The Yoga of Sound: Healing and Enlightenment through the Sacred Practice of Mantra [Hardcover]

Russill Paul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2004

The eye dominates the world, calculating and evaluating through the visual. Yet sound and music are the essential carrier waves of consciousness. For thousands of years, Hindu spirituality has understood the profound effect that sound has on human well-being. Largely unknown in the West, yet developing alongside the popular form of hatha yoga that has swept the world, the yoga of sound is a 3,500-year-old spiritual system for reducing stress and maintaining health. In this inspiring book and accompanying CD, renowned musician and teacher Russill Paul explores the four powerful streams of this system: mantras (sound), mudras (sacred gestures), pranayama (breath control), and dhyana (meditation). Like his award-winning music, Paul's presentation of this ancient tradition is accessible for modern Western tastes and lifestyles. In lucid exercises presented both in the book and the CD, Paul shows how everyone can learn the art of mantra simply by training the voice, and how these practices can help reduce stress, enhance emotional well-being, and optimize the flow of energy within the body.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A new classic in both yoga and spirituality.” — from the foreword by Wayne Teasdale “From heart to mind, from body to spirit, Russill Paul weaves the powers of sound into the practical and inspirational union of East and West. A rare and important book, The Yoga of Sound goes into the depth of an ancient power with ease and artistry. Accompanied by a CD, this book is actualized and inspired by a fine teacher and extraordinary performer.” — Don Campbell, author of The Mozart Effect “Music is woven throughout nature from our own DNA to the galaxies, and that is why it is a source of transformation and wisdom. Russill Paul is a master guide in this domain. His work is clear evidence that music is much too powerful to be used as mere entertainment.” — Larry Dossey, MD, author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things “Sound may well be the undiscovered realm for the salvation of our wayward human species. The sages of India have known this for millennia. In The Yoga of Sound, Russill Paul presents a comprehensive and accessible summary of this ancient tradition and shows us how we can incorporate those time-honored practices into our overly visual and busy Western lives. This book is a vital gift for our times.” — Paul Winter, musician --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 302 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577314298
• ISBN-13: 978-1577314295
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,493,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Written, Authentic Spirituality, May 10, 2005

By 

Todd Ransom (Baton Rouge, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Yoga of Sound: Healing and Enlightenment through the Sacred Practice of Mantra (Hardcover)

I was required to buy this book for a class I was taking at the university entitled "Religion and Music". My professor was Dr. Don Beck who is an expert on this topic and has produced both a published book and a cd of Hindu devotional music. The book came highly recommended from him, and now that I have read it I would wholeheartedly agree! This is a wonderful book regardless of what spiritual path you are on, and in particular if you are looking for a way to re-entergize your own practice. The book explains how one can use the power of mantra as a spiritual practice, and it is written by an author who has both a Christian and Hindu background. He thoughtfully incorporates aspects of many religious traditions to accomodate all readers, and he is thoroughly knowledgable on this subject. He writes clearly and simply, and at the same time he gets you excited about the subject matter.
Honestly, I thought this book was going to be filled with New Age fluff, but it offers genuine advice on how to practically get started with this wonderful practice of reciting mantras. I was pleasantly surprised, and I think anyone with an interest in deep religion or music will greatly enjoy this book.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sound magic, October 9, 2004

By 

Morag (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Yoga of Sound: Healing and Enlightenment through the Sacred Practice of Mantra (Hardcover)

I had the privilege of taking a workshop with Russill in the summer of 2004, which is how I was introduced to his work. His excellent book "The Yoga of Sound" has proved highly complementary to that experience, but it is also a powerful work with no trouble standing on its own.

Yoga has become extremely popular in the Western world, but the aspect of yoga that focuses on the power of sound - the power of mantra and chant - has not transfered as well from the realms of Hindu mysticism. The book explores the reasons for this and sets the practice of mantra in a wider context, adaptable not only to those from any religious and spiritual background but to the hectic pace of modern life. Mantra is brought further into a 21st-century setting through the accessible and fascinating discussions of quantum physics as they apply to sound. The book is also a practical manual, teaching the reader how to use yogic mantra with the help of an included CD.

Russill Paul is a truly gifted teacher, and his spirit of devotion and eagerness to share the joy of the power of mantra shine through in this beautifully written book.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Om sweet Om....., May 9, 2006

By 

Theresa Reed "The Tarot Lady" (MILWAUKEE, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Yoga of Sound: Tapping the Hidden Power of Music and Chant (Paperback)

Chanting is an art - and for those of us from a Western background, it can feel a bit otherworldy or "foreign". I have always been interested in chanting and mantras but too intimidated to try it.

Russill Paul has put together a book and CD set that helps to demystify chanting and make it more accessible for all audiences - no matter what your spiritual or ethnic background. This well written book clearly explains the basics and theories behind chanting - and it provides exercises to get you started immediately.

These exercises help anyone to begin chanting in a confident manner. I am tone deaf and have no musical talent whatsoever - yet I am able now to practice mantras with a keener ear. I am already feeling the effects! (Hindu mantras are believed to help with many issues from removing obstacles, spiritual advancement and even mundane problems.)

The Yoga of Sound is a practical book which can get you on your way to a daily mantra practice. I would also recommend the books by Thomas Ashley Farrand as a supplement to this book. That being said, Paul's book seems to be more complete and I felt more inspired by it.