Reading list
sections:
1. General Spiritual and Philosophical
References
1a. Earth-based
spirituality, Shamanism
2.
3. Yoga Philosophy
4. Yoga Physiology and Anatomy
5. Of Interest with Children
6. Biographical, Inspirational and Sacred
Writings
7. Body Work Outside of, But Compatible With,
Yoga
8. Psychology Within the Scope of Yoga
9. Meditation
10. Music as related to the subjects of
improvisation, yoga, Eastern and Western Mysticism and psychological/psychic
issues.
11. Beginners' reading list.
Rev. John P.
Giunta, MA, FRC
________________________________________________________________________
(703) 281-5498
web: http://SpecialMind.com
email:
jpgiunta1211@aol.com
|
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 |
|
|
|
YOGA AND RELATED SUBJECTS
A
PERSONAL
Copyrightã1997, 2008, John P. Giunta
Revised
25 December 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.
Earth-based spirituality, Shamanism
Arrien, Angeles. The
A
synthesis of the shamanic traditions of the world.
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 other commentaries available,
too.
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
Of Interest With Children
De Brunhoff, Laurent. Babar's
Yoga for Elephants.
A story book, wonderful for very young children. Wall poster.
Can be appreciated by adults for its art and fantasy. Adults with knowledge of yoga should guide
children with this book because the illustrations are of an elephant performing
the postures, and humans will look different performing them!
Dennison,
Paul E. Brain Gym: Simple Activities for Whole Brain
Learning.
This pamphlet has exercises that
appear to be based on some yoga principals. This program has been used
very successfully by some teachers and whole school systems.
Khalsa,
Shakta Kaur. Fly Like a Butterfly: Yoga for
Children.
All postures are illustrated with
photos of young children.
Rozman,
Debora. Meditating with Children: The
Art of Concentration and Centering: A
Workbook on New Educational Methods Using Meditation. Boulder Creek: Planetary Publications, 1994. 154 pages.
A program of ten classes, a section
of the various meditations, guidelines for teachers or facilitators.
Stewart,
Mary and Kathy Phillips. Yoga For Children.
Full color photos and step by step
directions. Some photos show adults
practicing with the children.
Biographical,
Inspirational and Sacred Writings
The Book of Jasher, published by
the Supreme Grand Lodge of A.M.O.R.C., San Jose, California, 1934.
Mentioned in The Bible
in Joshua 10:13 and in 2 Samuel 1:18.
The Lost Books of The Bible and the Forgotten
Books of Eden, published by New American Library,
These were published separately in around 1927 but were
published together in this paperback
edition.
Barnstone, Willis and Marvin Meyer, eds. The Gnostic
Bible.
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,
Pagels, Elaine.
The Gnostic Gospels.
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?
Smith,
Richard, managing editor. The Nag
Hammidi Library in English. Revised
edition. Translated and introduced by members of the Coptic Gnostic
Library Project of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity,
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.
162p.
From the introduction:
"Yoga psychology offers a clear, precise and easily understood
conceptualization and training program in which the energy which gives rise to
such unpleasant emotional states as fear, depression, jealousy and anger, can
be channeled toward the experience of positive emotional states, such as love,
devotion and bliss."
Rama, Swami, Rudolph
Ballentine and Swami Ajaya. Yoga and Psychotherapy: The Evolution of Consciousness. Honesdale: Himalayan Institute, 1976. 327p.
Discusses the yogic concepts of the koshas, or energy
sheaths, the chakras and other Eastern concepts together with Western
psychotherapy. Contains examples of the
ways yoga can supplement and sometimes replace Western methods of
psychotherapy.
Tigunait, Pandit
Rajmani. Inner Quest: The Path of Spiritual Unfoldment.
Question and answer format with glossary. Chapters entitled: Setting Out, Clearing the
Hurdles, Moving Inward, Unlocking the Secret, Breaking the Cycle, Establishing
a Personal Practice, and The Journey's End.
Meditation
Alper, Harvey P.,
editor. Understanding Mantras.
Contains bibliographical lists and working bibliography
for the study of Mantras. One
particularly applicable chapter is "The Use of Mantra in Yogic Meditation:
The Testimony of the Pasupata",
by Gerhard Oberhammer.
Arya, Usharbudh. Superconscious Meditation. Honesdale: Himalayan Institute, 1978. 132p.
Contains chapters on the system of Superconscious
Meditation, the name given to the technique brought to us by Swami Rama, whose
guru was that of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Chapters discuss problem thoughts in meditation, ways of deepening
meditation, purification of personality and other subjects.
Baker, M. E. Penny. Meditation: A Step Beyond With Edgar Cayce.
A Western and God-Centered approach to meditation. Contains a bibliography of Western works on
the subject.
Blofeld, John. Mantras: Sacred Words of Power.
The author has travelled extensively in the East. The mantras given come from a variety of
traditions.
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
Music and Other Arts as Related to the
Subjects OF Improvisations, Yoga,
Eastern and Western
Mysticism, and Psychological/Psychic Issues
A
Personal
Andrews, Ted. Sacred Sounds: Transformation Through Music and Word.
Publications, 1998.
214 pages.
Contains two major
sections: “The Secret Power of the Word”
and “The Renaissance of the Bardic Traditions.”
Also has a select bibliography.
Beaulieu, John. Music and Sound in the Healing Arts: An Energy Approach. Barrytown: Station
Hill Press, 1987.
144 pages.
A work on the use of tuning forks and toning for
healing. Especially helpful for getting
over the idea that the only pitches one can use are those in tune with concert
pitch. These frequencies are the
Pythagorian system, or just intonation.
References to Eastern philosophy.
Beck, Guy L. Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound.
Contains information which connects the ideas of
spirituality, yoga philosophy and sound. Gives lineage of numerous classical
Sanskrit texts and several yoga philosophies
Glossary, index and extensive bibliography. Some knowledge of yoga philosophical terms
and texts strongly recommended.
Bernard,
Patrick. Music as Yoga: Discover the Healing Power of Sound.
Chapters are The Effect of Sound
Vibrations, The Power of Words, The way of Song and Listening, Mantra Yoga and
the Healing Names of God. Also has notes, glossary, bibliography and a
discography of 12 CDs of healing music by the author.
Bernstein, Seymour.
With Your Own Two Hands:
Self-Discovery Through Music.
Contains useful preliminary chapters such as, “Why Do
You Practice?” and “Why Don’t You Practice?” The book contains specific help for pianists
in about 45 pages, but much of the
material translates well for other instruments.
There is no material in this book on
the subjects of meditation, yoga, or Eastern philosophies, but there is a
reference to the book Zen in the Art of Archery in the context
of the discussion about practicing.
Bruckner-Ruggeberg.
"Music and the Indian Yoga Practice."
Journal of the Indian
Musicological Society. Vol 14, (no.
1, 1983), p. 19-24.
Caldwell, Robert.
The Performer Prepares.
Contemporary approach to preparation for performance
covering all phases of preparation and follow-up.
Campbell, Don G., The
Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the
Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit.
Campbell, Don G., ed. Music
and Miracles: A Companion to Music: Physician for Times to Come.
Twenty-five essays grouped into the following parts: I
The Miracle of Sound, II The Body of Sound, III Instruments and Healing, IV
Music Therapy and Transformation, V Therapeutic Healing With Sound, and VI
Sound As World Healer.
Campbell, Don G. Music:
Physician for Times to Come.
An anthology. On
dedication page: "We trust that the
magic of sound, scientifically applied, will contribute in ever greater measure
to the relief of human suffering, to a higher development and a richer
integration of the human personality, to the harmonious synthesis of all human
"notes" of all "group chords and melodies"--until there
will be the greater symphony of the One Humanity." Roberto Assagioli, M.D.
Campbell, Don G. The
Roar of Silence: Healing Powers of Breath, Tone & Music.
Dedication:
"To the wounded listener and sleeping musician in each of
us." A series of meditations and
practical exercises using breath and the voice.
Contains bibliography and discography.
Author is a consultant in psychoacoustics.
Cornell, Judith,
Ph.D. MANDALA: Luminous Symbols for
Healing. Quest Books, 1994.
A workbook recommending sound, music, coloring pencils
and black paper for making your own mandalas.
Cousto, Hans. The
Cosmic Octave: Origin of Harmony.
Originally published in the German Language. Exhaustive formulae on the overtone series,
times and durations of celestial motion.
Gives frequencies of audible pitches which correspond to the celestial
frequencies.
Danielou, Alain. Music and the Power of Sound: The Influence of Tuning and Interval on Consciousness.
First published as Introduction
to the Study of Musical Scales by the Indian Society,
Drury, Nevill. Music
for Inner Space: Music for Meditation and Visualization.
Part One: Sound
and Symbol
1:
Music and Altered States of Consciousness
2:
Music and Archetype
3.
Music for Inner Space
Part Two: Myth and
Cosmos
4: Self-Initiation, Kabbalah, Tarot, Signs of
the Zodiac, Egyptian Book of the Dead, Kundalini Yoga.
Gaynor,
Mitchell L., MD. The Healing Power of Sound: Recovery from Life-Threatening Illness
Using Sound, Voice, and Music.
Has a good number of exercises
within the text of the book, plus bibliograpy, endnotes, list of resources and
index.
Gonzalez-Wippler, Migene. Santeria: African Magic in
Contains authentic rhythms of Latin-America along with
information about the religion of Santeria.
Green, Barry. The
Inner Game of Music.
Some chapter titles:
7. Letting go, 8. Coping with
obstacles, 9. Improving the quality of musical experience. 10. Teaching and
learning, 13. Integration and balance, 15.
Improvisation, composition and creativity.
Gulvani, V. R.
"Addendum (in Marathi)." Journal
of the Indian Musicological Society.
Vol. 11, (no. 1-2, 1980), p. 66+.
This is a follow-up article for the selection by
Musalagoankar, V. "Music and Sound in Yoga." Translation will be
necessary except for readers of Marathi.
Hall, Manly Palmer. Secret
Teachings of All Ages: An Encyclopedic
Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical
Philosophy.
"Being an interpretation of the secret teachings
concealed within the rituals, allegories and mysteries of all ages." Many articles on music from the alchemists'
perspective, including mystical drawings by Robert Fludd and others. Indexed.
Hamel, Peter Michael. Through
Music to the Self: How to Appreciate and Understand Music Anew. Translated from German by Peter
Lemesurier.
Major sections of the book are: 1 Old and New Paths in
Western Music, 2 Encounter with Non-European Music, 3 The Esoteric World of
Sound and Research into Harmonics, 4 Music Between the Worlds, 5 Social
Practice and Exercise Methods, also contains appendices, texts of other
authors, musical examples and illustrations.
Hanser, Suzanne B.
Music Therapist’s Handbook.
A work designed for health professionals and students in
the field of music therapy.
Hodges, Donald A., Editor. Handbook
of Music Psychology. Second
edition.
Text for graduate level course work at
Jaideva Singh. The
Yoga of Vibration and Divine Pulsation.
"A Translation of the Spanda Karikas with
Ksemaraja's Commentary: The Spanda Nirnaya." From the foreword: "Vasugupta is the author. Vasugupta is the ninth-century Kashmiri sage
to whom the foundational text of the Siva-Sutra-s is said to have been
inspirationally revealed."
Khanna, Madhu. Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity.
Profuse
illustrations, diagrams and exercises.
Khan, Hazrat Inayat.
The Music of Life. New
Sufi Author: Part
I: The Mystery of Sound, Part II: The Harmony of Life, Part III: The Knowledge
of Vibration, Part IV: The Analysis of Atoms, Part V: The Harmonious Grouping
of Atoms.
Khan, Hazrat Inayat.
The Mysticism of Sound and Music. Revised edition.
A metaphysical work of great aesthetic and poetic
sensitivity.
Ling, Dorothy. The Original Art of Music.
From the introduction:
This work is one of a series of monographs “which represent important
insights into the intrinsic relationships which exist between the arts and the
individual and the arts and society.”
“Dorothy Ling’s life and work are based on the belief that the arts—all
of the arts—inform all of school life, and that the are not to be treated as
separate subjects. Contains discussions
of archetypal material and the earliest roots of music.
Lingerman, Hal A. The
Healing Energies of Music.
The author's own views on many selections of music and
the emotional implications of the musical effects. Bibliography.
Maisel, Eric. Staying Sane in the Arts: A Guide for
Creative and Performing Artists.
Maisel is a psychotherapist based in
McClain, Ernest. The
Myth of Invariance: The Origin of the
Gods, Mathematics, and Music From the Rg Veda to Plato.
Many numerical tables attempting to link numbers to music
and to poetry. Footnotes, index. Appendices of tables of numbers.
McClellan, Randall. The
Healing Forces of Music: History, Theory and Practice. Rockport, Mass: Element, Inc., 1991. 213p.
Contains bibliography, notes. Cover note: "The first comprehensive
cross-cultural study of the philosophy & methodology of sound & music
for therapeutic purposes."
Meyer, Leonard B. Emotion and Meaning in Music.
Musalagoankar, V.
"Music and Sound in Yoga." Journal of the Indian Musicological
Society. Vol. 11, (1980, n. 1-2), p.
44+.
See also the entry by Gulvani, V. R., "Addendum (in
Marathi)," although most readers will need the assistance of a translator.
Nachmanovitch,
Stephen. Free Play: Improvisation in Life
and Art.
Centers around musical improvisation, but can be applied
to any discipline. Contains many
insights through foreign words and their etymologies.
Ostrander, Sheila, and
Lynn Schroeder. Superlearning.
Encourages the use of music and rhythmic breathing to
enhance memory work and the learning process.
Listening list, suggestions for format of sessions. Section IV has exercises: yoga,
visualization, children's exercises...
Ristad, Elois. A Soprano On Her Head.
Help for performers, contains excerpts from real
workshops conducted by the author.
Robbins, Lois B. Waking
Up! In the Age of Creativity.
Ronget, Gilbert. Music
and Trance: A Theory of the Relations
Between Music and Possession.
Salmon, Paul G. and Robert
G. Meyer. Notes From the Green Room:
Coping With Stress and Anxiety in Music Performance.
Gives practical help on self-assessment and the cultivation
of more healthful attitudes toward performing.
Chapter headings include: The Performer, The Psychology of Coping with
Performance Stress, The Whole Performer, Stress and Performing, The Nature of
Anxiety, Getting Help for Stress and Anxiety, The Cognitive Side of Performing,
Basic Stress Management Skills, and Anxiety and Stress In Perspective. Written
by two psychologists from the
Steiner, Rudolf. Speech
and Drama. Translated by Mary
Adams.
Cover notes:
"During the last two decades of the nineteenth century the
Austrian-born Rudolf Steiner (1961-1925) became a respected and well-published
scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, particularly known for his
work on Goethe's scientific writings.
After the turn of the century he began to develop his earlier
philosophical principles into an approach to methodical research of psychological
and spiritual phenomena."
Page 7:
"Rudolf Steiner saw in art a redemptive and healing power for man's
life of soul..."
Stewart, R.J. The
Spiritual Dimensions of Music: Altering Consciousness for Inner Development.
Discusses changes that are possible in moods and
emotions through chanting, the use of musical harmonics and particular
sustained intervals. From the cover
notes: “He also draws on the works of Hermes
Trismegistus, Pythagoras, Dr. John Dee, and the Qabalists and discusses the
musical implications of the Tree of Life, the Chakras, and the Four Elements.”
Sudnow, David. Ways of
the Hand: The Organization of Improvised
Conduct.
Views and describes the techniques of improvisation at
the keyboard in terms of the conveniences of the hand and the keys which lie
beneath the fingers in different positions.
Many photographs of players' hands on the keyboard, ostensibly while
playing.
Tame, David. The
Secret Power of Music.
“The Transformation of Self and Society Through Musical
Energy” is the subtitle on the cover.
Contains chapters on Chinese and Indian music, Jazz and the Blues, the
Physics of OM, and the mysteries of the Pythagorian Comma.
Winston, Shirley Rabb.
Music as the Bridge.
Spiritual philosophy of music, based on the writings of
Edgar Cayce.
Books That Stimulate Creative Thinking
Ash, Mel.
Shaving the Inside of Your Skull:
Crazy Wisdom for Discovering Who You Really
Are.
Bromley, Karen, Linda Irwin-DeVitis and Marcia
Modlo. Graphic Organizers: Visual Strategies
for Active Learning.
Fried, Robert L.
The Passionate Teacher: A
Practical Guide.
John-Steiner, Vera. Notebooks of the Mind: Explorations of Thinking. Revised edition. New
Langer, Ellen J.
The Power of Mindful Learning.
McNiff, Shaun.
Trust the Process: An Artist’s
Guide to Letting Go.
Tufte, Edward R. Visual Explanations: Images and
Quantities, Evidence and Narrative.
Beginners'
Reading List
The following books are available through the Himalayan
Press, 1-800-822-4547
Anderson, Sandra and Rolf Sovik. Yoga: Mastering the Basics.
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.
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.
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.