Spiritual Masters

The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga

by Kriyananda

Average Rating:

"Kriya Yoga refers to a specific meditation technique popularized in American by Paramahansa Yogananda in "Autbiography of A Yogi." Maddeningly, that book never reveals the technique, leaving the interested reader to send away to Yogananda's ashram for months of preliminary lessons before he is eligible for "initiation" into the core technique. I bought this book, "The Spiritual Science..." hoping the technique would be explained. It isn't. He explains pretty much everything else in Yoga, and does so quite well; the book is a good compendium of techniques. But the actual Kriya technique is only taught if you go visit his ashram in Chicago, according to a wispy-voiced woman I spoke to there. If you want to learn a straight version of the actual Kriya technique, buy The Sacred Science by Norman Paulsen. He's thrown in a lot of Christian theory and jargon, but the technique itself is what he learned from Yogananda, and he gives it to you in a clear and practical form."

Publisher: Temple of Kriya Yoga | More reviews: amazon.com

Women of Power & Grace: Nine Astonishing, Inspiring Luminaries of Our Time

by Timothy Conway

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"I am absolutely enthralled at the superb quality of work found in this book. The book gives a fascinating introduction to these Great Saints, and includes an in depth survey of their teachings. Absolutely recommend this book to seekers on the spiritual path."

Publisher: Wake Up Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Spiritual Diary: An Inspirational Thought for Each Day of the Year

by Paramahansa Yogananda

Publisher: Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers | More reviews: amazon.com

To Know Your Self: The Essential Teachings of Swami Satchidananda

by Philip Mandelkorn

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"This book is really like ten or twenty spiritual books in one, because it's teachings are so dense with wisdom, yet easy to understand. I have many of Satchidanada's books and he is my favorite author on living a spiritual life. This was the first of his books I read- they're all wonderful! Believe me, his books WILL change your life for the better, no matter what religion you are. I feel truly blessed to have found his teachings at the young age of 23, for now, whenever I need that life guidance, I just open up one of his books and all answers are given, and more, in very easy to understand words..."

Publisher: Integral Yoga Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel

by Dilgo Khyentse

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"This is one of the best books I've ever read about how to carry the basic practices of Tibetan Buddhism into daily life. It tells how to consider the nearness of the "guru", or teacher, during sleep, while eating, walking, and all the time, bringing compassion and devotion into every moment. This book is truly about having a "love affair" with your spiritual practice. It's written by one of the most revered tibetan teachers in a language that's emotional, accessible and not overly scholarly. At the same time it addresses specific issues of great importance to the Longchen Nyingtik Ngondro, one of the "preliminary practices" of Tibetan Buddhism. Read, reread and enjoy!"

Publisher: Shambhala | More reviews: amazon.com

Coming Home: The Experience of Enlightenment in Sacred Traditions

by Lex Hixon

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"As Ken Wilber says, this is the "single best introductory book ever written on the world's great mystical traditions." It is soulfully, masterfully written--seeking not merely to educate but to awaken its reader to the all-encompassing reality of his or her own Consciousness. I recommend it highly."

Publisher: Larson Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

The Four Noble Truths

by The Dalai Lama

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"Besides offering a thorough exposition of Mahayana belief, and indeed practice, with an anything but common traversal of the Four Noble Truths by a master, in these four videos one is invited to spend a few intimate hours in the presence of the Dalai Lama, always an ennobling experience. The camera work in this film is especially fine, making of the camera one's own eyes, as it were, and lifting the hours even lighter than they already seem. With respect to another of the reviews on this page, I found the necessary translation from the stage handled superbly, and clearly with a great deal of thought and natural reverence. In Thubten Jimpa, the Dalai Lama employs a beautifully adept translator, an interpreter not only brilliantly attuned to the words and thoughts of the Dalai Lama, but one so obviously loved by him, and who responds with a special kind of faithfulness, that a marvelous duet is often played out, only enhancing thereby this great teacher's magisterial presentation. I would add that one feels as well the 'Englishness' of the audience, so eager to quietly offer their accepting energy, so ready to listen, far more so than might be a gathering of Americans usually so conscious of themselves in the moment. The humor that ripples often between the Dalai Lama and his listeners throughout the evening is so generous and unaffected, one is returned again and again to the meaning behind the words, the experience behind the event. This is a film of the highest achievment, fortunately within the reach of us all. An unforgettable few hours!"

Publisher: Thorsons | More reviews: amazon.com

God Loves Fun

by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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"Well all i will say is read this book and yes see life differently .... ....beautifully. It's written in simple language - those who have heard sri's cassettes will immediately feel him talking to them . The book does not try to lecture anyone ... it just somehow sinks in ... touches deep within and each word ...each thing somehow applies to you .... no matter who you are ... where you are . I am 23years old and i am ever so grateful to come across this book while i was so young - bcoz it gave me the chance to just live life so beautifully ... so for me this was the beginning of the journey ...... a fun filled and joyful one!!!"

Publisher: Art of Living Foundation | More reviews: amazon.com

Commentaries on Living I: Series One

by J. Krishnamurti

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"When I first got this book I had absolutely no idea who the man Krishnamurti was or what his life was like. I was simply intrigued by the title of the book. After reading the first two commentaries I began to realize that this wouldn't be like anything I've ever read before. I was reading it through the haze of my own conditioning and I would have dropped the book right there, as nothing was making sense. But something made me want to just read on - I don't know if it is the sheer lyrical beauty of the descriptions in his book or the lure of something that is really true. Whatever the reason, I just could not keep my hands off it after I went on.It can really be a tumultous experience to suddenly realize that the basis of everything that you have believed in and taken support or refuge in is all false. But once you are over that, you then start looking at life very differently. You just stop running with the mad crowd and you stand aside and ask yourself "What have I been doing with my life so far?" Thats the kind of effect that this book had on me and I cannot imagine that a serious reader will go through this book without wanting to change his life after that."

Publisher: Quest Books | More reviews: amazon.com

Messages from Amma: In the Language of the Heart

by Janine Canan

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""Spiritual practice doesn't mean sitting in lotus position with your eyes closed, but also serving the suffering, offering a consoling smile and loving words." --Amma

For the past 30 years, Amma has dedicated her life to the uplifting of suffering humanity through the simplest of gestures - an embrace. In this intimate manner Amma had blessed and consoled more than 21 million people throughout the world. Over time, Amma's popularity has risen to the point where in India she has been known to individually hug over 18,000 people in one day, sitting sometimes for over 20 hours. She travels all around the world to receive all her children around the globe.

When asked, Amma says that her religion is love and service. Ever since she was a young girl, she would meditate and sing beautiful songs to the Lord, often slipping into God-intoxicated states. Because she was born with dark skin and acted "un-childlike" with her intense spiritual devotion, she was viewed by her parents as inferior to other children. Some villagers called her "crazy girl". She served the elderly, the poor and sick neighbors with love and care. Her parents were horrified to see her mingle with untouchables and forbade her to give away any more of their food, but she continued to do so despite their punishments.

As an adult, Amma has inspired innumerable humanitarian activities all over the world. Some of these outreaches include free food and clothing programs, charitable hospitals, hospices, disaster relief programs, free homes for the poor and the needy, medical camps, orphanages, schools, educational institutions, free legal advice, preservation of nature and so on. The list is long and growing everyday, and in 2002, Amma was awarded the Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence.

In 1990, psychiatrist Dr. Janine Canan met with Amma and, with Amma's blessing, began collecting quotations from Amma's public talks, personal dialogues and songs. Messages from Amma: In the Language of the Heart is the result of Dr. Canan's compilation and translation, and features the beautiful, inspiring, and healing words of this living saint. Photos of Amma are also shown throughout this 176-page book.

Here are some selected quotes from Messages From Amma:

Nurturing Energy

Man egotistically claims
he can push a button
and burn the world to ash
when he doesn't understand
the power that moves his own finger.
We must return to the world
the nurturing energy of the feminine.

Never Blame

If you fall into a hole,
you don't poke out your eyes
because they have failed you.
Why not tolerate other's faults as well?
When you hurt your hand
you don't reproach it,
you apply medicine and nurse it with care.
So too should we care for others
never blaming them for their faults.

Beloved Deity

Meditating on a divine form will help you
develop concentration and mental purity.
The pure aspect of your beloved divinity
will grow within you without your realizing it.
Love for a formless God rarely develops
as easily as for a God you can visualize.
Following the path of knowledge without love
and devotion is like eating stones.
Formless all-powerful God readily assumes a form
for the sake of the devotee.
With complete faith and confidence
in your beloved deity, you will reach the goal.

I found this 176-paged book uplifting, comforting, and profoundly insightful. If you enjoy meditative quotes, spiritual poems, and wise sayings, you'll enjoy Messages from Amma: In the Language of the Heart."

Publisher: Ten Speed Press | More reviews: amazon.com