Metaphysical Meditations [Paperback]

Paramahansa Yogananda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2003

This little book offers definite metaphysical methods of meditation for the student who has already struggled through the mobs of rowdy thought and has entered the portals of silence. The meditations are of three types: prayers or demands addressed to God, affirmations about God, and those spoken to the individual consciousness. Contents: devotion and worship; meditations on God; expansion of consciousness; on finding God; on material concerns; on self-improvement; Christmas meditations.

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 northern 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. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, LLC (March 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076613976X
• ISBN-13: 978-0766139763
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,501,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hailed as "the father of Yoga in the West," Paramahansa Yogananda - author of the bestselling classic "Autobiography of a Yogi" - is regarded as one of the great spiritual figures of our time. Born in northern 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meditation is concentration used to know God, January 17, 2004

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Metaphysical Meditations: Universal Prayers, Affirmations, and Visualizations (Paperback)

I believe that this little book of spiritual meditations is valuable no matter what your religious background happens to be. It emphasizes the interconnectiveness of all true spiritual paths; indeed, the text starts off with a prayer for a united world. It is useful for either formal meditation practice, or deep focused prayer.

Meditation, as it is used here, is the science of God-realization. Its ultimate objective is to obtain conscious awareness of God. This is achieved through concentration. While the basic mechanics of meditation technique are covered, the real substance of the book is the devotional passages that are to be focused on. One doesn't merely read through the text in one sitting. These are individual passages that are intended for focused concentration and prayer one at a time. You meditate, dwell on, and feel them. Some of the language may seem a bit flowery at times, but if you focus on the meaning being expressed, then you realize that every single entry contains its measure of spiritual truth.

It should be noted that Yogananda makes repeated reference to Christ in the highest cosmic sense. He even includes a section of Christmas meditations. He obviously had a deep appreciation the concept of the Godman savior who he associates with Krishna, as well as, several other avatars.

This particular edition has been in print since 1925, revised in 1952 and 1964. The leatherette cover is durable and attractive. You can easily fit it into your pocket for reference when you feel the need. Few specialized terms are used, but when they are, then they are explained in footnotes. A bibliography of Yogananda's other works is included in back.

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A POCKET FULL OF DEVOTIONAL VERSES, July 5, 2000

By 

X'ina - See all my reviews

This review is from: Metaphysical Meditations: Universal Prayers, Affirmations, and Visualizations (Paperback)

Paramahansa Yogananda has distilled the essence of devotion to God in this pocket-sized companion for anyone in need of spiritual uplifting. I have given several copies to people of different faiths(from Hindus to Catholics), and it's appeal is universal and all-encompassing.

For those of us who seem to have so little time, this book serves as a reminder of our need to let God into our lives. Don't leave home without it!

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A UNIQUE GUIDE TO PERSONAL MEDITATION !, May 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Metaphysical Meditations: Universal Prayers, Affirmations, and Visualizations (Paperback)

this handy beginners guide on how to Meditate effectively will conveniently fit into your purse of pocket.

It contains everything you need to begin life's most rewarding and harmonizing experience. That of MEDITATION...This book contains many gems which may be used to enhance your daily practice of affirmation, prayer and Meditation.Let it be your constant reminder to meditate often and deeply.

It was the author - PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA - who was one of the most influential teachers of Meditation and Raja Yoga to the Western world in the 20th century. The Self-Realization Fellowship, which he established to carry on His spiritual legacy, is the sole authorized publisher of His writings and teachings. Read this small book, and open up a new chapter in your life!

"Practice the feeing of unity in the vastness of your expanded consciousness of Meditation." ....Paramahansa Yogananda, from - Journey to Self Realization.

also read: Autobiography of a Yogi....from SRF publishers via Amazon Books.