What's on My Mind?: Becoming Inspired with New Perception [Paperback]

Swami Anantananda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1996

Offering ways of understanding the mind so that detachment from useless thoughts and fantasies becomes possible, this book identifies tendencies of the mind that keep happiness at bay.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Swami Anantananda, a monk in the Siddha Yoga tradition and a disciple of meditation master Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, teaches and writes about the development of spiritual awareness.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Why couldn't we be as detached from the thoughts that come and go in the mind as we are from the clouds that come and go in the sky? Clouds are many. They come and go. The sky is one, and remains unchanged. In the same way, thoughts are many; they come and go. There Witness is one and remains unchanged. The fact that we are not as detached from our thoughts as we are from the clouds is a habit of perception, not a necessity. The yogis tell us, change your perception, then you'll be free.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Siddha Yoga Publications (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911307478
• ISBN-13: 978-0911307474
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 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: #252,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FED UP WITH NEGATIVE EMOTIONS DRAGGING YOU AROUND?, August 29, 2001

By 

Sandy Nathan "Sandy Nathan" (Santa Ynez, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's on My Mind?: Becoming Inspired with New Perception (Paperback)

DESIRE, ANGER, FEAR, GREED, ENVY & JEALOUSY, PRIDE, WORRY, and INFATUATION. Do you have any problems with these fun puppies? I know that they make me jump when they come up in my inner world. In "What's on my Mind?", Sw. Anantananda gives concise prescriptions for dealing with these "thieves of the heart"-- negative emotions that keep us from experiencing our inner peace-- and inner splendour. His "what to do lists" for each emotion really work! I have a master's degree in Marriage, Family & Child Counseling and consider Anantananda's techniques similar to the cognitive emotive or rational emotive therapies-- with a difference. Anantananda's approach centers on witnessing the mind as it enters the feeling state-- the yogic stance-- and observing the moment of choice we all have before becoming embroiled in a feeling. It's tricky, but it works. He offers chapters on each of the emotions and lists of techniques for dealing with them. The work is illustrated with his own experiences, those of others seeking to become free of the "thieves" & various Hindu texts-- Sw. Anantananda is a Hindu monk, as his name suggests.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, August 27, 2009

By 

M "happyandhealthy" (los angeles, new york) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's on My Mind?: Becoming Inspired with New Perception (Paperback)

This is a simple, beautiful, easily applicable book about how to deal with negative emotions, and not let your the content of your head take control of your life. It's not about denial of what you feel or see or do-it's about how to get out of these emotions and get to a better place. I love this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars "What's on my Mind?" quiets my automatic pilot, June 8, 2010

By 

Catherine B. Friederich (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What's on My Mind?: Becoming Inspired with New Perception (Paperback)

Usually when I pick up this book my mind has been working overtime. Within a few sentences I recognize that it's been back on the hamster wheel and none of what has taken me over is worth the trip.

This clear writing takes me back to Center and reminds me I have a choice always. Peace comes once again. I am so grateful for this beautiful, very wise little book.