A systematic manual for learning the history and lifestyle of Kriya Yoga, the tradition of Yogananda that goes back through Sri Yukteswar to Lahiri Mahasaya. Roy Davis was initiatesd by Yogananda himself 50 years ago and is thus in the direct line of transmission of this movement. The seven lessons are systematically set out with exercise at the end of each chapters. The serious student will gain a great deal from careful reading and folowing the practices outlines in the book .

Introducing the Serenity Meditation. In 1985, while visiting Chaing Mai in northern Thailand, the author asks a monk to teach him meditation. The monk replies that he cannot, but his teacher might. His teacher is Chief Priest of Sanpatong. No farang (foreigner of European descent) had ever asked him to teach meditation, yet he readily agrees to teach the author. He speaks no English. During the next month, using the monk as interpreter, he diligently teaches the Serenity Meditation. Initiation into the Serenity Meditation immediately propels the author on a most magnificent journey, transforming his life and consciousness. His drug addiction evaporates and he harvests other fruits of the spirit – a loving, compassionate heart filled with peace and joy. This book chronicles his journey along the spiritual path. It is the journey from identifying himself as a separate body-mind-personality self to experiencing his essential Self as an expression of Infinite Consciousness-Existence. This Spiritual Autobiography and Meditation Handbook describes how he gradually explores layer, beneath layer, beneath layer of his mind and being – sometimes referred as “peeling the onion.” Over the years, the author’s meditation practice has proven to be divine psychotherapy. In these pages, he shares how he learns to move from the False Self (the self developed in his own likeness rather than in the likeness of God) to the True Self (the image of God in which every human being is created). It has been, and continues to be, a journey teaching him how to relax and learn to “let go and let God.” Spiritual Autobiography and Meditation Handbook is also a manual. It contains sufficient information and techniques to allow the reader to begin or deepen a personal meditation practice. Through God’s grace, this intensive meditation practice may lead serious truth seekers to Self- and God- realization. Meditation is a relaxed, focused, uninterrupted awareness. RELAXED AWARENESS Meditation requires the ability to “let go and let God.” If you are unable to relax, deep meditation is unlikely. (Capital letters refer to headings in the Table of Contents.) Probably the easiest way to relax is to focus on belly breathing. The DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING EXERCISE is a good introduction. If you are a chest breather and have difficulty breathing into your belly, lie in THE CROCODILE POSTURE. This posture will teach you the appropriate muscles to use to breathe diaphragmatically. When you are a proficient belly breather, then master Three Part Breathing (Deergha Swaasam) described by Swami Satchidananda in his article THE BREATH OF LIFE. PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION and AUTOGENIC TRAINING INSTRUCTIONS provide you with a powerful entry into deep relaxation. THERMAL BIOFEEDBACK and ELECTRODERMAL BIOFEEDBACK will help you. Begin your meditation/prayer practice with ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING. [If your nose is congested, do a NETI (NASAL) WASH first.] FOCUSED AWARENESS SERENITY MEDITATION and MINDFULNESS (VIPASSANA) MEDITATION INSTRUCTIONS are clearly written and include folks you can contact if you have any questions. Mantra meditation (FOCUS WORD OR PHRASE), THE METHOD OF CHRISTIAN CENTERING PRAYER, Kriya Pranayama Meditation, and the TECHINIQUE OF PRIMORDIAL SOUND AND LIGHT CONTEMPLATION are all simple, but powerful, meditation techniques. UNINTERRUPTED AWARENESS For most folks, to achieve “uninterrupted awareness” requires a great deal of practice. The mind is like a wild, drunken monkey trapped in a cage. To tame it requires a lot of loving patience. The author has now been meditating for almost thirty years, and there still are days that he experiences “monkey mind.” When he reminds himself that God loves him just as he is, he is encouraged and continues his practice. To be successful in meditation/prayer usually requires consistent effort, determination, and practice over a long period of time. It also requires you to develop a strong moral foundation. YOGA PHILOSOPHY, INTEGRAL YOGA® and RAJA YOGA: THE YOGA OF MEDITATION expound this truth. Until you live a virtuous life, success in meditation/prayer is doubtful. How does one who covets, lies, cheats, steals, kills, and engages in sexual misconduct quiet the mind? That mind will always be agitated! You may learn powerful meditation techniques but your life and consciousness will not be transformed. You will never harvest the fruits of the spirit – a loving, compassionate heart filled with peace and joy. Remember, meditation/prayer is not about getting high; it is not about bliss. Often, the author has to remind himself not to be too satisfied resting in Bliss-consciousness. As much as he loves it, that is not his goal. Rather, his goal is Self- and God-realization. The author once asked Roy Eugene Davis, his guru (teacher), how he could become fully Self- and God-realized. Roy laughed and said that he wished he could tell the author but he could not. Then he gently explained that is a path the author had to discover for himself. You, too, will have to discover the path for yourself. The author wishes you God speed on this very special journey and stands ready to assist you in any way that he can.

"A hospice physician relates stories about the end-of-life spiritual wisdom of several dying patients and their families in order to offer seven profound lessons to change one's perspective toward suffering, life, and death"--Provided by publisher.

In this newly revised and updated edition of Conscious Living, Conscious Aging, you will find an empowering guide with practical tools to help live a passionate, fulfilling, growth-oriented life. The baby boomer generation is reaching retirement age with unprecedented good health and resources, and is no longer satisfied with their parents’ approach to aging. Many older adults are seeking an empowering vision for their future but find that hard to come by in a world that glorifies youth and has largely forgotten the gifts that can accompany the life stage of elderhood. With this expanded and updated 10th anniversary edition of Conscious Living, Conscious Aging, you will find a contemporary manual filled with practices and tools to help you navigate your elder years with purpose and clarity. Ron Pevny’s provocative model of “conscious eldering” opens the door to the rich possibilities of intentionally growing into elderhood, as contrasted with merely growing old. Through advice, practices, and personal stories, this book will help you distill wisdom from your many years of life experience, navigate loss and grief, identify new passions and goals, and remain engaged and relevant as you enter life’s later chapters, creating a lasting legacy and a healthier world for the generations to follow. It’s time to engage with family, community, your spiritual source, and the world, which needs your talents. Don’t just grow old. Aim high and claim the gifts of elderhood.

Written for all wishing to begin or deepen their meditation/contemplative prayer practice. Readers will encounter information and inspiration helpful on their spiritual journeys. Meditation Handbook guides you through the art of meditation/contemplative prayer describing its three major components: Relaxed, Focused, Uninterrupted Awareness.

The author recounts his life experiences following his year-long journey circling the world. This is the fifth book in the series covering his life from birth to elder age.

Achieve Success and Prosperity through the Principles of Yoga Although millions of Westerners practice yoga simply for its health benefits, the philosophy and wisdom behind the multifaceted discipline have far more to offer. In The Jewel of Abundance, award-winning author and Kriya Yoga teacher Ellen Grace O’Brian reveals an overlooked aspect of yoga: its powerful teachings on prosperity. She draws upon the ancient Vedic tradition of yoga philosophy and practice and shows how spirituality and earthly success can complement each other, leading to realization of the higher Self. O’Brian presents a clear explanation of both the philosophy of yoga and the nuts and bolts of practice, such as setting up a daily meditation routine, incorporating mantras, discerning how to cooperate with universal principles for complete well-being, and cultivating mindfulness in action. Along the way, she illustrates her lessons with personal stories and timeless sayings from great sages, both Eastern and Western. With O’Brian’s insightful guidance, readers will discover an inexhaustible source of abundance that is available to them whenever they look within.

Based on the lectures delivered by the author in Singapore during 1991 and 1992.

A hospice doctor and caregiver shares 7 inspirational lessons she’s learned from her patients—plus daily practices to help you incorporate them into your life. “Clearly and succinctly written, and with deeply profound insights . . . highly recommended.” —Ken Wilber, author of The Integral Vision Karen Wyatt has been privileged to share the final months, weeks, days and moments with many of her patients. This unique experience has given her a profound insight into death and dying. In this book she shares her story and the stories of her patients, providing us with 7 key lessons that the dying can teach us. • Lesson 1: Suffering: Embrace Your Difficulties • Lesson 2: Love: Let Your Heart Be Broken • Lesson 3: Forgiveness: Hold No Resentments • Lesson 4: Presence: Dwell in the Present Moment • Lesson 5: Purpose: Manifest Your Highest Potential • Lesson 6: Surrender: Let Go of Expectations • Lesson 7: Impermanence: Face Your Fear Each lesson is a wake-up call inviting to us to live our lives more fully, with more connection and less regret. With each lesson Karen provides a clear analysis of the importance of that lesson and then goes on to share daily practices on how we can live the teachings as a spiritual practice.

"All yoga practices are preparation for focusing the mind during meditation," notes renowned yogi Stephen Sturgess. In his new book, Sturgess demonstrates how to use a wide range of yoga meditation practices as a portal to higher consciousness. Initial chapters explain what yoga meditation is and why it is so useful in our busy, modern lives. Here, Sturgess gives insight into the Eight Limbs of Yoga (an established approach to the successive stages of yoga) and enlightens us on the workings of our internal energy system - all of which lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of the practices to come. Sturgess then guides us through the key seated meditation postures and a range of helpful mudras (hand gestures) and bandhas (energetic seals) before going on to offer clear, step-by-step guidance on a wide choice of the most effective yoga postures, purification practices, breathing exercises and meditation techniques to still the mind and awaken the inner spirit. In the final chapter he recommends how to put these practices together in the form of nourishing daily routines to suit your individual needs, as well as giving advice on how to establish an overall healthy lifestyle, based on ancient Indian health traditions. Beautifully illustrated, highly practical and deeply inspirational, this is the ideal guide to establishing a regular holistic health program. It will allow you to connect with your true divine Inner Self, realize your fullest potential for creative thought and action, and establish balance, harmony and happiness in every aspect of your life.