Meditate: Happiness Lies Within You

Rating:
Summary: Essential!
Review: Swami Muktananda was one of the greatest meditation teachers of the century. He came to the West in 70's and became very popular. In this book, Muktananda focuses on the essential aspect of his Yoga, known as Siddha Yoga, that is: Meditation. He said meditation was the most efficient way for all of us - his Yoga is open to all, he says - to re-connect with the divinity that lies in each of us. This path is the path of living an awakened life while living in the world. This little book is a perfect introduction to one of the most simple and yet most mysterious practices of Yoga. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, but not universal
Review: This book is an exceptional piece of literature on the subject of meditation, but it's not for everyone. Some may pick this up believing it to be an instruction manual for finding the Self, which it is not. It does have instructions for meditating, but rather than treat it like an aerobics class, Swami Muktananda concentrates on the spiritual application and universal depth of meditation. Basically, if you don't already understand a little bit about meditation and Hindu philosophy, alot of the read will be lost to you. It has many references to texts like the Upanishads and proverbs from Hindu culture that many readers will not understand, especially if they are totally new to meditation.

However, I would most certainly recommend that anyone interested in meditating or in Indian philosophy pick up this book. It should not be the first book you read on the subject, but if you've already studied philosophy and meditation, it will be a profoundly spiritual and uplifting read. Muktananda shares with us the truest and deepest purpose for practicing meditation, awareness and oneness with the Self. It is a must-read for anyone interested in reaching those depths of conciousness.