Meditation Revolution: A History and Theology of the Siddha Yoga Lineage [Paperback]

S.P. Sabharathnam Douglas Brooks (Author), S.P. Sabharathnam (Author), Constantina Rhodes Bailly (Author), William K. Mahony (Author), Paul E. Muller-Ortega (Author), Swami Durgananda (Author), Peggy Bendet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997

This groundbreaking collection of essays explores the origin, development, teachings, and practices of a contemporary spiritual movement. The subject is Siddha Yoga, a path of meditation rooted in the Indian philosophical tradition that has had tremendous impact on contemporary students of spirituality since the 1970s. This book centers around the work of two teachers: Swami Muktananda, who introduced Siddha Yoga and its teachings to the West, inspiring what he termed a "meditation revolution," and Gurumayi Chidvilasanada, who has brought Siddha Yoga Meditation to maturity as a global spiritual movement. This book examines one particular tradition in its historical and theological context, illuminating issues that will be of interest to serious students of religion and spirituality. From the Foreword: Paul Muller-Ortega, Douglas Renfrew Brooks, William K. Mahony, Swami Durgananda a.k.a. Sally Kempton, et. al., offer herein a rich feast of historical and theological reflection that is sympathetic to Siddha Yoga but at the same time is fully faithful to the canons of critical inquiry characteristic of serious history of religions work... One very much hopes that this collection may be the first of many other collections that dare to move away from purely descriptive scholarship in order to address some of the great spiritual issues of our time. This book's publisher, Muktabodha Indological Research Institute, is dedicated to the study, preservation, and dissemination of endangered elements of the ancient scriptural wisdom of India. The mission is propelled by a belief that the philosophical and spiritual heritage of classical India is a precious resource and a recognition of this wisdom as vital for the well-being of the human spirit. Please visit us as muktabodha.org to learn more about our programs and publications.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Hindi --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 709 pages
• Publisher: Agama Press (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965409600
• ISBN-13: 978-0965409605
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,026,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN AMAZINGLY DETAILED AND INSIGHTFUL BOOK ABOUT THE SIDDHA YOGA MOVEMENT, September 17, 2009

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Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Meditation Revolution: A History and Theology of the Siddha Yoga Lineage (Paperback)

Swami Muktananda (1908-1982) claimed to have received "shaktipat" (i.e., spiritual transmission from a guru) from the East Indian Swami Nityananda (1896-1961) on the latter's deathbed, and that Nityananda had also appointed him head of the ashram. Muktananda renamed the type of yoga practiced as "Siddha" ("accomplished") Yoga, and the movement grew, as Muktananda's followers (some rather famous) in America and elsewhere built him hundreds of ashrams (meditation centers), and established in 1975 the SYDA ("Siddha Yoga Dham [Abode] Associates") Foundation as the administrative body of Siddha Yoga in the west. After his death from heart failure in 1982, leadership of his movement passed to Gurumayi ("Guru Mother") Chidvilasananda and her younger brother (who was named Swami Nityananda), whose parents were disciples of Muktananda.

This book chronicles the development of Siddha Yoga, noting that one of the most innovative features of Siddha Yoga is that "all three Siddha Yoga gurus have been able to give shaktiput at will and without requiring lengthy preparation from those who receive it. Swami Muktananda set out to offer this powerful form of spiritual initiation on a wide scale, ultimately even developing a program, the Intensive, that allowed shaktipat to be offered in a weekend. This profoundly innovative act of open-handed shaktipat has been the basis of the Siddha Yoga movement." It adds, "It was the Intensive that would eventually allow Muktananda's 'meditation revolution' to reach thousands at a time."

Muktananda first named Swami Nityananda as his successor, and a year later named his translator Malti as co-successor, but Nityananda resigned three years later, making Malti (now "Gurumayi Chidvilasananda") the head of the movement.

After the book devotes 160 pages to detailing the history of the movement, it then gives a lengthy exposition of the theology of the movement (e.g., with chapters on "The Guru-disciple Relationship," "Shaktipat," "Kundalini," "The Ashram," etc.)

This book (written by a number of authors) is somewhat prolix, but it is written by people who have a genuine passion for this form of spirituality. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in Siddha Yoga, or the participants in it.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but biased account, August 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Meditation Revolution: A History and Theology of the Siddha Yoga Lineage (Paperback)

This book is in many ways an interesting introduction to meditative practices, particularly as they have evolved within contemporary US culture. The title "History" is misleading much in the same way that a history of the Presidency might be misleading if it avoided all mention of Watergate.

8 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring from begining to end!, August 18, 2002

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jaroslav majer (st. petersburg, florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meditation Revolution: A History and Theology of the Siddha Yoga Lineage (Paperback)

This book is masterly written by some of the top most internationally accredited shaivism and hinduism scholors in the world and a vastly experienced Swami Durgananda. The explanations of the philosophy of esoteric practices and understanding as displayed through the path of Siddha Yoga are clear and insiteful. The shareing of experience leaves out the unproven hearsay that has colloected in many tabloids concerning this path over the years and has stuck to the verafyable truth, with no holds barred. It is an amazing account of the history and philosophy of Siddha Yoga up to its current display in the modern day. Highly recommended, a jewel for any Hindu, Shaivite or Siddha Yogi.