Kindle edition : ASIN:
Paperpack edition : ISBN: 979-8336321715
Hardcover edition : ISBN: 979-8338277997
314 pages
Date of Publishing : September 2024
DESCRIPTION
(The description is the same as for Volume 1)
This meditation handbook guides the reader beyond wellness meditation into unlocking the full potential of the ancient Samadhi practice. Samadhi is the deep trance state of meditation that brings the most profound transformation of our conscious and subconscious personality. This highest of yogic practices is mostly associated with renunciate monks. Yet the ancient science in this book allows everyone to master that altered state of consciousness, even while living the modern lifestyle as a householder yogi.
As our inner struggles and stress are quite individual, letting them go is a process that must be personalized to work. While the how of it is thus totally individual, what has to happen during the meditation process is the same for all. This deep meditation handbook aims at providing the reader with the keys needed to find our own way inside, among the numerous techniques offered by a variety of spiritual traditions. Whether we feel more drawn to the paths of nonduality, devotion, selfless service, postures, inner silence or subconscious transformation, every Samadhi has the power to fundamentally boost our deepest spiritual progress.
Volume 1 ‘YOGIC SCIENCE’ provides the foundation for our practice. We first need to understand the meditation phases, as they step by step allow us to peel off the layers of our individual existence. We need insight in the paths and techniques available in order to meet our personality and particular body chemistry. We have treasures to pick up along the way and mental traps to avoid. Our understanding, practice and also our karma show us the way forward. Achieving a dynamic emotional, energetic and physical balance in our lives makes deep meditation happen more easily. Many practices that do not require time are available, yet for others we will find ways to make the time, whether in our daily schedule or on a retreat.
Volume 2 ‘SAMADHI PRACTICE’ exclusively regards the efforts on our meditation mat. On top of the many exercises for daily life described in the first volume, the second holds over 50 detailed descriptions of meditative practices. Certainly not all of these practices are needed for everyone, yet to discover our path we need a map of our options. We start with the firm intent to meditate. Then we relax body, breath and the senses, so that they minimally distract the conscious mind. That allows us to fully focus our awareness on the object of our meditation. Once concentration is stable, we enter the effortless state of real meditation. Finally, deep meditation can manifest and we automatically move beyond the conscious mind, pass through the subconscious and merge with the Self. In a nutshell, that is what needs to happen, even if for advanced practitioners many of these phases pass by so quickly that they are hardly noticed.
Volume 1 & Volume 2 thus belong together and have been separated only because as one book, the weight would be rather uncomfortable for the reader. It certainly makes no sense to work only with the 2nd volume on practice, as it has many references to the more fundamental understanding found in the 1st volume. While this handbook is based in ancient yogic lore, it requires no prior knowledge to work with. I hope it may bring many readers to the ultimate meditation experience of Samadhi, which is everyone’s birthright. Based in over 40 years of practice, this book contains all questions and answers that I have encountered on the path.
ORDER your Samadhi Handbook in these outlets, where you can usually choose between an e-book, paperback or hardcover (=e-b, pb, hc):
The entirety of the yogic tradition is revealed as originating from the Self, bridging the illusion of a gap between nonduality and other practices.
The practitioners of yoga postures, breath, mantra, or meditation should not be confused about whether all of that is helpful on the spiritual path, or just some distraction produced by the ego.