Reading list sections:
1. General Spiritual and Philosophical
References
2.
3. Yoga Philosophy
4. Yoga Physiology and Anatomy
5. Biographical, Inspirational and Sacred
Writings
6. Body Work Outside of, But Compatible With,
Yoga
7. Psychology Within the Scope of Yoga
8. Meditation
9. Music as related to the
subjects of improvisation, yoga, Eastern and Western Mysticism and
psychological/psychic issues.
10. Beginners' reading list.
Rev. John P. Giunta,
MA, FRC
________________________________________________________________________
(703) 281-5498
web: http://SpecialMind.com
email:
jpgiunta1211@aol.com
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My idea is that there is music
in the air, music all around us, the world is full of it and you simply take
as much as you require.
--Sir Edward Elgar |
Most
religions teach one what to do, but yoga teaches one how to be. Meditation can give you that which nothing
else can give you. It introduces you
to yourself. --Swami Rama |
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YOGA AND RELATED SUBJECTS
A PERSONAL
Copyrightã1997, 2008, John P. Giunta
Revised
18 August 2008
General Spiritual and
Philosophical Reference
Bahm, Archie J. Comparative
Philosophy: Western, Indian and Chinese Philosophies Compared, revised
edition.
Many
bibliographic notes. A clear and concise
summary of the philosophies with definition of the study of Comparative
Philosophy.
Ballou, Robert O.
The Portable World Bible.
Gives
selections from Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, Moslem,
Confucian and Taoist scriptures. Contains
a 10-page glossary and 18-page index.
Hinnells, John R., Editor. The
Penguin Dictionary of Religions.
Contains
363 pages of terms defined, 11 pages of maps, a 60-page bibliography, an
18-page synoptic index and a 96-page general index. Helpful for defining terms as they come up
outside of the readers own religious traditions.
Prabhavananda, Swami and
Christopher Isherwood, translator. The Song of God: Bhagavad-Gita.
A
concise edition of this Hindu classic, originally written in Sanskrit. The Bhagavad-Gita is an exposition of Vedanta
philosophy, one of the seven systems of Indian philosophy. For more information, contact the Vedanta
Press,
Prabhavananda, Swami and
Frederick Manchester. The Upanishads: Breath of the Eternal.
The
preface reads: "Our aim in this
translation has not been to achieve a literal rendering, but rather, allowing
ourselves such freedom as seemed desirable, to convey in clear and simple
English the sense and spirit of the original." Prose has been used to express the original
Sanskrit verse. One hundred and eight of
an unknown original number of Upanishads ("Secret Teachings") has
been preserved. This book contains
twelve of the most important, in the opinions of the translators.
Prabhupada, A.C Bhaktivedanta
Swami. Teachings of Lord Kapila, The Son of Devahuti.
Kapila
Muni was a sage in ancient
Contains
summaries of all 108 extant Upanishads, to include the Yoga Upanishads. Indexed with several appendices including one
on Yoga. An invaluable reference.
Zaehner, R.C. Bhagavad-Gita.
The author is the commentator. A longer, more scholarly edition of this
classic than the Prabhavananda-Isherwood translation. Contains a valuable appendix which regroups
philosophical ideas into subjects in outline form.
Anderson, Sandra and Rolf Sovik. Yoga: Mastering the Basics.
Aranya, Swami Hariharananda. Yoga
Philosophy of Patanjali.
Patanjali
may have lived in the second century A.D.
There is some
Arya, Pandit Usharbudh. Philosophy
of Hatha Yoga. Second edition.
Chapters: 1. Watching the Mind Watching the Body, 2.
Worship, 3. Karma Purification, 4. The Whole Body Language, 5. Kundalini--The
Coiled-Up Energy, 6. Hatha Yoga: Gateway to the Subtle Body. Quotes directly from several of the Yoga
Sutras by Patanjali.
Feuerstein, Georg.
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Yoga.
Contains
many illustrations of the classic Hatha Yoga asanas, definitions of terms in
Eastern Philosophy. Terms are
cross-referenced. An invaluable book to
accompany any other reading on the subject.
Contains a bibliography.
Gheranda Samhita. Translated into English by Rai Bahadur Srisa
Chandra Vasu. Third edition.
Author
unknown. Probably written in the late
seventeenth century. A manual of Hatha
Yoga. Includes Sanskrit text, consists
of 351 stanzas divided into seven chapters.
Describes 32 asanas and 25 mudras.
See also Siva Samhita. May be obtained through Nataraj Books,
Iyengar, B.K.S. Light on Yoga.
This
modern classic of Hatha Yoga has undergone revision since this edition was
published. Contains many photos of Mr.
Iyengar's mastery of yoga. This book
uses only the Sanskrit names of the postures, adding to the challenges the
beginner will face. It contains a
progression of lessons of the postures over many weeks of self-study.
Rama, Swami. Joints
and Glands Exercises. Rudolph
Ballentine, M.D., ed.
An
excellent preparatory text for individuals with limited or no experience with
exercise, or for people who cannot perform yoga postures. Contains gentle stretches and contractions
for all parts of the body. Spiral bound
for convenient use.
Rama, Swami. Lectures on Yoga: Practical Lessons on Yoga.
A
basic text covering the yamas and niyamas (observances and restraints), asanas,
pranayama, concentration, the nature of the mind, and meditation.
Samskrti and Veda. Hatha
Yoga: Manual I. Second edition.
Large
format, spiral bound. This is an
enlarged and expanded version of the manual originally published in 1975. Contains hints for beginners, asanas,
breathing exercises and sample lesson plans.
Samskrti and Judith Franks.
Hatha Yoga: Manual II.
Large
format, spiral bound. More advanced
postures and concepts, for students who have assimilated the material in Manual
I.
Saraswati, Swami
Muktibodhananda. Hatha Yoga Pradipika: The light
on Hatha Yoga.
Written
in the middle of the fourteenth century A.D. by Svatmarama Yogin. This is a translation and commentary
containing the original Sanskrit text.
One of the most important of the original texts on Yoga. Can be obtained through the Himalayan
Institute.
Siva Samhita. Translated into English by Rai Bahadur Srisa Chandra
Vasu. Fourth edition.
The
original author is unknown or credit is not given in the book. A classical work on Hatha Yoga. It was probably written in the late
seventeenth or early eighteenth century, according to Feuerstein's
Dictionary. Contains the Sanskrit text
of each stanza. Consists of 645 stanzas
divided into five chapters. Covers a
review of various schools of Indian thought, esoteric anatomy, the five pranas,
mudras, and actual yogic practices. May
be obtained through Nataraj Books in
Vishnudevananda, Swami. The
Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga.
Contains
over 140 illustrations and tables for training to accomplish the goals of Hatha
Yoga.
Yoga Philosophy
Aurobindo, Sri. Bases of Yoga.
Notes
compiled from lectures and letters of the author. Can be read randomly within the book or cover
to cover with equal benefit.
Iyengar, B.K.S. The Tree of Yoga.
Cover
note reads: "...his thoughts on
many practical and philosophical subjects, ranging from the place of yoga in
daily life to insights from Patanjali's Yoga
Sutras. He includes chapters on
family life, love and sexuality, health and the healing arts, meditation,
death, and advice to teachers. Based on
lectures and discussions with his students..."
Sivananda, Swami. Tantra
Yoga, Nada Yoga and Kriya Yoga.
Himalayas,
This
three-dimensional work on yoga is important for the way it presents these
subjects in a way that unifies them. We
can see the One Truth from three different but related angles.
Vivekananda, Swami. Raja-Yoga
or Conquering the Internal Nature.
A
classic text on the subject of Raja Yoga, the Royal Path. Is concerned with prana, psychic prana, and
the levels of thinking up to and including samadhi.
Zimmer, Heinrich.
Philosophies of
A
very readable, although at times technically exhausting analysis of the
philosophies of
Yoga Physiology
and Anatomy
Leadbeater, C. W. The
Chakras. Adyar,
Contains
methods of strengthening or developing the chakras. Use of mandalas, laya yoga and other
subjects.
Rama, Swami, Rudolph Ballentine
and Alan Hymes. Science of Breath: A Practical Guide.
Honesdale: Himalayan Institute, 1979. 166p.
Contains
clear explanations of the anatomy and functions of the breathing apparatus-
nose,
throat, lungs. Also discusses the
chakras and meditation.
Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. Moola
Bandha: The Master Key. Second edition.
First published in 1978.
Contains index of practices. A
most thorough explanation of the anatomy and physiology of the Chakra and the
Bandha.
Bloomfield, Harold H., Michael
Peter Cain and Dennis T. Jaffe. TM:
Discovering Inner Energy and Overcoming Stress.
Introduction
by Buckminster Fuller. Describes the
Transcendental Meditation Technique. An
initiation by a TM teacher is necessary for the practitioner to be within the
tradition as brought to the West by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, but the book is
helpful. It is interesting to note that
Mahesh Yogi and Swami Rama had the same guru.
Campbell, Anthony. TM and
the Nature of Enlightenment.
Leans
toward a scientific, Western-minded approach to explaining this technique of
meditation.
Czukor, Ted. Exploring Meditation Methods.
A
clear, introductory booklet which includes preparation, posture and several
techniques to try. The price is $5,
order from: Ted Czukor, Ted's Gentle
Yoga,
Goleman, Daniel. The
Varieties of the Meditative Experience.
Compares
about 12 different meditation techniques, concluding that they all have the
same ultimate goal. Foreword by Ram
Dass.
Gonda, Jan, "The Indian
Mantra" in Selected Studies,
Volume IV, History of Ancient Indian
Religion. 54p.
This article is referred to as a classic on the subject
by Harvey P. Alper, op. cit. Gonda's
definition of mantra is on page 253.
Hittleman, Richard.
Guide to Yoga Meditation.
A
clear and concise guide to the practice of yogic meditation, although the more
advanced student may find some explanations to be overly simplistic.
Keshavadas, Sadguru Sant. GAYATRI:
The Highest Meditation.
Publishers
Pvt. Ltd, 1994. 148p.
A
most readable and approachable book on the subject of meditation generally,
then embracing the subject of meditation on the Gayatri, the highest
mantra. Many Sanskrit terms are used in
the text, and definitions are provided parenthetically along the way.
Rama, Swami. Meditation and Its Practice. Honesdale: Himalayan Institute, 1992. 129p.
Contains
relaxation and breathing exercises, definition of the practice of meditation,
postures and a program for progress in meditation. Contains a glossary as well.
Sadhu Mouni. Meditation:
An Outline for Practical Study.
Part
I: Theoretical Preliminaries, Part II: Techniques of Meditation, Part III:
Regular Meditation, Part IV: Advanced Meditation, Part V: Introduction to
Contemplation. Index. Deals with emotional preparation for meditation. Effectively describes the differences between
contemplation, concentration and meditation.
Sechrist, Elsie. Meditation: Gateway to Light.
Based
on the Edgar Cayce readings. Contains a
method of meditation and prayers and affirmations. Refers to the spiritual centers by the names
of the glands, conforming to the Western tradition.
Sivananda, Swami. Japa
Yoga: A Comprehensive Treatise on Mantra-Sastra.
Contains
instruction for the use of the mala, or prayer beads. Contains an explanation of the granting of
the mantra and numerous Sanskrit mantras with their translation.
Saraswati, Swami Muktibodhananda. Swara
Yoga: The Tantric Science of Brain
Breathing.
This
book would be appropriate for someone who is well established on a path of hatha yoga
and has been on a regular schedule of meditation for a substantial period. The practices
can lead to enhanced clairvoyant capability.
Tigunait, Pandit Rajmani. The
Power of Mantra and the Mystery of Initiation.
Chapters
entitled: The Bridge to the Inner World,
Blocking and Unveiling the Light, Finding a Teacher, The Universal Mantra, The
Power of Initiation, Classes of Mantras and Their Powers; Mantra, Yantra and
Deity, Shaktipata: The Descent of Grace.
Appendices: A, Preparation for Mantra Initiation and B, How to Do a
Purash Chrana
Biographical,
Inspirational and Sacred Writings
Borysenko, Joan. Pocketful of Miracles: Prayers, Meditations,
and Affirmations to Nurture Your Spirit
Every Day of the Year.
Contains seed thoughts and prayers/practices and
spiritual exercises for each day of the year.
Boyd, Doug. Swami.
Cover
note reads: "An American's personal
exploration into the lives, teachings, and mental powers of the swamis of
Dass, Ram. Grist for the Mill. With Stephen Levine.
Part
of the Mindfulness Series. Personal
observations by Ram Dass, aka Richard Alpert.
Contains interpretations of Dharma, the Buddhist teachings, which are
not incompatible with most religious philosophy.
Dass, Ram. Remember:
Be Here Now.
A
cult classic of the account of Richard Alpert's odyssey into the life of Ram
Dass. Contains many observations about
clearing the cobwebs from our modern, Western minds and a wonderful section,
"Cook Book for a Sacred Life."
Feuerstein, Georg and Stephan
Bodian, eds. Living Yoga: A Comprehensive Guide for Daily Life. With the staff of Yoga Journal.
Thirteen
chapters divided into six parts:
Part
I: Cultivating the Body: Hatha Yoga; Part II:
Transcending the Mind: Raja Yoga;
Part III: Cultivating Love: Bhakti Yoga;
Part IV: The Path of Work: Karma
Yoga; Part V: Ritual and Beyond: Tantra
Yoga; and Part VI: The Path of Wisdom:
Jnana Yoga.
Krishnamurti, J. Think
on These Things. Edited by D.
Rajagopal.
Contains
thoughts on social ethics in the format of questions followed by Krishnamurti's
answers.
Muktananda, Swami. Play of
Consciousness.
Cover
note reads: "...a spiritual
autobiography, a guide to the workings of the awakened Kundalini, a practical
application of the principles of spiritual philosophy. Above all, it is a work of illumination,
charged with the spiritual force of its author." For more information: S.Y.D.A. Foundation,
Rama, Swami. Living
With the Himalayan Masters.
Accounts
of Swami Rama's many experiences in his spiritual life in the
Rodegast, Pat and Judith Stanton. Emmanuel’s
Book: A Manual For Living Comfortably
in the Cosmos.
Inspirational Channeled material. Also available: Emmanuel’s
Book II: The Choice for Love and Emmanuel’s
Book III: What is an Angel Doing Here?
Subramuniaswami, Satguru
Sivaya. Dancing With Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism.
Many
of the pages of this book are black and white illustrations from classical
Eastern art works. Contains a lexicon
containing many English and Sanskrit word definitions. Also contains the basic tenets of many of the
worlds religions.
Upanishads, The. Juan Mascaro,
Translator.
An
understanding of the Upanishads is
vital to a thorough grounding in the roots of Yoga Philosophy, however this
translation may be too laborious and cryptic for some readers.
Watts, Alan.
Contains
short seed thoughts which can be helpful in clearing away the cobwebs in our
spiritual lives, or for provoking a questioning attitude about life in general.
Yogananda, Paramahansa. Autobiography
of a Yogi.
Required
reading for anyone interested in understanding the teachings of the
Self-Realization Fellowship, or of the path of devotion of the yogi. Contains many photographs of Paramahansaji
and the story of his coming to the West.
Yogananda, Paramahansa. The
Master Said...: Sayings and Counsel to
disciples by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Inspirational
messages with the characteristic tenderness of this Master.
Yogananda, Paramahansa. Metaphysical
Meditations.
Contains
inspirational passages of imagery and spiritual messages which can be used as seed
thoughts for contemplation leading to meditation.
Yogi, Maharishi Mahesh. The Science of Being and The Art of Living.
Philosophy
by the founder of the Transcendental Meditation movement in the
Body Work Outside of, But
Compatible With, Yoga
Chang, Stephen T. The
Book of Internal Exercises.
Contains
exercises with very little or no movement from the discipline of Taoist
healing. Many photographs and
illustrations of positions from Hatha Yoga with the Chinese names.
Has
much in common with the yogic approach to meditation, but is in the context of
Taoist healing arts. Uses the concept of
chi rather than that of prana.
Psychology Within the
Scope of Yoga
Goleman, Daniel. Emotional Intelligence.
This book is not exactly in the framework of yoga
philosophy, but it is valuable for students of yoga because it helps to bridge
the space that sometimes exists when people neglect their emotional development
to favor the intellectual, IQ approach.
Rama, Swami and Swami Ajaya. Creative Use of Emotions. Honesdale: Himalayan Institute, 1976.