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Lessons in GNANI YOGA – The Yoga of WisdomWe are pleased to offer thousands of Books for the Kindle. Click on our Editor Name (eBook-Ventures) next to the book title above to view all of the titles that are currently available.

What kind of book is Lessons in Gnani Yoga?

The only description of the book is its title, Lessons in Gnani Yoga – The Yoga of Wisdom.

What else does the description say?

The rest of the text is a note from the editor name eBook-Ventures, saying it offers thousands of books for the Kindle. It does not describe the contents, so it may be an e-book, but the Amazon page is the place to confirm that.

This summary is based on the book description on the Amazon page. The description is brief, so look at the Amazon page for the full contents.

What are the paths of yoga?

Traditional teaching describes several paths: the way of action, of devotion, of knowledge and of mental discipline. “Jnana” or “gnani” yoga is usually explained as the path of knowledge, using study, questioning and reflection rather than postures. A short title like “Lessons in Gnani Yoga” signals that emphasis on wisdom and understanding.

That is a different emphasis from the typical Western class. The NCCIH yoga page notes that yoga in the United States typically emphasizes postures, breathing and meditation, while classical yoga includes other elements. If you read about the philosophical paths, you are looking at a part of the tradition that a fitness class often leaves out.

Reading is low-risk, but if a text suggests breathing exercises, fasting or long meditation, start small and ask a doctor if you have any condition. The NIH meditation summary from NCCIH says meditation is usually low-risk, with limited research on harms. If a practice distresses you, stop and talk to a health professional. Choose the path that suits your temperament, and be willing to change.

Related reading on this blog: What Is Yoga? and Where Did Yoga Come From? Its Meaning, Early Texts and What Scholars Can Say

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Yoga Vashisht or Heaven Found
by Rishi Singh Gherwal

Excerpts from the shorter Yoga Vasishta

This is a translation of the Laghu Yoga Vashishta, traditionally written by the sage Vasistha, one of the teachers of Rama. This is the ‘shorter’ Yoga Vashishta. This is not an academic or critical translation, but it may appeal to the casual reader. The author of this book, Singh Gherwal, may have been a westerner with a Hindu pseudonym. He states that he is a teacher of Kundalini Yoga. Gherwal wrote a number of popularized books on this and related topics.

We have two Yoga Vashishts, one going under the name great, the other small. This is the small book; both hooks are the work of the Rishi Vashisht, and it is the book for those who are seeking truth but not for the ignorant. It is the best book on wisdom and gives seven states of wisdom by understanding the liberation easily to be attained, and it also gives us the seven states of ignorance. It gives spiritual food for those who hunger. “No one can miss the God consciousness within,” Swami Ram Tritha once said. It is true and I agree with the Swami. It is the best work for self realization. In it, one will find the answer to, who created this universe; the cause of and how to cure diseases. It reveals the mastery of the Kundalini, the Mother of the Universe, and her power; how to perform levitation, and the secret of the long lived Yogi.

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NANO Yoga combines four elements to bring about an intense whole person workout in about 15 minutes. Results include, a cleansing of the inside of the body, steadiness of emotions, improved balance and a better sense of well being. It is a tri-binding life experience for whole person clarity. By reducing angst the mind becomes clear to pray, the prayer enters the cells thru focused breathing and nerve channels that are opened during asana. The spirit resides in all the cells and is awakened thru the synergy of the four components of NANO Yoga. Just like an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This routine done 5 times a week will cleanse the internal organs and oxygenate the entire system, thus increasing your level of fitness. The key to NANO Yoga is its small time requirement and its efficiency in producing such great levels of balance, flexibility, toning, weight control and mental focus. Generally your blood pressure will stableize at a good level and your outlook on life will improve.

Book: NANO Yoga by Doug Hayward
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This book presents a series of lectures about the higher stages of man’s spiritual development. The lectures describe the methodologies of the main philosophico-religious traditions that existed in the past or exist now on the Earth. This material illustrates the fact that the methodology of spiritual development is one for all people and that in this way God leads all people to Perfection. The book is addressed to everyone aspiring to find and to realize the meaning of our lives on the Earth, to cognize our common Creator, to achieve spiritual Perfection.

What does Forest Lectures on the Highest Yoga cover?

The book description says the book presents a series of lectures about the higher stages of a person’s spiritual development, and describes the methods of the main philosophical and religious traditions of the past and present.

What is the author’s main argument?

The description presents the author’s view that the method of spiritual development is the same for all people and that in this way God leads all people to Perfection. This is the author’s belief as the description states it.

Who wrote it?

Vladimir Antonov is named as the author in the title.

Who is the intended reader?

The book description says the book is addressed to everyone who wants to find the meaning of life on Earth, to know our common Creator and to achieve spiritual Perfection.

Everything above comes from the book description on its Amazon page.

What are mind and body practices?

Spiritual-development lectures sit in the large category the NCCIH mind and body practices overview calls mind and body practices, which includes yoga, meditation and relaxation techniques. These practices combine focused attention with movement, breath or contemplation, and they are studied for stress, pain and general wellness.

A talk about higher stages of development is a statement of belief, not a medical claim, so read it as such. If you try a practice described in a lecture, apply the usual checks: Who teaches it? What is the risk? What happens if you stop? The NCCIH overview of meditation and mindfulness says meditation usually carries few risks, though few studies have examined possible harms.

Ask a doctor first if you have a mental health condition. A qualified teacher is better than a transcript for hands-on methods.

More on this blog: Hatha Yoga Beyond the Workout: What “Hatha” Means, Its Traditional Aim and How to Practice Safely and Where Did Yoga Come From? Its Meaning, Early Texts and What Scholars Can Say

Book: Forest Lectures on the Highest Yoga by Vladimir Antonov
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Ashram is the general term for a study center, retreat house, or monastic community in Hinduism, the millennia-old religious tradition of India. Ashrams of various kinds are now found throughout North America, and are popular venues for spiritual retreats, workshops, and classes.
Lighting the Lamp of Wisdom takes you into a typical week of retreat inside an ashram to demystify the ashram experience and show you what to expect from your own visit. You will experience all the elements of a typical day and week, including:

The colorful puja, or worship services
Meditation practices and yoga classes
Classes on Hindu scriptures
Chanting and music
Satsang: an informal talk with the ashram’s guru
Work practice
…and much more.

You’ll also meet some of the people who visit ashrams to hear their reasons for going there, as well as the spiritual benefits they derive from the experience. Also included are a helpful glossary, a list of books for further reading, and a directory to ashrams in
North America that will enable you to locate one near you and set up your own visit.

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