I Am That: The Science of Hamsa from the Vijnana Bhairava [Paperback]

Swami Muktananda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1992

This commentary explains the philosophy and mystery of the Hamsa, the natural mantra of the breath, which was first revealed in the Vijnana Bhairava, an 8th century treatise.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Swami Muktananda introduced the Siddha Yoga path all over the world, creating what he called a "meditation revolution." He is the author of Play of Consciousness, his spiritual autobiography.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

To know the Self is the true aim and purpose of human life. Because a person does not understand the glory of his own Self, he gets into the habit of seeing himself as small, as imperfect, and as separate from God. In this way, he denies himself the experience of his divinity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Siddha Yoga Publications; 4th edition (January 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914602276
• ISBN-13: 978-0914602279
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #696,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Meditation
  • #49 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Spiritual

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for the advanced seeker., April 18, 1999

By 

"omnient" - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am That: The Science of Hamsa from the Vijnana Bhairava (Paperback)

This is a very remarkabe and profound book. I will have to read it many times over in order to gain a fuller understanding of its wisdom. Nonetheless, it is very useful in that it reveals the mantra and its technique that the sages of India use to gain liberation. I find it very natural and elegant. The author claims it is the ultimate mantra.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Basic Beginning, June 18, 2002

By 

Dr. Jan B. Newman (Clinton, Mt. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Am That: The Science of Hamsa from the Vijnana Bhairava (Paperback)

Muktananada takes verse 24 of the Vijnana-bhairava Tantra and elaborates on it with a wide ranging commentary. He gives the basics of the process of how the breath works in helping us steady our thoughts and empty or fill our minds as required.

It is a very basic beginning as are most of his publications and those of Siddha Yoga. The serious student should go to the original Vijnana-bhairava by Jaideva Singh.

The key is to absorb the dharanas (centering techniques) that are obvious and over time as one's yogic study deepens, many of the others will become apparent. The Vijnana-bhairava was written as the original home-study, Self-study course revealed by Bhairava (God. The practice of any tantric technique is by it's very nature done by oneself.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Am That- The Secret of Natural and Spontaneous Meditation and Awakening, January 20, 2006

By 

Tom Thompson "Tom Thompson" (Southern Pines, North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am That: The Science of Hamsa from the Vijnana Bhairava (Paperback)

I AM THAT is a spiritual classic by the Siddha Guru, Swami Muktananda. It clearly delineates the natural and spontaneous meditation of Hamsa, or the radiant life force flowing as the One breath breathing you. In traditional Buddhism, this simple awareness is known as anapanasati and is said to be the Buddha's final meditation before Awakening and the one he most highly recommended to his disciples.

HAMSA is dhyana (natural and spontaneous meditation) and jnana (direct recognition of Truth ). The Hamsa mantra balances the flow of life force so the Kundalini (the capacity of Consciousness to recognize Itself) safely awakens within us and unfolds so the jiva (apparent separate individual) recognizes its true nature as Shiva (the unborn formless Consciousness prior to and yet existing as everything). When this happens, parabhakti or unconditional love and devotion arises for all beings everywhere. As Baba Muktananda loved to point out, "Nothing exists that is not Shiva!" And that includes you! Read this book. It is about the true you.