Cosmic Chants [Spiral-bound]

Paramahansa Yogananda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1974

This book contains words and music to more than 50 original chants. Chant traditions from many cultures are being recognized today not only for their intrinsic beauty but also for their spiritual power. Paramahansa Yogananda, a pioneer in introducing India's art of devotional chanting to the West, explains how it helps to quiet and focus the mind in preparation for meditation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hailed as "the father of Yoga in the West", Paramahansa Yogananda - author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi - is regarded as one of the great spiritual figures of our time. Born in India on January 5, 1893, he devoted his life to helping people of all races and creeds to realize and express more fully in their lives the true beauty, nobility, and divinity of the human spirit. After graduating from Calcutta University in 1915, Yogananda took formal vows as a monk of India's venerable monastic Swami Order. Two years later, he began his life's work with the founding of a how-to-live school since grown to twenty-one educational institutions throughout India where traditional academic subjects were offered together with yoga training and instruction in spiritual ideals. In 1920, he was invited to serve as India's delegate to an International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. His address to the Congress and subsequent lectures on the East Coast were enthusiastically received, and in 1924 he embarked on a cross-continental speaking tour. Over the next three decades, Paramahansa Yogananda contributed in far-reaching ways to a greater awareness and appreciation in the West of the spiritual wisdom of the East. In Los Angeles, he established an international headquarters for Self-Realization Fellowship, the nonsectarian religious society he had founded in 1920. Through his writings, extensive lecture tours, and the creation of Self-Realization Fellowship temples and meditation centers, he introduced hundreds of thousands of truth-seekers to the ancient science and philosophy of Yoga and its universally applicable methods of meditation. Today, the spiritual and humanitarian work begun by Paramahansa Yogananda continues under the direction of Sri Daya Mata, one of his earliest and closest disciples and president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India since 1955. In addition to publishing his writings, lectures and informal talks (including a comprehensive series of Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons for home study), the society also oversees temples, retreats, and centers around the world.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 84 pages
• Publisher: Self-Realization Fellowship; 6 edition (January 1, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876121318
• ISBN-13: 978-0876121313
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #741,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, July 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cosmic Chants (Spiral-bound)

Anyone, whether or not a student of the great avatar, Paramahansa Yogananda, or those following some other spiritual path would greatly benefit from this book as many have, myself included. All the chants are "spiritualized songs" which are born out of depths of true devotion to God, having been chanted until response has been received from Him. They are not merely sentimental selections.

I like the completeness of this book, as it not only explains the most effective way to chant for best results, but it also provides all the notes with the words of the chants so that even a beginner in music can follow and play them. Those not proficient at reading music would still find it very instructive just reading the words of the chants and Sri Yogananda's explanatory notes on various pages. Chants, like poetry tend to condense the wisdom, and access the higher mind. I found this is a very worthwhile book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Blessing, November 3, 2004

By 

Srini Balaji "Sri" (India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cosmic Chants (Spiral-bound)

The collection of these wonderful chants is not just a book. It is a great blessing for all souls having thirst for spiritual progress. The chants address all the different moods of a devotee reaching out to God. Simple but powerful and life transforming as all great truths are..

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritualized chants, April 17, 2011

By 

Barbara Ellen Roberts "Author" (San Diego, CA. Encinitas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cosmic Chants (Spiral-bound)

To sing to God in all voices, all religions. This book is very sweet. Particularly if you play an Indian instrument, this is really a match for you. I love these chants, and they are easy to follow.