Play of Consciousness: A Spiritual Autobiography/Chitshakti Vilas [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author), Paul Zweig (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This extraordinary book is the spiritual autobiography of a realized Master, Swami Muktananda. In it he describes his own journey to Self-realization. He reveals the process of transformation that he experienced under the guidance of his Guru, Bhagawan Nityananda, from his initiation in August 1947 to his final attainment of enlightenment nine years later. Imbued with the authority of Swami Muktananda's achievement, this intimate and powerful portrait of his life is a testimony to the power of his devotion. The story of Swami Muktananda's yoga journey on the Siddha Yoga path provides a guide to seekers who aspire to the same goal. The new edition contains many new photographs.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Hindi

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Siddha Yoga Meditation Publications; 4 edition (November 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911307338
• ISBN-13: 978-0911307337
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #374,845 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STILL ECSTATIC AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, February 9, 2000

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

I first read this book in the `70's. It knocked my socks off. I recently recommended it to someone and thought, "Hmm. Maybe I should read it again." It blew my socks off again. Play of Consciousness is the spiritual autobiography of Sw. Muktananda, an Indian meditation master who died in 1982. In POC, he breaks Hindu tradition by talking about his experiences. He does this for one reason: To serve and guide his students. This is a handbook for meditators, in many ways a survival manual. Muktananda had many of the experiences recounted here -- some of which were terrifying-- without knowing what they were. Here, he lets his students know what to expect in advanced meditation. The book is written in sections. The book opens with a tightly written and comprehensive guide to Hinduism and kundalini yoga. Muktananda lays out the turf-- quoting many major Indian saints and scriptures. This alone is worth buying. The second part describes his spiritual experiences, his sadhana. If you ever thought that meditation was a passive, dopey thing popularized in California, this will change your mind. Muktananda's experiences were big. Explosive. Gorgeous. They read like sci-fi, but you have the sense of their utter authenticity. The final section explains what Muktananda wants from his students. How he sees the universe, and how a good yogi/yogini should live. This is a masterpiece in mystical writing. POC is not an easy read. First, it may induce culture shock. This is not a Western book. It was translated from Hindi or one of the Indian languages and written by an older man, a Hindu monk. The language sounds it-- flowery, exquisite, complex, and somewhat antiquated. Muktananda talks about gurus and disciples. The word "guru" has been maligned in the West. For thousands of years, Indian people have had gurus the way that we have accountants. "Guru" means "teacher", with the root meaning, "bringer of light, taker of darkness." The guru's function. POC is a hard read for another reason: Muktananda's experience roars through it. If you do not know what devotion and love are by the end of this book, there's no hope. His energy permeates POC. You may find yourself nodding off or falling into meditation. You may only be able to read a page to two at a time. That's fine. Just keep reading.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended reading for students of eastern philosophy., April 4, 2000

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

In Play Of Consciousness: A Spiritual Autobiography, Swami Muktananda vividly and candidly describes his spiritual initiation which awakened the hidden power known as Kundalini Shakti and the astonishing process of inner transformation that followed. Muktananda reveals many mysteries describing the rigors of spiritual practice and the mystical, metaphysical alchemy of the awakened Kundalini. He offers inspiration for all those seeking the ultimate personal and metaphysical freedom that is spiritual enlightenment. Play Of Consciousness is recommended reading for students of eastern philosophies, yoga, metaphysical studies, and personal spiritual enlightenment.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOGIC CLASSIC, January 12, 2000

By	Bill Dale (WARWICK NEW YORK) - See all my reviews

Orginally published and edited undr the title GURU in the 1970's , this work must be on any seeker into Eastern wisdom. this work plus Autoboigraphy of a Yogi, and the Gita are must reads. We are given a detailed look inot the world of Kashmir Shaivism and the potential of that mysterous force barely known to psycholiogists called Kundalini. The only danger in the presentation is that it may casue the reader to seek out a teacher to place full dependency upon and we have learned well from the past thirty years that this can be a great error as most teachers are subjected to human flaws such as rock star syndrome READ THIS BOOK