Meditation
58. Three Kings Meditation
59. Valentine's Day Heart Meditation
60. St. Patrick's Day Prayer
61. Easter Meditation
62. Easter Prayer
63. Mother's Day Blessing and Prayer
64. Memorial Day Prayer
65. Father's Day Prayer
66. Labor Day Walking Meditation
67. All Saints Day Prayer
68. Thanksgiving Prayer
69. Christmas Eve Prayer
70. Christmas Prayer
ISBN: 978-90-78099-05-5
114 pages

Available from:
1. Download or Paperback at Lulu Press
2. Paperback at Amazon.com

Fully illustrated with clear line drawings the reader is immediately and profoundly drawn in by the enlightened insight of Mudras - Yoga in your Hands by Gertrud Hirschi.

Here is an opportunity for East to meet West - the long meditative insight of eastern thought and practice through mudras serves the westerner today in a way similar to reflexology in my opinion.

I was excited upon first opening this book to see so much information offered on using mudras for daily living. The topics covered are:

Part One - Exploring the Mudra Concept
What Are Mudras?
Origin of Mudras
Breathing, Visualization, and Affirmations to Enhance the Mudras
Mudras and Music
Mudras and Color
Using Mudras to Heal Physical Complaints
Mudras and Healing Emotional Problems
Mudras and Other Hand Therapies
(Author's) Personal Experiences
Mudras and Meditation
Meditations for Each Finger
Part Two - The Mudras
Mudras for the Body, Mind, and Soul
Spiritual Mudras
The Mudras of Hatha Yoga
Part Three - Practical Applications
Mudra Exercises
How to Create Your Own Mudra
What a Mudra Cannot Do

In the chapter - "Meditations for Each Finger" - the reader is given an explanation of the energy meaning of each finger, then led on a guided meditation for that finger.

With my own background in Bharatya Natyam dancing and practicing hatha yoga I still learned much from this "encyclopedia" of information on mudras.

I think there is something health-giving for everyone in Mudras … from meditation to healing issues.

Read, learn from, and enjoy this book!

Details - 223 page paperback by Weiser Books; 7.7 by 6.3 inches; ISBN: 1578631394

Available from Amazon.com
Mudras - Yoga in your Hands by Gertrud Hirschi

Do you love to read inspiring stories of people dedicated to the higher good who have followed their dream? Well, I do, and this book more than fits the bill!

33 Brief bio sketches of saintly people along with several pages excerpted from the work of each, provide the reader with just enough for upliftment. The chapters portraying each "mystic, master, saint and sage" are arranged chronologically, dating from more than 600B.C. to include some still living.

I feel like this book presents a real life glimpse into what spurs one on, in the quest for both personal fulfillment, and serving the good of all.

I salute the authors, Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, for having the foresight and inspiration to bring these 33 holy people to our attention. Each life carries a unique message that deserves our time for reflection and meditation!

Those included: Gautama, the Buddha; Hui-Neng; Yeshe Tsogyal; Jalaluddin Rumi; A Disciple of the Kabbalistic School of Abraham Abulafia; St. Catherine of Siena; Kabir; Gendun Gyatso Palzangpo; St. John of the Cross; Hakuin; The Baal Shem Tov; Bahá'u'lláh; Ramakrishna Paramahamsa; Ramana Maharshi; Swami (Papa) Ramdas and Mother Krishnabai.

Also, Paramahansa Yogananda; Meher Baba; J. Krishnamurti; Franklin Merrell-Wolff; Peace Pilgrim; Gopi Krishna; Lester Levenson; Jean Klein; Ramesh Balsekar; Robert Adams; Bernadette Roberts; Deepa Kodikal; Gangaji; Eckhart Tolle; A. H. Almaas; Shantimayi; Mata Amritanandamayi; Suzanne Segal.

Details - 260 page paperback, published by Conari Press (October 10, 2001) - ISBN: 1573245070

To order from Amazon.com go to

"Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages - Stories of Enlightenment" by Robert Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman