AYP Public Forum
AYP Public Forum => Books, Web Sites, Audio, Video, etc. => Topic started by: trip1 on August 01, 2006, 04:44:08 PM
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Hi Everyone,
Just wondering what everyone is currently reading. I'm always open to learning about good books, and will be looking forward to your replies. [:)]
-Brett
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Just finished 'Secrets of Wilder', and am switching between Spinal Breathing Pranayama and Easy Lessons for Ecstatic Living. All of them have been written by someone called Yogani, a Floridan yogi. [;)]. Recommend them all heartily.
My other dip-in with me is Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.
I finished reading some book by Paulo Coelho a couple of months back, which I did enjoy, but alack! I remember not the book's name nor the protoganist.
Just chatting with you Brett, so you aren't alone, till the others come along and tell you about Katie, and other live wires to read. I wait with you.[:)]
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This probably should be a list of spiritual readings, but I've burnt out on them, as well as self-help books. It gets tiresome after a while and I needed to come up for air. Do you like the writing of Saraswati, Sadhak? I've been wanting to read his book on Kundalini Tantra. Just finished Sophie's Choice by William Styron. I had no idea what a great writer he is. I got completely immersed in it, and was amazed that he was able to bring such wit to a dark and terrible event (the Holocaust). What about you, Brett? What r u reading, and what do you recommend?
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Highly recommend... 'The Heart of Understanding' by Thich Nhat Hanh.
It is a tiny book.. but really awesome...
Meg talked about it here (http://www.aypsite.com/plus-forum/index.php?topic=1123)
Currently reading 'Undefended Love' by Jett Psaris and Marlena Lyons.
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breath by breath by Larry Rosenberg
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570623503/qid=1067439450/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-3912135-6476711?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
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quote:
Originally posted by Shanti
Highly recommend... 'The Heart of Understanding' by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Currently reading 'Undefended Love' by Jett Psaris and Marlena Lyons.
Undefended Love is awesome. A profound book which fits in nicely with our AYpractices. Do you agree, Shweta?
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I sincerely recommend skeptics and Yogis alike to read The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose. The best semi-popular book on science in recently years, obviously bet the well-known "The brief history of time" which bypass ALL real stuff.
Not really a spiritual book, though [:)] And expect to spend years on it!
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Yes Meg [:)]..
Both the above books were recommended by Meg by the way. Thanks Meg.
Another good one..
"Being Peace" by Thich Nhat Hanh.
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A few not mentioned yet that I have read in the last couple of years and recommend:
"Loving What Is" Byron Katie
"The Power of Now" Eckhart Tolle
"The Four Agreements" Don Miguel Ruiz
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Andrew you forgot one more of our favorites :-)
"What's Wrong with Right Now?" by Sailor Bob Adamson
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I just finished a book on reading auras, and it was lame, lame lame. Am just starting to read Unto Thee I Grant, which is purportedly a book from the early-mid 1700's based on conversations between an English gentleman and the Grand Lama (now termed Dalai Lama), and this fellow's studies of texts found in the temples therein, and the Englishman's letters back to his sponsors in England. Am also slowly working through a book on understanding the Zohar, a book on healthy aging by Dr. Andrew Weil and for fun, am wrapping up a fictional series of books my daughter has revolving around wicca.
Kathy
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"How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food" by Mark Bittman. Hands down the best cooking book for a beginner that I've seen. It's awe inspiring. You can fake being a professional chef with this book.
Sorry, that's about the best book I have. I see no point in reading spiritual books anymore, because I don't get anything from them anymore. I don't mean to offend anyone in saying that. Spiritual books have gotten me this far.
It's like reading numerous auto manuals on your car. Some are great and have nice pictures. Some are boring. Some are very user friendly. Some are way too in depth. You REALLY want to fix your car so you read all of these things and get some knowledge...but after so much you have to actually get to the fixing. At that point, what use are auto manuals?
But! I do like the Dhammapada translated by Ananda Maitreya, with a forward by Thich Nhat Hanh. It's an all time favorite of mine for its clarity, beauty and simplicity. It's a great guidebook to life. I recommend it to EVERYONE.
-Scott
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Great replies and recommendations everyone. Thank you for taking the time to post.
I'm currently bouncing back and forth between:
The Upanishads (Easwaran Translation)
The Dawn Horse Testament of Heart-Master Da Free John
Grist For The Mill by Ram Dass
And in the car I'm listening to Teachings on Love, a collection of lectures by Thich Nhat Hanh.
On a side note, I recently finished a book called Miracle Of Love, which is a collection of stories about the life of Neem Karoli Baba (Guru of Ram Dass and Krishna Das amongst others). I had trouble putting it down the entire time, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful and extremely fun book to read. [:)]
-Brett
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Someone purchased for me, as a gift, The World is Flat. by Thomas L. Friedman. I will start reading that at some point.
I like to read the Economist as well.
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quote:
Originally posted by meg
Do you like the writing of Saraswati, Sadhak? I've been wanting to read his book on Kundalini Tantra.
Whatever books I've read from the Bihar School stable, Meg, I've found very clear, practice oriented, and profound... That includes Saraswati of course. These are ususally not read and put down books. Like the AYP books you have them around and keeping dipping into from time to time. Haven't read Kundalini Tantra though. Tell me if you get down to it... I actually can't remember whether I read Sophie's choice![:0]
But thanks to Trip, I've got the list I must pounce on when at a book store at hand. Shweta, Anthem... I gotcha yer list. [:D]
Scott, I know what you mean. I once took a sabbatical from all spiritual books. But when I came back I found they are good for that little nudge and push in your longing to get on the road and whizz off.
But yes, cook books are great to have once you're on the road. I can think of no worse plight than working up an appetite on the road and raw veggies piled up in the boot without a cook book to tell me what to do with 'em. I have six seven myself...can never remember what they are called. But just reading through them makes me feel like the best cook, and even inspires me to make a dish after a few days. Spiritual books are like cookbooks.
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Books by gopikrishna are good and give good and practical view on how kundalini awakens. They are available for free online.
http://www.gopikrishna.mystics.co.uk/
especially this book.. "Autobiography of a Spiritual Genius"
http://www.gopikrishna.mystics.co.uk/Autobiography%20of%20a%20Spiritual%20Genius%20-%20Gopi%20Krishna.pdf
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Before you all lose interest in the subject of books.....Brett has given me permission to piggy back on his question with one of my own:
Do any of you remember reading a book which was transcendent on its own terms? That is, one which was transcendent in its pure form as a novel, short story, or essay, apart from its content? The very act of reading the book elevates you to a higher state of consciousness, and you know that the author had to be in touch with something transcendent to have pulled it off. IMO, this kind of book is what great writing is all about, as it offers a glimpse, rather than a caricature, of the sublime. I'm curious if anyone has recommendations for this.
(thanks, Brett!) [:)]
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Genuine Happiness: Meditation as the Path to Fulfillment alan wallace
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Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda
Most of you may have read it already.. [:)]
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Meg, in response to what you posted:
I felt that way about a few books:
This House is On Fire as told by Sri Anandi Ma.
Sacred Science and Christ Consciousness by Norman Paulsen.
As Shweta mentioned, Autobiography of a Yogi.
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.
And most surely, these publications by Yogani. Very strong.
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Not a spiritual book, but when I was a kid, I read Heidi, and it transported me alright. Never read it again, and don't even remember details of the story, but it moved me profoundly, and the memory of it still stirs me. [?] Might be some association
The little Prince had an effect too.
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Energy medicine by Donna Eden
The Field by Lynne McTaggart
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quote:
Originally posted by megDo any of you remember reading a book which was transcendent on its own terms? That is, one which was transcendent in its pure form as a novel, short story, or essay, apart from its content? The very act of reading the book elevates you to a higher state of consciousness, and you know that the author had to be in touch with something transcendent to have pulled it off. IMO, this kind of book is what great writing is all about, as it offers a glimpse, rather than a caricature, of the sublime. I'm curious if anyone has recommendations for this.
Great question Meg. The standout book for me is definitely Autobiography of a Yogi. The amount of pure love within these pages is something I have yet to experience any other writing even come close to, and my life hasn't been the same since my first time reading it.
A few others which really did it for me are:
Be Here Now - Ram Dass
Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic - Osho
The Bhagavad Gita
-Brett
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Meg,
Have you seen this website? This gives calibrations for different types of media like music, books, movies. http://www.cmmdb.com
-Hunter
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"Copied from my topic 'I am That' by Nisargadatta Maharaj under books, tapes and scriptures"
Just wanted to write a little bit about my experience with this book. I recently came across this title and picked it up in my local library in Dallas. I should say that the Q&A with Nisargadatta Maharaj had a profound effect on me. I was spell bound by some of the answers that he provided to the questions. His insight into the advaita philosophy cuts through layers of misconception like a sharp knife. And best of all there is no preaching or any other requirement to follow any tradition. And Nisargadatta does not claim of any super natural powers etc. and there is absolutely no mythologizing. I found that some of his answers reflected the same approach advocated by Ramana Maharishi in finding who we are. Nisargadata says that we should always stay with the feeling "I am". I can not but wonder the significance of the mantra given in AYP "I AM" and the correlation that it has with Nisargadatta's teaching.
Make sure to check out the reviews of this book in Amazon.com, (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0893860220/ref=cm_cr_dp_pt/105-3333229-3150826?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books). Some folks have written very good reviews for this book. And after reading the book, I feel that their opinions are not exaggerated at all. In my opinion this is a "must read" for people in the path of enlightenment.
I would also like to hear about the comments of other people in this forum who have read this book.
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Currently
Easy Lessons for Ecstatic Living, by Yogani
The Alchemist, by Paulo Cuelho (sp?)
The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran,
and
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? By Phillip K. Dick
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I'll check out Nisargadatta. I'm reading 'Emptiness Dancing' by Adyashanti. It has forever changed my understanding of enlightenment. I highly recommend his books to anyone who appreciates the clarity and no-nonsense approach of Yogani's Enlightenment Series.
"Enlightenment is nothing more than the complete absence of resistance to what is. End of story." -Adyashanti
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I have been reading a book Real Love by Greg Baer... He and Katie seem to believe in the same thing.. "When you argue with reality, you lose 100 percent of the time".
Well, as many here already know I am a huge Katie fan (Byron Katie, "Loving what is".. for those not familiar with it.. there is a nice summary here (http://www.megwarden.com/TheWork.html)).. when there is a situation that could use some self inquiry... ask 4 questions and turn it around.. Has been working great for me.. What this book (Real Love) has helped me with, is to see my own getting/protecting behaviour. Once you learn to see your own unconscious reactions to situations.. it's almost like you can smile at it and let it dissolve.. and once this happens.. it is so much easier to "turn it around" (as we at the forum say..Katie it :)...) .. its amazing.. The more I can see my mind patterns .. the more I see myself being freed from it..
This is Greg Baer's website http://www.reallove.com/ and his blogs http://www.reallovecoaching.net/blog/greg/
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Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I started reading The Hobbit last year and the creative humor quickly got me interested in the series. I love the author´s lively descriptions of the land of Middle Earth. It makes me feel right at home[:)].
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I just finished Secrets of Wilder and I am currently reading Samyama by Yogani.
Both are great. I like the former because it talks more about the AYPs from the view point of someone who is practicing them and experiencing the results. I picked up some very helpful practice insights from it. I like the latter because it makes more clear some things about manifesting positive changes in daily life.
Also, I am reading The Path of Fire and Light by Swami Rama. The subtitle says it all:
Advanced Practices of Yoga. Lots of good info on subtle breathing.
One other: Raja Yoga by Selvarajan Yesudian and Elisabeth Haich. A great book, formerly entitled Yoga, Uniting East and West which explains Raja Yoga (steps 5-8 in particular) from both an eastern and western point of view. In fact, it teaches Yoga from a new testament perspective and Christianity from a yogic perspective. Pretty neat.
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Byron Katie's newwest book written with stephen mitchell is really really amazing!
"A Thousand Names For Joy"[:D]
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Nearly finished with "The Second Coming of Christ: The resurrection of the Christ Within You" A revelatory commentary on the original teachings of Jesus.
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I'm reading "Journey of Souls" by Michael Newton, since a friend insisted that I read it and even got me the book.
Here's the thing, I never believed in reincarnation and I'm starting to question my beliefs from some of the case studies I've read.
VIL
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Have been reading an awesome book...
Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
If you'd like to sample the book.. you can read the first few chapters here..
http://en.paulocoelhoblog.com/witch-of-portobello/
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quote:
Originally posted by Swami Vajra
Nearly finished with "The Second Coming of Christ: The resurrection of the Christ Within You" A revelatory commentary on the original teachings of Jesus.
Wow, that's quite the undertaking; that 2 volume work is massive! [:D]
Recently finished:
Life After Death: The Burden of Proof by Deepak Chopra
Shogun by James Clavell (not spiritual but a fantastic story)
Currently Reading:
Divine Mercy by Sister Faustina
The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita by Swami Kriyananda
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I am reading I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta by Nisargadatta Maharaj (Author), Sudhaker S. Diksh*t (Editor), Maurice Frydman (Translator).
Also, I am reading Stories of Indian Saints: Translation of Mahipati's Bhakta-Vijaya, a reprint of the edition published in Poona in 1933.
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The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield.
Fiction, and his first work, from the reading of it. But I would recommend it.
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(1) I read 'The Tibetan book of Living and Dying' by Sogyal Rinpoche few years back. It had profound spiritual effect on me. I dropped eating meat since then. May be its a coincidence, dont't know. But its a very good book.
(2) I recently read 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle. Its a great book. I think I need to keep reading it again and again to practice the 'Now' on a regular basis. It was a great inspiration to me.
(3) Currently, I am reading 'Finding Forgiveness' by EILEEN R.BORRIS-DUNCHUNSTANG,ED.D.
Its a good book if you want to let go off suffering in your life.
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Shanti,
I love that book of Coelho ! Actually I love all his books, but that one in special is a very good one.
Sat Nam
Neli
quote:
Originally posted by Shanti
Have been reading an awesome book...
Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
If you'd like to sample the book.. you can read the first few chapters here..
http://en.paulocoelhoblog.com/witch-of-portobello/
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Finished reading "the spiritual brain", a neuroscientists case for the existence of the soul. he takes on the likes of Richard Dawkins etc.
Really into the radhasoami sant mat kind of books at the moment. Kirpal Singh etc. Decent info here.
Mainly just the usual stuff - Yogananda, Vivekananda, Ennio Nimis.
The Autobiography of Hamid Bey "My experiences preceeding 5,000 burials". Some interesting stuff in there. Mainly that of self-induced catalepsy by pressing on the carotid arteries in the neck and doing kechari mudra after lowering his heart rate. A fast for a whole day beforehand gets rid of toxins in the blood which helps the metabolism slow down. Once in trance the heart rate goes down to 4 bpm and respiration stops. He says it is vital to block air coming in otherwise death can result. In other words, don't try this at home!
Someone that knew Hamid Bey told me he once went for a burial for a whole week in duration. I have a photograph of it.
When Bey is in self-induced samadhi he is unconscious except he sometimes has OBEs and other psychic experiences.
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quote:
Originally posted by neli
Shanti,
I love that book of Coelho ! Actually I love all his books, but that one in special is a very good one.
Sat Nam
Neli
quote:
Originally posted by Shanti
Have been reading an awesome book...
Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
If you'd like to sample the book.. you can read the first few chapters here..
http://en.paulocoelhoblog.com/witch-of-portobello/
Yep, I think it was one of his best. [:)]
You can feel how much he has progressed spiritually in this book, since The Alchemist.
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Hi,
I am currently reading 'The first 30 days, your guide to any change (and loving your life more)by Ariane de Bonvoisin.
This might help those struggling with the changes experienced from following a spiritual path and is a good read.
www.first30days.com
L&L
Dave
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Hi Dave:
Thanks for the recommendation of "The First 30 Days" What's the essence of the teaching? By the way, I've really enjoyed your contributions to the AYP Forum over the past few years.
Best regards:
Guy
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Hi Guy,
Thank you very much for your kind words. I hope I speak from a non-judgemental aspect in my posts but none of us are perfect.
'The First30days' is about strategies to see the positive in change in our lives.Also Ariane talks about accepting that change brings good results in the end.Well we all hope it does.LOL
L&L
Dave
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Hi Shanti,
I'm reading the book of the Alchemist, all his books have like little secrets to the path of enlightenment. Also a very good book is
"A Journey to You Shaman" by Ross Heaven, as shamanism uses a lot of meditation or "trance" that for me is the same. I really don't see much difference between them, but maybe I'm wrong.
Sat Nam
Neli
quote:
Originally posted by Shanti
quote:
Originally posted by neli
Shanti,
I love that book of Coelho ! Actually I love all his books, but that one in special is a very good one.
Sat Nam
Neli
quote:
Originally posted by Shanti
Have been reading an awesome book...
Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
If you'd like to sample the book.. you can read the first few chapters here..
http://en.paulocoelhoblog.com/witch-of-portobello/
Yep, I think it was one of his best. [:)]
You can feel how much he has progressed spiritually in this book, since The Alchemist.
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Kali's Odiyya: A shaman's true story of initiation by Amarananda Bhairavan
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Diet, Shatkarmas and Amaroli by Yogani
Einstein's Dreams By Alan Lightman (a really beautiful book)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (I think this book has a deeper message than most people give it credit for)
Logomachy Of Zos by Austin Osman Spare (http://hermetic.com/spare/index.html)
Symbolism in Hinduism compiled by Swami Nityanand (I sampled it here, http://www.aypsite.com/plus-forum/index.php?topic=1139&whichpage=2)
http://vignanabhairavatantra.blogspot.com/(not a book, but on a list of things to read I'd have to put this, even if it is incomplete I think it's more comprehensive than Osho's or Daniel Odier's version of this Tantra)
Shin Angyo Onshi, which is a Manwha (Korean Comic book) but it's still REALLY good. You can read it online at http://www.onemanga.com/Shin_Angyo_Onshi/
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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Hi all,
I am deep into "In search of the miraculous : fragments of an unknown teaching" by P.D Ouspenski based on the teachings of the 4th way by Gurdjieff. There is a tremendous wealth of esoteric knowledge here to be taken with consideration and caution. It's that kind of book to me that has magnetic presence and resonance. The ideas I found here are very challenging and provoking, and that's just what I like. For example according to Gurdjieff, Kundalini is the last thing a man with his senses would desire to awaken because he links Kundalini with the power of illusion, of one living in his imagination instead of reality.
Works beautifully as a much needed wake up call when one starts feeling a bit lost in the myriads of beliefs and mystical systems.
Highly recommended for the inquiring mind.
[:)]
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I recently finished the book “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver. I enjoyed it and learned from it. It has inspired some changes in my own food purchases and way of living. For some time I've been trying not to buy food that was transported hundreds or thousands of miles to our locale. I'm trying to think in terms of energy cost for food production and consumption and what it means to sustainability for our planet.
The book chronicled a year in a family’s life after a decision to “eat locally”. They moved from Arizona to rural Virginia where they had inherited some land. They grew as much of their own food as possible, and kept chickens and turkeys. They supplemented that with purchases from the local farmer’s market. And to get through the cold Virginia winters, they canned, froze, dried and ‘put by’ as much food as they could from their harvest.
They did have to make some purchases at the grocery store but when they did, they tried to buy only items that were shipped less than one hundred miles to their area. They ended up making a switch to eating what was in season for their area.
Interspersed with the narrative of their efforts were essays about the commercial food industry, locavores, nutrition and recipes. Parts of the book were really funny and parts were a little dry.
Kathy
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Hi All:
"The End of Your World" by Adyashanti (new book)
Practical advice for those dipping in and out of unity/non-duality experiences.
The advice is specific to "Adya-Zen-style" awakenings, which can be a little (or very) rough. We avoid much of that (or hope to) in AYP with the pre-cultivation of abiding inner silence -- the witness. Even so, Adyashanti offers a lot of practical information here for anyone who is involved in self-inquiry and non-duality. Good stuff!
The guru is in you.
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I'm currently reading "I AM THAT" by Nissargadatta Maharaj.
I read it little by little. It's very profound..
I want to recommend the book "Siddhartha" by Herman Hesse, for anyone who hasn't read it, I read it a long time ago but got reminded of it recently, it's a really great novel..
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quote:
I'm currently reading "I AM THAT" by Nissargadatta Maharaj.
I read it little by little. It's very profound..
Me too :) It's awesome, isn't it ? I've never read a spiritual book with such deepness and clarity before.
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Yes, very awesome [:)]
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Wake up and Roar. vol. 1,2.
satsang with Papaji (a student of Ramana Maharshi and the teacher of people like Gangaji and Mooji)
you know how some books have a certain vibe, and you feel like it's nourishment for the soul well this book have tons of That (everything concerning papaji even after him leaving the body radiates with that; it's Self reaching towards the Self)
a great helpful read for those who are interested in self inquiry.
A
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I have several books going at once. just looking at my windowsill i have Yogananda's Second Coming of Christ, Osho on Patanjali's yoga sutra, the big AYP book, Robert Anton Wilson's Sex, Drugs and Magick, Die to Live by Maharaj Charan Singh, How God Changes the Brain by Andrew Newberg, a commentary on the Quran, and i am reading a PDF called The Crown of Life by Kirpal Singh.
I probably have about 400 books in my collection. Just some years of buying whenever i could. I am at a loss at what to do about them all. It is not very nice having so many possessions. I could find myself moving to a tiny flat in the future and i'm sure there won't be enough space. But if i had to get rid of most of the books i have i would definitely keep the big AYP book. That one i know.[:)]
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"Teachings of Ma Ananda Moyi"
If you're like me, we have both figured out that the teaching of a cosmic avatar in such a lovely body-form has great appeal. I find it so blissful to surrender to Goddess Herself.
[:D][:I]
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Hi all
Such an interesting thread
I can add :
http://www.amazon.com/Pilgrims-Tale-Classics-Western-Spirituality/dp/0809137097/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250143652&sr=1-7
An amazing book I read when I was 14, and I never forget.
To discover Orthodox mysticism and the prayer of the heart.
If you want a marvelous romance of love and spiritual quest in the old Thibet written by a native thibetan:
http://www.amazon.com/Mipam-Tibetan-Albert-Arthur-Yongden/dp/094338933X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250147811&sr=1-1#
and of course all Alexandra David-Neel’s books.
http://www.amazon.com/Krishnamurtis-Notebook-Jiddu-Krishnamurti/dp/1888004630/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250147947&sr=1-13
Krisnaji had such an influence on me when I was in my thirties that his teachings lead me to the border line of total despair. Yet I recommand these book, the K-Notebook his a daily record of his perceptions and states of consciousness written by K. for seven months and a first hand testimonial of the life of this mysterious man.
Autobiography of a Yogi
The gospel of Ramakrishna
These books are a must for the spiritual seekers and have already be mentionned in this thread, I can add :
The life of Ramakrishna by Romain Roland
Unfortunately it seems to be out of print in english perhaps you cand find it in a library .
Didier
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Hello Buffle,
Did you ever meet Krishnamurti? As you say, a mysterious man..
Love the Gospel of Ramakrishna. I'm sure the Romain Roland version would be available from a Vedanta ashram.
Autobiography of a Yogi got me on the yoga path. Undoubtedly one of the best books of all time.
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Hi Gumpi
I had no personnal interwiew with K. but many time I took the road from Geneva to Saanen to attend his lectures.
K. enter the huge tent where thousands of people are waiting and suddently there is an tremendous silence.The little man seat on the platform, on a little chair, without any decorum, wihout any applaus, then during a few minutes he looks intensely the audience without any word, then begins to speak : extraordinary words wich destroy without pity all beliefs, all the creations of the mind leaving you alone face to the unknown you are unable to enter.
The audience listen without understanding and here we have a lonely man than nobody can
follow.
In the middle of the lecture a noisy train enter Saanen’station , K.stops to speak and there is only the noise of the train in the silence.
I read somewhere in the writings of K that when he enters the tent he does not know what he will say and I wonder if he was some kind of a medium .The theosophists believed he was the human vehicule of a Great one (Lord Maitreya ?)
It remains a mystery
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Hi all,
I have not seen any mention Jon Kabat-Zinn and his books. Any of you read any of his book(s)?
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I just finished Albert Low's The Origin of Human Nature: A Zen Buddhist Looks at Evolution (http://www.amazon.com/Origin-Human-Nature-Buddhist-Evolution/dp/1845192605/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252660465&sr=8-1). I found it quite a good book, and quite daring to write a book on a topic that is considered "scientific territory" - he has no scientific education. However, his approach to illustrate the origin of creativity and how it creates itself is very straightforward. I think that many people who acknowledge transcendentalism will agree with most - if not all - points in the book. Hardcore materialists will give up after a few pages, as soon as they see the word "transcendental"...
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Reading Adyashanti's "The end of your world" and the devilish, evil design of this journey is exactly what I was afraid of and sort of already knew... and even worse in some parts that I hadn't thought of... he's just pointing it out very clearly! sh*t bad news. But a good book. Read it and drop your illusions about the beautiful spiritual journey!
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Am reading "Insight Dialogue" by Greg Kramer, as well as "Emptiness Dancing" by Adyashanti (again[;)]) as well as "Diet, Shatkarmas and Amaroli" by Yogani, as well as "Yoga Anatomy" by Leslie Kaminoff. Quite enjoying the Insight Dialogue book.....a very amazingly complimentary practice to the AYP system.
Love,
Carson[^]
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quote:
Originally posted by emc
Reading Adyashanti's "The end of your world" and the devilish, evil design of this journey is exactly what I was afraid of and sort of already knew... and even worse in some parts that I hadn't thought of... he's just pointing it out very clearly! sh*t bad news. But a good book. Read it and drop your illusions about the beautiful spiritual journey!
Hi emc:
I may have recommended this book to you some time back. It should be pointed out that Adyashanti is speaking to an audience he is familiar with: his students and others who come to enlightenment being strong on self-inquiry and weak on meditation. Throw in a few strong doses of guru shaktipat for good measure. The result can be quite a lot of chaos, often with little abiding inner silence to absorb it with.
So I would not say that "The End of Your World" is representative of what people will experience with the AYP approach. Rather, it is the kind of unfoldment one might experience if the cart gets in front of the horse. It is an excellent book for that, and I highly recommend it to anyone who feels that they are getting ahead of themselves, for any reason whatsoever. It can serve as a reminder of the importance of daily deep meditation, and a more self-paced approach in general.
Keep in mind that real enlightenment is unending ecstatic bliss and unifying outpouring divine love. All the rest is scenery, as is the enlightenment itself. Nothing going on here at all, but love. [:X]
The guru is in you.
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quote:
Originally posted by yogani
So I would not say that "The End of Your World" is representative of what people will experience with the AYP approach.
Keep in mind that real enlightenment is unending ecstatic bliss and unifying outpouring divine love. All the rest is scenery, as is the enlightenment itself. Nothing going on here at all, but love. [:X]
The gratitude for your teachings and the AYP system are running very strong with me today...such an amazing gift...
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I'm through all of the AYP books, and recently re-read Secrets of Wilder, DM and SBP...
Just got Mantra & Meditation; LayaYoga The Definitive Guide to the Chakras and Kundalini; Chakras: Energy Centers of Transformation; and The Secrets of Prana, Pranayama & Yoga Asanas...all from the Extended Booklist... (http://www.aypsite.org/booklist.html)
So far Mantra & Meditation is pretty good...
Anyone else sampled books from the Extended Booklist? Any suggestions?
Peace, Love & Happiness
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Paul Brunton books are good...
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just finished "a moment of truth" now my mom is reading it and cant put it down. I like it a lot.
brother Neil
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Nothing at the moment, I'm kinda new to yoga. I'm looking to pick up some good reading!!
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for those who enjoyed reading Autobiography of a yogi i suggest "Living with the himalayan masters" by Swami Rama which is really good.
and i think that it's fair to say that Swami Rama was a very controversial guru and IMHO was very advanced spiritually but didn't melt his ego into the heart area which means that he wasn't enlightened.
but of course this is my own opinion and i might be wrong as you know.
namaste
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"Spiritual Stories as told by Sri Ramana Maharishi" is another good book which i am reading now.
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The Doctrine of Vibrations by Mark Dyczkowski.
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"The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz.
a plain and simple book that teaches how to establish a good and aware conduct.
it's very beneficial as a gift for someone who is new into mindful conduct.
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"Real love" by Greg Baer. Good combination with "loving what it is" by byron Katie.
Very useful books for dissolve your mind in stillness and learning how to deal better with relationships.
Also im rereading "autobiography of swami sivananda".The book radiates a special warm golden light.Love it also.
Yoganis self inquiry (3th time) also,but more slowly.
[:)]
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Im gonna read "the spell of the sensorious" by Abrams,"ramana maharshi and the path of knowledge" and "The gnostic gospel of st.thomas" by tau malachi.Im lucky cz there are 3 books by malachi translated to spanish.This gospel of tomas seems to be really amazing book.
I think im gonna enjoy a lot.[:)]
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Right now, "start where you are" by pema chodron, and "The Yoga of Sound" by Russill Paul. Both quite good so far :)
Miguel, I've read "The gnostic gospel of St. Thomas"; it is indeed well worth reading :)
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Khalil Gibran: The Collected Works
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Can't really get in to either of them, so I'm alternating[:)]
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"living by the words of Bhagavan" by David Godman.
it's like a Milarepa tale of guru and disciple between Annamalai swami and Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.
if you like to know Maharshi's character best, then i suggest reading this book.
L&L
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Aauummm Gammm Ganapataye Namah'
I have been reading Adi Sankaracharya's Viveka-Chudamani (Crest Jewel of Wisdom.) I say "read it", but I tend to "read it" in the fashion of doing Samyama, to avoid "castles in the sky," etc...
I tend to want to read from it, and dive into the stillness, read some more, dive back in, etc...
[8D]EVERYBODY INTO the POOL![8D]
~Jivaakabhasana_Yogi
--
****
"...all energy is only borrowed; at some point you have to return it"
~Neytiri
~Avatar
****
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"Play of Consciousness" by Swami Muktananda.
an autobiographical book about the beautiful experiences which happen to those who follow the path of Mother kundalini.
of course not everyone's experiences are the same, but the similarities are definitely there and some stuff are almost exactly the same.
L&L
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Just finished "The Fifth Agremment" by Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz. In my opinion the best of his books, really enjoyed it and recommend it highly.[:)]
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Im reading "From the stars" by Enrique Barrios. A very spiritual and great book. Is abou a 10 years old boy who has has an extraterrestrial friend that tell him about other civilitations with higher evolution than this planet.
Its a best seller and has been translated to many languages.
The feelings while reading it are amazing and very spiritual.
Also "True meditation" by adyashanti.
[:)]
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"Remember, Be Here Now" by Ram Dass "audiobook"
great sense of humor and one hell of a ride and a beautiful message in it for the people who are or used to be in psychadelics...
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I am reading
End of seeking Spiritual practice
http://www.scribd.com/doc/33311913/...ual-Practice
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Tripura Rahasya (The Mystery beyond the Trinity)
http://sriramanamaharshi.org/Allpub_demo.html
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'The Holy Science' by Swami Sri Yukteswar
'Each Moment is the Universe' by Dainin Katagiri
'The Zen Teachings of Huang Po -- On the Transmission of Mind'
translated by John Blofeld
and tea leaves and whatever blows around [:)]
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Jesus by deepak chopra.
Really interesting book[:)]
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currently I have been reading this blog: http://yogaearth.com/blog/. They provide all kinds of information relating to yoga.
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"St mary magdalene: the gnostic tradition of the holy bride" by Tau Malchy. Really interesting stuff![:)]
The next one will be the original edition of "autobiography of a yogi" by yogananda (1946).This first edition has very much material that was deleted by s.r.f.
Namasté.
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Hi. :)
"Mind in the Balance" by B. Alan Wallace
I'm reading this book for the second time.
It is an excellent book and is having quite an impact on me.
It explains so much about the different kinds of medition and practices, contains a historical perspective of the evolution of the mind, compares Christianity with Buddhism and contains several meditative practices with very clear instruction.
I would vote this book to be one of the best that I've ever read.
TI
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Reading Be Here Now, by Ram Dass.
Very beautiful, right on. Straight to the heart.
There's a sentence that I really like there relating to Karma Yoga:
"You do what you do because that's what the harmony of the universe requires"
Beautiful.
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Reading "The Journeys of Socrates" by author Dan Millman (the guy who wrote the way of the peaceful warrior)
And the book is one hell of a read!
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I am reading "Discovery of the Presence of God: Devotional Nonduality" from David Hawkins.
Probably the best book I have read from him so far.
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Secrets of Wilder (2nd time)
and " Re-Embodiment or Human Incarnations" by Yogagnani written in 1930
I saw the book on Ebay and bought it for $1.00.
Has anybody ever heard of this book or this author?
Guy
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Just finished The Secrets of Wilder yesterday. A lot of Shakti in that one, I think. I was a creative writing major and I've published a lot of short stories, so it usually takes a lot for a novel to touch me emotionally, but this one did one several occasions.
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quote:
Originally posted by Tibetan_Ice
Hi. :)
"Mind in the Balance" by B. Alan Wallace
I'm reading this book for the second time.
It is an excellent book and is having quite an impact on me.
It explains so much about the different kinds of medition and practices, contains a historical perspective of the evolution of the mind, compares Christianity with Buddhism and contains several meditative practices with very clear instruction.
I would vote this book to be one of the best that I've ever read.
TI
Hi TI & All,
Just to "second that" .... I've read several books by B. Alan Wallace, including Embracing Mind and Hidden Dimensions, and highly recommend anything by him.
He has the unique perspective of someone with a Western scientific and philosophical education, and experience as a Buddhist monk. He has worked closely with the Dalai Lama as an interpreter and organizer for the Mind and Life conferences, which are an annual roundtable conference with the Dalai Lama and Western scientists.
B. Alan Wallace is not only highly qualified to discuss areas of synergy, as well as areas of confusion, between spiritual and scientific paradigms, but also contributes some unique insights (i.e. he makes points regarding both science and spirituality that I have not seen from any other author).
"Highly Recommended!"
[:)]
More info is available on his website at http://www.alanwallace.org/
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"Messages from the Masters", "One Soul, Many Bodies"' by Brian Weiss.
Excellent book on reincarnation.Useful tips on Dos and Don'ts for a happy spiritual and material life.
Krish
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Hi Kirtanman, I finished Hidden Dimensions a few weeks ago. Fantastic book!
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Hi All:
I recently re-read Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse after quite a few years, and found it to be particularly instructive on the illusions we may encounter (and often not notice) along our spiritual path.
Recommended for anyone who feels like they have found the "inside track" on enlightenment with AYP or any other teaching. There is something else to consider. What? Read it and see. [:)]
Paperback on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Siddhartha-Hermann-Hesse/dp/0553208845), or a less expensive paperback here (http://www.amazon.com/Siddhartha-Indian-Tale-Herman-Hesse/dp/1434475662/ref=tmm_pap_title_0).
Available as a free ebook from Amazon Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/Siddhartha-ebook/dp/B002RKRV4Y) and on Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2500).
(and even an audiobook -- see all the formats listed on the Amazon Kindle page)
All the best!
The guru is in you.
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this book was offered to me as a gift in 2006...i was in canada doing my ttc..and one teacher gave it to me...at that time i was only into kirtan,hard core asanas and pranayama....no meditation no self enquiry....so this book did not really touch me...it was like reading litterature (at that time i dont why it reminded me of Samuel Beckett books)
after ttc started meditating 2 times per day ....ie the real spritual transformative work...so re reading the book was very revelative
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Currently reading:
Vijnana Bhairava: The Manual for Self-Realization by Swami Lakshmanjoo. It contains 112 spiritual practices for reaching enlightenment.
A Course in Consciousness by Stanley Sobottka - google this it's a free e-book download. He's emeritus professor in physics at University of Virginia, but I believe he also has direct non-dual realization. It puts enlightenment in context with the latest development in physics, and then goes onto a truly excellent guide to using many different jnana yoga techniques as a spiritual practice, teaching us to use the intellect to slice through confusion and ignorance.
The Transparency of Things by Rupert Spira. Haven't started this yet but: The purpose of Rupert's book is to look clearly and simply at the nature of experience, without any attempt to change it. A series of contemplations lead us gently but directly to see that our essential nature is neither a body nor a mind. It is the conscious Presence that is aware of this current experience. As such it is nothing that can be experienced as an object and yet it is undeniably present. However, these contemplations go much further than this. As we take our stand knowingly as this conscious Presence that we always already are, and reconsider the objects of the body, mind and world, we find that they do not simply appear to this Presence, they appear within it. And further exploration reveals that they do not simply appear within this Presence but as this Presence. Finally we are led to see that it is in fact this very Presence itself that takes the shape of our experience from moment to moment whilst always remaining only itself. We see that our experience is and has only ever been one seamless totality with no separate entities or objects anywhere to be found.
7 Steps to Awakening (Ramana Maharshi (Author), Nisargadatta Maharaj (Author), Vasistha (Author), Sankara (Author), Sadhu Om (Author), Muruganar (Author), Annamalai Swami (Author). This is a collection of well-organized quotes from those authors.
The Direct Path : A user's guide by Greg Goode. I dip into this one when I'm feeling very quiet and deep inner silence is present. "Have you ever done nondual inquiry and said to yourself, "I understand it intellectually but I don't feel it. It's not my experience!" If so, The Direct Path could be for you. This book is the "missing manual" to the Direct Path. For the first time in print, Direct-Path inquiry is presented from beginning to end and beyond, in a "user-friendly" way. The core of the book is a set of 40 experiments designed to help dissolve the most common nondual sticking points from simple to subtle. The experiments cover the world, the body, the mind, abstract objects and witnessing awareness. You are taken step by step from the simple perception of a physical object all the way to the collapse of the witness into pure consciousness. Your "take-away" is that there's no experiential doubt that you and all things are awareness, openness and love."
Am on week 3 of my third time through The Presence Process by Michael Brown. This is a deep journey into the heart and the tendency to react emotionally to life (with anger, grief, fear or their derivative emotions). Slowly we enter deeply into our pain body and find freedom from our habitual reactive tendencies, in many cases integrating the tendency to react, so that where once there was emotional reactivity, there is now calm, clear presence.
More and more I find spiritual practice is every single waking moment of day to day life. Mundane day to day life is really the greatest the guru we have available to us if met in the right way.
So that's my list, well that and Pandora the Vampire and Vittorio the Vampire by Anne Rice. Just finished Pandora, now onto Vittorio [:D]
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Notes on Spiritual discourses of Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/91361577/Shri-Atmananda-Krishna-Menon-Notes-on-Spiritual-Discourses
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The Essence Of The Bhagavad Gita...Swami Kriyananda (a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda) remembers and shares his guru's explanations on the text.
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quote:
Originally posted by yogani
...instructive on the illusions we may encounter (and often not notice) along our spiritual path.
Very much so. I've just found out Siddharta is from 1922 (most Europoeans of the 1920-s couldn't even spell yoga or meditation...) That's half a century ahead of its time. H. Hesse was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1946
www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1946/
I didn't know that while reading the book, decades ago, but it made a deep impression; I read it only only 5 yrs. after I had added meditation to my practice.
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Yesterday, I read a touching short story, by a doctor, on living in reconciliation, not just preaching it.
An eye-opener on one's conditioning and preconceptions.
For free, and handheld-device compatible.
www.gemini-magazine.com/KronemanTheLuftwaffePilot.html
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Yoga of Heart by Mark Whitwell
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoga-Heart-Healing-Intimate-Connection/dp/159056068X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338546975&sr=1-1
and I have his new book (The Promise) due to be released on 19th June on pre-order at Amazon [:)]
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/276-3803848-9014227?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=mark+whitwell+the+promise&x=0&y=0
Yoga of Heart is possibly the finest book on yoga I have yet read. Inspiring and revelatory.
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The last book I read was a book written by our very own Bewell from here at the forums and it was fantastic (not sure of the title). He wrote it in the early months of 2012 on a writing retreat and I highly recommend it to anyone here. I'm sure if you send him a private message through his profile here at the forum he will send you a PDF copy. It positively reeks of authenticity and I'm sure that anyone who gives it a chance will not be disappointed.
Love!
Carson [^]
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Adyashanti/The end of your world...
bought it yesterday...now in chapter 2 ....
simple and down to earth...reminded me a lot about ayp self enquiry lessons
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I am on the 7th Book in the Carlos Castaneda series. Totally amazing stuff. It too brings us back to the importance of "stopping the internal dialogue"; cultivating inner silence (it actually uses the word "inner silence")and living impeccably (with non-attachment)
Sey
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quote:
Originally posted by trip1
Hi Everyone,
Just wondering what everyone is currently reading. I'm always open to learning about good books, and will be looking forward to your replies. [:)]
-Brett
Hi there, looking for good books on Buddhism & meditation?? I found these http://indikat.hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-List-of-Best-Buddhist-Books and http://indikat.hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-List-of-Best-Meditation-Books. :)
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These days, I can't get enough of the works of Adyashanti and Nirmala.
Reading "That is That" (free on Kindle) and "Living from the Heart" by Nirmala. Something about the simplicity of his words.. [:)]
Keep going back to Adya's talks, especially "Spontaneous Awakening"
Another absolutely fabulous book I've read recently is "Liberation" by Yogani
[:)]
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jupiter
USA
20 Posts
Posted - Jul 01 2019 : 2:47:58 PM Show Profile Email Poster Visit jupiter's Homepage Edit Reply Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Reply Delete Reply
Here is a relatively new book with rave reviews. Highly recommended.
Just Be by Suresh Ramaswamy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/099627300X
There is an in-depth author interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMqd3m93vss
Just Be covers a range of topics, including many topics of interest for the advanced seeker.