(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 87 pages) This book is an expansion of the seven-page Summary of Practices outline which I have used for teaching and training at Abhyasa Ashram (Florida, USA) and Sadhana... More > Mandir (Rishikesh, India) from time to time since 1996, and directly follows the outline on the first or summary page of that handout. The purpose of this longer book is to complement meditation retreats, classes, and one-to-one coaching sessions. The outline has been gradually revised to make it ever more clear as an expression of the systematic practice of meditation as taught to me and the world in general by Swami Rama. Similarly, I will continue to revise this book to make it increasingly clear as a learning aid to practicing systematic meditation of the tradition of the Himalayan masters. In loving service, Swami J (Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati)< Less
(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 25 pages) Yoga Nidra means Yogic Sleep. It is a state of conscious Deep Sleep. In Meditation, you remain in the Waking state of consciousness, and gently focus the mind, while... More > allowing thought patterns, emotions, sensations, and images to arise and go on. However, in Yoga Nidra, you leave the Waking state, go past the Dreaming state, and go to Deep Sleep, yet remain awake. While Yoga Nidra is very relaxing, it is also used by Yogis to purify the Samskaras, the deep impressions that are the driving force behind Karma. The form of Yoga Nidra described in this article can be called Advanced Yoga Nidra. Unfortunately, almost any guided practice that brings a modicum of relaxation is now called Yoga Nidra. Therefore, it is now virtually essential that we use another term, such as Authentic Yoga Nidra, Traditional Yoga Nidra, or Advanced Yoga Nidra. (This article is from SwamiJ.com.)< Less
(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 87 pages) This book is an expansion of the seven-page Summary of Practices outline which I have used for teaching and training at Abhyasa Ashram (Florida, USA) and Sadhana... More > Mandir (Rishikesh, India) from time to time since 1996, and directly follows the outline on the first or summary page of that handout. The purpose of this longer book is to complement meditation retreats, classes, and one-to-one coaching sessions. The outline has been gradually revised to make it ever more clear as an expression of the systematic practice of meditation as taught to me and the world in general by Swami Rama. Similarly, I will continue to revise this book to make it increasingly clear as a learning aid to practicing systematic meditation of the tradition of the Himalayan masters. In loving service, Swami J (Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati)< Less
(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 32 pages) The OM Mantra is a roadmap for sadhana, spiritual practices (written as either AUM or OM). It is not for the person who seeks only the shallow waters of spiritual... More > life, but rather for those who strive to realize in direct experience the depth of the Absolute Reality. There are four main levels of consciousness outlined in the OM Mantra, along with three transition levels, which is a total of seven levels. Each of these is experienced on the inner journey of meditation and contemplation. It is important to be aware of the fact that these levels of consciousness are realities that exist universally, regardless of whether or not one uses the OM Mantra or the visual OM symbol in any way. In either case, the underlying principles are extremely useful for all seekers in purifying or clearing the mind, and seeking the direct experience of deeper truths. (This article is from SwamiJ.com.)< Less
(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 270 pages) For quite a few years people have been asking me about having a printed copy of the Yoga Sutras pages on the SwamiJ.com website. Because of the print-on-demand... More > technology provided by Lulu.com, this is now available. This “book” is virtually a copy and paste of the pages from the website. There has been some slight reformatting to make things fit well, but it is basically identical to the website. From time to time I will likely update this “book” as the website is updated.
I sincerely hope that you find this useful in your journey of meditation. I have attempted to make the translations and descriptions as practical as possible so that you may easily incorporate the principles into your daily meditation practice.
In loving service,
Swami J
(Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati)< Less
(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 32 pages) The word Karma literally means action. It may appear that Karma is happening to us, as if some outside force is causing good things or bad things to come to us.... More > However, it is really our own inner conditionings and processes that are leading us to experience outer effects or consequences in relation to our own actions. To understand the meaning of Karma, and to reduce its control through Yoga, one needs to understand another term, Samskara. Karma literally means actions, and those actions come from the deep impressions of habit called Samskaras. These two act together, with our actions and speech creating Samskaras, and those leading to actions or Karma. This is something that with which all of us are already familiar, whether or not we use the word Karma to describe it. We can choose our own future Karma if we are willing to put in the effort to learn how to do it. (This article is from SwamiJ.com.)< Less
(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 63 pages) The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali succinctly outlines the art and science of Yoga meditation for Self-Realization. It is a process of systematically encountering,... More > examining, and transcending each of the various gross and subtle levels of false identity in the mind field, until the jewel of the true Self comes shining through. This is an interpretive translation of the Yoga Sutra, expanding the number of English words, so as to allow the practical instructions to be clearer. For example, sutra 1.2 defines Yoga with some 25 English words, rather than only 4 Sanskrit words. The practices of the Yoga Sutras are extremely practical, though it can seem quite complicated when trying to sort through the language. By providing expanded, interpretive translations, the practical meaning of the suggestions more easily comes through. The individual transliterated Sanskrit words also have a large number of English translations, so as to give a more thorough understanding.< Less
(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 49 pages) The path of the Himalayan masters is well described by Swami Rama in his many books, videos and audio tapes. This paper is but a footnote in comparison to the wisdom... More > which Swami Rama has left us. It is hoped that this paper will help you succinctly grasp the principles, so that when you study his teachings you will more easily assimilate the depth of what he has to say. This paper is designed to help you to better know what to look for when you’re studying Swami Rama’s descriptions of the path to enlightenment, which he has continually told us is easy and systematic, but that he has also often said none of us understood or was doing. If we diligently pursue the wisdom he has given us, maybe we can actually under-stand and do what it is he has suggested for so many years. And maybe, just maybe, we will find that he has told us the truth—that it is both systematic and easy.< Less
(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 42 pages) Bindu means Point or Dot, is sometimes likened to a Pearl, and is often related to the principle of a Seed. There literally is a stage of Meditation in which all... More > experiences collapse, so to speak, into a point from which they all arose in the first place. Bindu is near the end of the subtlest aspect of mind, after which one transcends mind. It is near the end of time, space, and causation, and is the doorway to the Absolute. Bindu is the convergence point of Meditation, Contemplation, Prayer, and Mantra, and is part of the mystical, esoteric aspect of many, if not most religions and meditative traditions. Bindu is an actual, experienced reality, which is the convergence point of the highest principles and practices of Yoga, Vedanta, and Tantra. Seeking the Bindu serves as an organizing principle and focal point for all of the practices intended to lead one to direct experience. (This article is from SwamiJ.com)< Less
(8 1/2 x 11, B&W, 270 pages) For quite a few years people have been asking me about having a printed copy of the Yoga Sutras pages on the SwamiJ.com website. Because of the print-on-demand... More > technology provided by Lulu.com, this is now available. This “book” is virtually a copy and paste of the pages from the website. There has been some slight reformatting to make things fit well, but it is basically identical to the website. From time to time I will likely update this “book” as the website is updated.
I sincerely hope that you find this useful in your journey of meditation. I have attempted to make the translations and descriptions as practical as possible so that you may easily incorporate the principles into your daily meditation practice.
In loving service,
Swami J
(Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati)< Less
Abhyasa Ashram is a meditation center which practices universal meditation as taught by the ancient lineage of yogis of the cave monasteries of the Himalayas, especially as transmitted through Swami Rama. The tradition has no name, and is not affiliated with any of the institutions or religions of the plains of India or other countries surrounding the Himalayas, although individual meditators may personally align themselves with a wide variety of religions or institutions. We may refer to the tradition as "the tradition of the Himalayan masters" or "the Himalayan tradition", but that is for the sake of convenience, and is not a style or brand name as is popular these days. Our methods of meditation and contemplation involve systematic awareness of all levels of our being, including actions/senses, body, breath, mind, finally resting in the awareness of the Self (atman) which is one with the universal Self (brahman).
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