Meditation and Spiritual Life

Author: Swami Yatiswarananda
Publisher: Advaita Ashram
Year: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 705
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8175052953

Description

This book, a compilation of class-talks given by the author to groups of earnest spiritual aspirants in Europe, the U.S.A. and India, is a practical manual of spiritual life with special emphasis on meditation. Though designed for the use of religious people in general, it is specially intended for those who sincerely practice prayer, Japa and meditation, and are eager to attain some spiritual fulfillment.

The true seeker of Truth will find in it simple but valuable guidance regarding preliminary preparations, the different techniques of meditation, the various obstacles that are to be overcome, the nature of genuine spiritual experiences, and other important details of meditative life which can otherwise be gained only through intimate contact with an illumined guru.

Contents

PART 1
THE SPIRITUAL IDEAL
1. The spiritual Quest
2. The Ideal of Super conscious Experience
3. The Soul and its Destiny
4. Different Conceptions about God
5. Worldly Duties and Spiritual Life
6. Conditions of Spiritual Life


PART 2
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
[i] Preparations

7. Walking on the Razor’s Edge
8. The Guru and Spiritual Guidance
9. Association with the Wise
10. Renunciation and Detachment
11. Purity of Mind-A Fundamental need in Spiritual Life
12. The Problem of sex in Spiritual Life
13. Practice of Brahmacarya or Continence
14. Strength
15. Integration of Personality and Inner Poise
16. Love of God
17. Self-Surrender

[ii] Techniques

18. The Path of Yoga-Vedanta synthesis
19. Essentials of Meditative Life
20. Concentration and Meditation
21. Some Practical Hints on Meditative Life
22. Place of Prayer in Spiritual Life
23. Mystic Worship
24. The Power of the Divine Name
25. Formless Meditation
26. Practice of the Presence of God

PART III

APIRITUAL EXPERIENCE

27. From the Unreal to the Real
28. Spiritual Transformation
29. Reactions to Sadhana
30. Reality of Spiritual Experience
31. Spiritual Unfoldment
32. The Attainment of Real Freedom in this Life
33. Life in Freedom
34. Footprints on the Sands of Time

PART IV
SPIRITUAL TITBITS

INDEX
Index I
Index to Stories, Anecdotes and Psychological cases occurring in the Book

Index II
Index to Sanskrit verses quoted in the Book

Index III
General word and subject Index