Excellent reference for stages of samadhi development
344409
Everyone who has meditated for some time knows that meditation results in transformation of the mind, but also that meditation transforms the body in various ways at certain stages of development. Different cultures explain these changes in various ways, but it is difficult for even very serious students to see connections between traditions and cultures, without extensive study and experience.

Little Book of Hercules is not a book about Greek mythology, but its goal is rather to explain the various physical transformations that are the result of meditation practice. The outline for the book comes from the stories about the labors of Hercules, which are actually describing the path of spiritual cultivation. Indeed, quite a few of the stories contain elements that would make no sense outside the basic context of cultivation practice. This is the reason why in ancient Greece, there were religious groups that also connected the labors of Hercules with the spiritual path.

For readers who are accustomed to meditation necessarily involving Indian or Chinese terms, this book also shows that western culture has had its own cultivation traditions. It becomes a glimpse into a time when the best of western culture had a firm grasp of both the material and the spiritual world. It also inadvertently raises interesting questions about our own future in the 21st century.

The really special thing about this book, though, is that it clearly divides and explains all the basic steps of physical transformation. Are you going through a stage in which your big toe feels sore? Or what about a pinching sensation at the heels of your feet? Cutting soreness and cold throughout your legs and body? So many phenomena are explained very clearly by this book, including what they mean, and how not to become trapped or entangled by the different stages.

If I could make one change to this book, it would be to change the basic format and layout. Although it is divided clearly by chapter, the nature of this book lends itself to being reference material. I would be very interested in seeing what this book would be like if it had more of a textbook / abhidharma type of approach. This is just curiosity, though, and the book is already an excellent and rare gem as it is.

In all, I would highly recommend this book, especially for meditators with some experience, but who lack a full understanding of the path (99.999%). For those who are just beginning, I would recommend that they read the following book first:&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Little-Book-of-Meditation-The-Way-to-Lifelong-Vibrant-Health-Peace-of-Mind-Spiritual-Growth-and-Wellbeing/dp/0972190783/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Little Book of Meditation: The Way to Lifelong Vibrant Health, Peace of Mind, Spiritual Growth and Wellbeing</a>. Without the full explanation that this book includes, they would probably be lost when trying to read "Hercules."
3819954
This book is a good introduction to Vipassana practice in the Theravada tradition.  It does an excellent job of covering the basic belief system, practices and capturing the spirit of Theravada Buddhism.  I especially liked the strong emphasis on compassion and lovingkindness.

Many other books on this topic focus on mechanics and sometimes skim the surface of the underlying attitudes that are core to the teaching.  I also felt this book did a good job of explaining many basic practices such as breath, lovingkindness and walking meditation.  I have found very few books bother to explain walking meditation in enough detail for it to be useful.  This is a shame because it is an especially good practice for Westerners.

If you want something more in-depth, try "Breath by Breath" by Larry Rosenberg.  If you are fairly advanced, then Mindfulness with Breathing would also be excellent.  You can see a list of mediation resources and reviews on my profile.  I teach workshops on this topic, so I am well read in this area.
1406034
I found 'The Jewel Ornament of Liberation' an extraordinary guide for any serious Buddhist practitioner, on account of:
- Being exhaustive, covering every important detail on the Mahayana/Sutrayana path, as evident in its section titles: The Primary Cause (Buddha-nature), The Working Basis (precious human life), The Contributory Cause (spiritual master), The Method (impermanence, samsara, karma, compassion, refuge and precepts, bodhicitta, six perfections, five paths, ten bhumis), The Result (Buddhahood), and The Activities (of a Buddha). Also, each individual topic is treated thoroughly within each chapter.
- Its structure, being extremely well organized in the topic and order of the chapters, but particularly within each chapter, including a starting bullet-point-like summary.
- Its author, Dharma Lord Gampopa (1079-1153) having been a remarkable practitioner and scholar, who blending the Mahamudra tradition - started by Tilopa and Naropa and transferred to him by Milarepa - with the Kadampa tradition of Atisha, is considered to be the founder of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He also transferred the teachings to Dsum Khyenpa, The First Karmapa and founder of the Karma-Kagyu lineage.

Additionally, the book provides an inspiring foreword by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama; a relevant review of Dharma Lord Gampopa's life; a presentation of all the ancient stories referred to in the text; a brief biography of the excellent translator (Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche); and a useful glossary.

It is certainly a very helpful book for anyone seriously interested in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly in its Mahayana/Sutrayana aspect!

By Eduardo Tramontini (Buddhist name: Karma Trinley Zangpo)
4271862
Judy Smith has presented a fine introduction to yoga, building on Iyengar's 1966 book, "Light On Yoga." Curiously, Amazon (12/09) lists "400 Clear Colour Photographs" in the subtitle, but my 144 page volume reads "500 Superb Photographs" on the cover. I did not count photos to see if the UK title or the North American title best reflects the actual total. However, the photographs are all well composed and helpful.

- The volume presents precise instruction and practical advice. Most postures are shown with four to seven photos, with modifications usually shown for those with less flexibility.
- Each posture is presented on a separate page, and postures are organized by type (Standing, Seated, Twists, Inverted, Spine and Prone). Poses are presented in order of increasing difficulty.
- A chapter on routines presents 27 sequences that are each introduced by a paragraph explaining the intent or theme of the practice.
- Interestingly, the chapter "Therapeutic Yoga" presents routines designed to address conditions such as mental fatigue, colds, headaches, stress, insomnia, asthma, sciatica, menstruation, etc.

Bottom line: This book is an exceptionally clear guide for students who want help to progress. The book explains tips to aid body alignment and to hold postures for longer periods of time. When talking about the benefits of particular poses, the content occasionally feels to me a bit like "true believer" posturing that lacks support to make a case to skeptics. However, the instructional content is consistently clear and the photographs are well conceived. At less than $20 retail, this volume is a fine bargain.

Note: This book was also published earlier in a hardcover version under the title "Iyengar Yoga."
2368514
The Dalai Lama does an excellent job of explaining the place of the Heart Sutra within Buddhist thought and of explicating the Sutra itself. Even the rather challenging concept of shunyata (emptiness, voidness of inherent existence) is rendered straightforwardly and clearly. Not just a good commentary on the Heart Sutra, but also a good book to start with if you want to know more about Buddhism.

I might suggest reading this book after, say, Chogyam Trungpa's Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism. If you find this book useful and want to know more about shunyata in particulary (VERY important in Mahayana Buddhism), I would suggest going on to Mu Soeng's commentary on the Diamond Sutra (in spite of a few minor flaws) and then to Jay Garfield's translation of Nagarjuna's Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way.

This book is a keeper.
4851314
This is a wonderful book, combining a thoroughly-considered and refined translation of two important Buddhist texts, Nagarjuna's Dharmadhatustava and the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's commentary, with very extensive and insightful introductory material. The introductions are thorough and clear, with extensive references; a very readable presentation of a lot of information, all of which can enhance understanding of the texts translated here. The 102 pages of endnotes provide thorough and detailed explanations, and providing additional literary and commentarial context for parts of the translations.

I found the texts translated here inspiring, and beautifully rendered. The thorough introductions and extensive endnotes, along with this elegant translation, made it possible to appreciate this text as I would not have been able to otherwise.

Since the introductory material seems particularly valuable, I will describe it briefly here. It provides background regarding Nagarjuna's works and the views they express, the third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, and Buddhist explanations of mind (in particular, "luminous mind") relevant to the text. These provide helpful context for the translations that follow, and, being meticulously grounded in texts and richly "endnoted," provide resources for those interested in further research in these and related topics.

The first section, "Nagarjuna and his Works," provides a brief biography of Nagarjuna and a coherent overview of texts attributed to Nagarjuna by various sources, some questions and points of disagreement from various sources, and so on. The primary focus, however, is in establishing that "Nagarjuna--even if only his generally accepted works are taken into account--displays a wide range of resourcful ways to express the Buddhist teachings in their entirety," and, therefore, that Nagarjuna's "praise" texts, including that translated in this volume, are part of an extensive and coherent Buddhist perspective.

The next section provides additional philosophical context for the current work, succinctly, and sometimes poetically, discussing pertinent Buddhist views of mind and cognition.

The section on Rangjung Dorje provides a brief biography followed by a systematic survey of seven of Rangjung Dorje's texts understood to illuminate the view and understanding expressed in the third Karmapa's commentary on Nagarjuna's Dharmadhatustava (Praise of Dharmadhatu), and some discussion of later depictions of Rangjung Dorje's view as a synthesis of classical Yogacara and Madhyamaka, followed by an extensive discussion of views that might be characterized as "shentong" (gzhan-stong) and why.

The introduction to Rangjung Dorje's comentary on the Dharmadhatustava provides brief historical context, and, more valuably for me, then discusses main themes in the text.

There is also a brief discussion of the other known Tibetan commentaries on the Dharmadhatustava, ten in all. Of these ten, five are described in some detail in this introductory section; they are also excerpted in the endnotes.
335631
This is an excellent book. Not only does it closely examine the various stages of shamatha but it explains that Shamatha is a necessity in the evolution of spiritual advancement. In a way, it is a response to the top-down Advaita Vedanta approach, and I agree. Without the ability to rest in the natural state, without distractions, without grasping, how is one going to remain focused on any form or object of meditation, whether that be the watcher, the self or something as difficult to focus on as simple awareness? It is only with the pliant maleable mind that we will succeed in our endeavors.
I appreciated hearing that mantra repetition's purpose is not to still the mind, in fact, mantra repetition is mentioned only once.
I appreciated learning why it is so hard to focus the mind on a visualized object for long periods of time. Never before has someone explained so clearly and succinctly the stages and benefits of breath meditation.
We are very lucky to have such an intelligent articulate author to help explain to the western world the sometimes confusing Buddhist techniques and practices.
Well done!
2494523
Having heard Adyashanti speak a couple of years ago, I was aware of his clearly expressed, no-nonsense insight.  However, I had not read any of his prior books, and was pleased to find that his teachings translate very well into written form.  Standing within his own experience, while drawing from the world's spiritual traditions, Adyashanti deftly dismantles unhelpful ideas of enlightenment, e.g. as emotional fulfillment and bliss, or acquisition of power.  He points the way toward the realization of that which always already is.  Perhaps most helpfully, extensive discussion is devoted to the transition from awakening to stabilized enlightenment.  Adyashanti notes that much of the subject matter is truly beyond any description in words, but, as a teacher, he hopes to "fail well" in his attempts to approach the reality.  In my estimation, he has done so admirably, and this book should prove valuable to anyone drawn toward a nondual spiritual path.
930078
This is a very lovely book with lots of useful information on Vajrayana and Mahamudra.  Its style matches its title.  The author is famous as a great Tibetan Buddhist master and the book supports this view.  He is gentle in his writing and gets one's attention by whispering.  I've heard of this technique before--when people are actually together in person.  It can really work, oddly enough.  I like this book better than his other works that I've read: "The Dharma" and "Luminous Mind."  It's well worth your time and effort to read.  I took a few quotes from it as well (possibly from an earlier edition):

"In seeing that all appearance (not only one's mind and emotions) is luminous, unimpeded suchness, one recognizes that all internal appearance, which is also arising from the mind, is only mental projection." p. 14

"Dynamic, empty, and unobstructed luminosity...empty, clear, and unimpeded nature of the mind itself... p. 22

"It is possible that one can practice while still actively involved in the world.  Such a combination of spiritual practice and worldly activity allows the aspirant to use his or her faculties in a very skillful way." p. 164
3037922
I was excited to have the opportunity to review this book, as I'm both a psychologist and a yoga instructor.  Not only that, but I work at a college counseling center--certainly a place where we see a lot of eating-related issues--and I teach a weekly yoga class on campus.  Author Ramdesh Kaur is a certified Kundalini yoga and meditation instructor.  My own yoga teaching background is NOT in kundalini, although I have practiced it a bit on my own.  It is quite different in style than those with prior experience with other schools of yoga may be used to.  The Kundalini yoga that Ramdesh presents here is based largely on meditation and chanting, with very little emphasis on physical postures.

Ramdesh is clearly knowledgeable about the subject of body image and eating issues.  As a survivor of various eating disorders herself, she is extremely encouraging, repeatedly emphasizing how Kundalini yoga was helpful in her own path to recovery.  (Also inspiring is the story of how her hearing impairment contributed to her eating issues and how she overcame this as well.)  This oversized book is beautifully laid out and very well organized, with helpful text and clear photo illustrations throughout.

The main interventions that Ramdesh presents are Mantras, Kriyas (physical practices), and Meditations.  She explains each in detail, including their purpose and how they are beneficial.  There is some overlap here--i.e., when meditating, you may repeat a mantra.  Although Ramdesh's instructions are clear, there are several reasons why they may be difficult to follow.  First, the mantras and meditations are in Sanskrit, and specific pronunciations are not given. Second, most of the practices are rather lengthy, and it may be difficult for the reader to follow along from a book (as opposed to an audio recording or DVD).  Third--and probably most significant--these activities require a significant commitment, both in time and effort.  In general, Ramdesh recommends repeating most of the practices for a minimum of 11 minutes (there are some that are 3 minutes) for up to 33 minutes or longer.

I completely agree with Ramdesh's point that for someone with an eating disorder, what they are currently doing is NOT working, so why not try something new?  Yet as a psychologist, I also understand just how difficult it is to help others to break these patterns, even when working with them in a 1:1 relationship.  Some readers may not be ready to make changes simply from reading this book alone.  For those who are, I do think that Ramdesh provides excellent information, and I would recommend her book.
2796448
Of the dozens of Buddhist books I've purchased, this book provides the clearest, most understandable introduction to Buddhism.  It gives a succinct historical background, complete with context (religions that were prominent where Buddism's roots sprouted).  It then lays out the foundations of Buddhism (4 noble truths, eightfold path, etc.).
The authors do a great job explaining some of Buddhism's complex terms (dependent arising, nen-self, etc.), and do not confuse matters by relying to heavily on Sanskrit or Pali terminology.
Although the description of the various branches of Buddhism was a bit short, it did lay out the fundamental thoughts of each branch, and compare/contrast with the others.
The authors detail meditation types(vipassana, samantha) and how the different branches use meditation differently.
Finally, there is a summary of how Buddhism migrated to the western world, and how it is practiced today.
An excellent book, I would highly recommend it.
243364
The perfect, basic reference volume for Buddhism.
4898821
This book provides an explanation of what Iyengar Yoga is and who BKS Iyengar was, and it also provides detailed information about many asanas and how to achieve them. There are 360-degree sets of photos to illustrate each asana, and suggested series of asanas for different purposes. I found this to be very educational and a good reference as I begin to learn this type of yoga.
4441646
If you're interested in Tibetan Buddhism or if you're familiar/interested in the teachings of Pema Chodron herself, this book offers an excellent overview of Tibetan Buddhism practices, as applied to everyday life. Her primary teaching is that dissatisfaction, unhappiness and fear arise out of attachment ('shenpa' in Tibetan). This attachment hooks you into a pattern of self-destruction. This book is a summary of her most important works and also a practical guide to techniques for dealing with attachment (and other challenges) in your life. It contains a section of important quotes, as well. Very useful read to quickly remind you of the most important principles of mindfulness!
2731033
Reading this book helped clarify many questions I had about accessing the Akashic Records. It has been written with very clear explanations on the topics being spoken on followed by questions from workshop participants all of which I feel were good choices as far as making the topic even more clear. It is very thorough in the topics covered leaving little to question once all is read. There is an overview of the records given followed by the system of the Akasha which includes accessing the records, time line pollution, past life influences, blocks along the way, guides, soul groups to mention only a few. There are also sections on enlightenment, Unity, Response, Free Will, Choice, Will Power, Karma, Grace, The Levels of Love, Dimensional Universes, and that is only a drop of what is covered. I found the writing to be so clear and on target. There were many truths recognized as I read this book. You will find the process defined at the end of the book with several different types of meditations offered to assist with the relaxation process.
Hopefully this tidbit of info here will help anyone with questions regarding the decision to purchase this book.
It will be money well spent. This is one to keep in your library.
196869
As another reviewer pointed out, this collection of lectures is 'merely' a summary of the discourses Goenka gave during a 10-day course and which are given via video or audio recording at hundreds of 10-day courses every year, all over the world. It's also true that if you've taken a course, you've heard these words before, and if you haven't taken a course, you should simply make the time somehow and go do one to try it for yourself. Although actually it IS more than just a summary, as this edition at least features a comprehensive glossary of Pali terms as well as translations to English of many of the key quotations of the Buddha that Goenka uses during the course, including references to the appropriate Nikaya of the Pali cannon (a nikaya is one of three (short, middle and long discourses of the Buddha) divisions of the Pali cannon, which is the oldest collection of 'canonical' or 'orthodox' teachings attributed to the Buddha, which includes not only the Buddha's discourses but also a detailed monastic ethical code, and a highly advanced psychology - it is a daunting and enormous work, and if you've ever looked into it you'll agree that specific references to particular verses are much appreciated!).

All that said, this book is a wonderful companion and handbook to keep with you afterward and, I assume, beforehand. Reading it now, more than a year after my first 10-day course, it is a beautiful refresher and reminder, and having the ideas and outlines of the technique collected in one place, with total clarity and no wasted words, is invaluable in my opinion. It is only about 100 pages, a quick read, but very earnest and deeply felt - just reading it gave me an intense dedication to practice I haven't felt since I finished my 10-day course itself. The book virtually oozes optimism and practicality. Although in line with another reviewer I recommend taking a course, rather than reading this book, as an introduction to vipassana and/or Goenka's particular style of teaching the technique, I really can't imagine how you could go wrong with this book, regardless. Considering the absolutely nominal cost, I highly recommend anyone interested in meditation and Buddhism in general, or vipassana and Goenka in particular, pick this up immediately.
2358521
Being a longstanding friend of the author, dr. P. Karthigayan from Chennai it is a special pleasure and privilege to offer a short review of his book. It is right away clear that the author invested years of effort and time to write the "History of Medical and Spiritual Sciences of Siddhas of Tamil Nadu". The book tries to cover as many aspects of the Tamil Siddha tradition as possible. Of particular interest are the chapters concerning alchemy, rejuvenation and immortality. What is most impressive are the copious quotations from the original texts of the Tamil Siddhas  most of them being translated into English for the first time. Equally invaluable is the detailed bibliography of the mentioned texts at the very end of the book. I believe that the work of dr. P. Karthigayan will be a valuable addition to the library of all those interested in the tradition of the Tamil Siddhas. Whoever wishes to get a quick overiew of the book should read chapter 13 (A Bird's Eye View  Conclusions of Siddhas) first.