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

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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.

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.

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.

For both the scholarly inclined and the true seeker of meditation experiences...this book give a thorough examination of the "context" of yogic experiences in general..historically speaking and the context of the current, modern day path of "Siddha Yoga"..the Master-inspired path of human actualization. The combined writers of this comprehensive study are seemingly quite qualified to be reviewing this extremely subtle and "high" topic of human/'divine' 'potential' and do a good job in this reader's view of making the journey of realizing and understanding this topic quite enjoyable.

completely biased... there is barely a mention of the many questions about siddha yoga's past, and when it is mentioned, all viewpoints are not given. but what do you expect from a book written by devotees? hopefully soon much like the people's history of the united states, there will be a people's history of siddha yoga!

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 collected 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.

The stories that are part of the historical events and those directly coming from either personal experience or from the Guru themselves are great. The attempt to wander into academic commentary is so incompetent and misguided as to be and insult to those who have waded into the inner waters. It is pomp and speculation combined with bad grammer. If you were confused and wishing clarification this is not the place. This book does not carry the blessing of the living teacher herself, nor is there and acknowledgment of her in the beginning. Look elsewere!