Swami Sivananda RadhaBesprekingen

KUNDALINI YOGA is a direct path to higher consciousness. It is the process of conscious cooperation with evolution. Within each of us there lies a vast potential of energy and power which, when properly understood and directed, will lead to previously unimagined heights of perception and awareness.

In ancient times, the process of evolution was preserved in the symbolic picture language of the Kundalini Yoga system. Down through the ages the Gurus and spiritual teachers have used these symbols as the key in directing aspirants to the realization of their own hidden potential. Swami Sivananda Radha continues in this noble tradition of the transmission of knowledge. Her book is based upon twenty years of her own prac­tice and experience. She has demystified Kundalini Yoga so that it can be understood and applied in the daily lives of men and women of today.

This is a book of inspiration, and also - an eminently practical one. Tools to bring quality into life are given for those who wish to cooperate with evolution. Swami Radha has presented clear direc­tions for exercises and practices which, if followed with sincerity and diligence, will enable the seeker to develop a firm foundation from which to venture safely into higher levels of consciousness.

Because of its emphasis on self-develop­ment, this book will be of particular value to those in the helping professions. Swami Radha's unique blend of practicality and inspiration will add a new dimension to the teaching of Yoga.

SWAMI SIVANANDA RADHA is the founder and spiritual director of the Yasodhara Ashram, a Yoga retreat and study centre located at Koote­nay Bay, near Nelson , British Columbia, Canada. She is also the founder and president of the Association for the' Development of Human Potential in the United States. She received her training at the Si­vananda Ashram in Rishikesh, India, and at the request of her Guru, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, returned to the West in 1956 to help disseminate the, Yogic teachings and practices. Her major em­phasis has been to interpret the ancient teachings so that they can be understood and applied in the daily lives of the westerner. She has lectured and given workshops throughout North America and Europe and many of her talks have been preserved on records, tapes and in booklet form. Her record­ings are classified as educational material by the Canadian Government. She is the author of The Divine Light Invocation, the presentation of a power­ful spiritual practice.

Contents

Acknowledgments
List of Illustrations

Foreword xvii

Introduction

A Word from the Author

Chapter One: THE ASPIRANT

Chapter Two: MYSTICAL ASPECTS OF HATHA YOGA

Chapter Three: DIVINE MOTHER SAKTI (THE DEVI)

Sakti-Yoga Philosophy: Quotes from the late Swami Sivananda Sarasvati of Rishikesh, India.

Woman, the Handmaiden of Divine Mother

Chapter Four: MULADHARA: THE FIRST CAKRA

The First Cakra and its Symbols

The Goddess of Speech Sakti

Speech: Exercises

Thoughts on Smell

Smell:Exercises

Thoughts on Sex

Making a List: An Illustration

Sex: Making a list

Thoughts on Death

Death and Deadly Games: Making a list

Competition: Making a list

Mechanicalness: Making a list

Love: Making a list

Consciousness Mind: Making a list

Divine Light Invocation

Perception and Use of Neutral Energy

Dance is Yoga . . . Yoga is Dance

Chapter Five: SVADHISTHANA: THE SECOND CAKRA

The Second Cakra and its Symbols

The Goddess of Speech Sakti

Speech: Exercises

Thoughts on Taste

Taste: Exercises

Thoughts on Imagination and Desires

Imagination: Making a list

Desires: Making a list 101

Imagination Visualization: Exercises

Thoughts on Self-Image and Personality Aspects

Self-Image: Making a list

Personality Aspects: Making a list

Watching the Mind

Watching the Mind: Exercises (Steps to Meditation)

Reflection on Water

Chapter Six: MANIPURA: THE THIRD CAKRA

The Third Cakra and its Symbols

The Goddess of Speech Sakti

Speech: Exercises

Thoughts on Sight

Sight: Exercises

Thoughts on Imagination, Mind, and Energy

Imagination, Mind, and Energy: Making a list

Thoughts on Emotions, Mind, and Energy

Emotions, Mind, and Energy: Making a list

Thoughts on Dreams

Thoughts on Worship

Additional Thoughts on Sex

Thoughts on Kundalini, God, Energy

Reflection on the Body as a Garden

Chapter Seven: ANAHATA: THE FOURTH CAKRA

The Fourth Cakra and its Symbols

The Goddess of Speech Sakti

Thoughts on Touch

Touch: Exercises

Powers of the Mind

Mind: Doubt

Mind: Observation

Mind: Energy Manifest

Mind and Healing

Thoughts on Humility and Gratitude

Additional Thoughts on Sex

Thoughts on Brahmacarya (Celibacy)

Thoughts on Worship

Synthesis of Exercises for the Anahata Cakra

Pranayama

Pranayama: Preparatory Exercises

Pranayama: Finger Exercises

Bhastrika-Pranayama: Bellows Breath

Alternate Nostril Pranayama

Kundalini Pranayama

Pranic Healing

The Mantra So'ham Hamsa

Thoughts on Reverence for Life

Reflection on Maya (Illusion)

Chapter Eight: VISUDDHA: THE FIFTH CAKRA

The Fifth Cakra and its Symbols

The Goddess of Speech Sakti

Thoughts on Hearing

Hearing: Exercises

Synthesis of the Visuddha Cakra

Thoughts on Ego and Responsibility

Thoughts on Kundalini

Meditation on the Light

Chapter Nine: AJNA: THE SIXTH CAKRA

The Sixth Cakra and its Symbols

Ajna Cakra

Concentration Exercise

Synthesis of Ajna Cakra

Exercises for the Ajna Cakra

The Mind

Powers of the Mind

Chapter Ten: POWERS OF THE CAKRAS

Powers of the Cakras: Their Attainment is Mankind's Potential

Powers of Muladhara Cakra

Mantra for the Muladhara Cakra

Powers of Svadhisthana Cakra

Mantra for the Svadhisthana Cakra

Powers of Manipura Cakra

Mantra for the Manipura Cakra

Powers of Anahata Cakra

Mantra for the Anahata Cakra

Powers of Visuddha Cakra

Mantra for the Visuddha Cakra

Powers of Ajna Cakra

Mantra for the Ajna Cakra

Powers of the Cakras

Chapter Eleven: BRAINSTORMING: MIND, CONSCIOUS-NESS, ENERGY

APPENDIX:

Notes:

Different Paths for the Aspirant

The Power of Speech

Mantra

A Further Note on Sex and Celibacy

Mind and Consciousness

Worship

Secret Powers of the Mind

Misunderstandings about Kundalini and Sex

Symptoms of Kundalini

The Potential of Mind

The Gods on Earth

The Descent of the Soul

Recommended Books (bibliography)

About the Author

Index

> Babelio : https://www.babelio.com/livres/Radha-Radha/985791

> RADHA, Journal d'une quête spirituelle, par Swami Sivananda Radha (Arista, 1990, Broché, 227 pages). — Sylvia Hellmann était une danseuse professionnelle d'origine allemande lorsqu'elle quitte brusquement le Canada en 1955 pour Rishikesh (Inde du Nord), où se trouve l'ashram du très grand yogi Sivananda.
Elle devient un de ses disciples. Elle raconte sa vie à l'ashram pendant un peu moins d'un an avec ce très grand initié qui lui demande d'enseigner le yoga en Occident. Elle fonde ensuite un ashram au Canada. Elle a notamment écrit un ouvrage sur le hatha-yoga; elle s'est éteinte en 1995.
Elle est représentée ci-contre face à Sivananda (photo tirée du livre). (Revue Shakti)

Kundalini Yoga is the path to freedom. Swami Radha has translated the esoteric teachings of Kundalini into a practical guide for self-investigation.

This classic yogic text is a resource for personal development, with the tools for discovering our true source of knowledge and inspiration. Using reflection exercises, meditations and breathing techniques, Swami Radha takes us step by step, chakra by chakra, through an exploration of consciousness.

"Kundalini Yoga" (published as "Kundalini Yoga for the West" in the U.S.) is one of the few books on Kundalini Yoga written by a Westerner that strikes as being authentic. Swami Sivananda Radha is very faithful to the tradition, yet finds ways to translate that wisdom into Western terms using psychology and imagery that we are familiar with.

"The importance of Swami Radha's work is becoming more apparent with every passing year. This book, a wonderful achievement, is a gift to all seekers. It is significant, relevant, and timeless." - Gene Kieffer, Founder/Director of the Kundalini Research Foundation

The Divine Light Invocation is a standing meditation that combines the body, breath and mind in a concise practice of identifying with Divine Light. It improves concentration, elevates self-image and encourages balance in everyday life. It is a powerful yogic practice for healing oneself physically, mentally and spiritually, and extending this healing energy to others.

About the Author:

Swami Sivananda Radha (1911 – 1995) is the author of ten classic books on yoga, including "Kundalini Yoga for the West" and "Hatha Yoga: The Hidden Language", and the founder of Ascent magazine. After being initiated by her teacher, Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, India, Swami Radha returned to North America in 1956. She founded Yasodhara Ashram in Canada and the Association for the Development of Human Potential in the United States. Swami Radha dedicated her life to updating the Eastern teachings for the Western mind. By the time of her death at age 84, she had become one of the West’s most highly regarded spiritual teachers.

In this book, Swami Sivananda Radha tells the amazing stories of her personal interactions with more than twenty spiritual giants - men and women, Eastern and Western - including her own guru Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati. She does more than relate her experiences however. She challenges us to realise our own potential.

Swami Radha also clarifies the powers and limitations of gurus, the responsibilities of disciples, and the meaning of the guru-disciple relationship.

The engaging account of Swami Radha's spiritual pilgrimage to India in the 1950's to meet her guru - Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. As a westerner and a woman, Swami Radha overcame incredible physical and emotional challenges to discover truth. Her courageous search for depth and meaning invites reflection on our own personal quest. Swami Radha went on, at Swami Sivananda's request, to found and develop the Yasodhara Ashram in Canada and a form of yoga she called "Hidden Hatha Yoga".

Swami Sivananda Radha explains the broader nature and purpose of yoga asanas. Each posture is like a symbolic gesture that creates a specific effect on the mind and invites reflection on a psychological or spiritual quality. Working with metaphor, symbolism, imagery, and visualisation, Swami Radha explores twenty-two of the most common asanas and guides the student to discover their inner meaning and gain a deeper appreciation of the power of yoga as a tool for self-transformation.

This inspiring compilation offers practical and compassionate guidance on challenging subjects ranging from self-esteem, sex and companionship to difficulties on the spiritual path. Uplifting and accessible, Time to be Holy encourages the reader to translate profound spiritual teachings into daily life.

In "Mantras: Words of Power" Swami Sivananda Radha, a disciple of Swami Sivananda, offers a clear and inspiring key to the power and practice of Mantra Yoga. Mantras are sacred sounds thht resonate with the energy of the Divine and can lead us to the higher self within.

Based on her forty years of personal experience and study this book describes the benefits of mantra in daily life and demonstrates how these sacred syllables can be used to focus the mind, increase awareness and promote healing.

Realities of the Dreaming Mind presents an innovative method of dream interpretation that helps you explore the many dimensions of your own personal dream state. Using the Dream Yoga exercises and practices, discover the messages in your dreams and see how they can offer guidance in your everyday life. This guide to dream analysis thoroughly investigates prophetic dreams, dreams about past lives and dreams containing spiritual guidance. Using her own dream experiences, Swami Sivananda Radha provides practical tools to help you uncover the buried treasure of your subconscious mind.

"In Light and Vibration, Swami Sivananda Radha presents a living philosophy, an exciting exploration of higher consciousness that challenges spiritual preconceptions and stimulates deep reflection.

Based on the understanding that the universe is made up of light and vibration, Swami Radha goes beyond the clothing of religious symbolism to help the student toward enlightenment. She explains how by opening the heart and exercising the mind, we can move beyond form, into more and more subtle realms of awareness.

Light and Vibration is a reminder that we can all access the hidden place of the mind, a place where Light is always present. Swami Radha encourages seekers to undertake this exciting journey into the unknown. She offers us her knowledge of how light and sound can open us to the brilliant universe within.

This book is a gathering of Swami Radha's final years of work and expresses the culmination of her spiritual wisdom. She stretches the breadth of language to connect with the reader and to "explain the unexplainable." [Publisher]

In this book, Swami Sivananda Radha tells the amazing stories of her personal interactions with more than twenty spiritual giants - men and women, Eastern and Western - including her own guru Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati. She does more than relate her experiences however. She challenges us to realise our own potential.

Swami Radha also clarifies the powers and limitations of gurus, the responsibilities of disciples, and the meaning of the guru-disciple relationship.

Swami Sivananda Radha explains the broader nature and purpose of yoga asanas. Each posture is like a symbolic gesture that creates a specific effect on the mind and invites reflection on a psychological or spiritual quality. Working with metaphor, symbolism, imagery, and visualisation, Swami Radha explores twenty-two of the most common asanas and guides the student to discover their inner meaning and gain a deeper appreciation of the power of yoga as a tool for self-transformation.

The engaging account of Swami Radha's spiritual pilgrimage to India in the 1950's to meet her guru - Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. As a westerner and a woman, Swami Radha overcame incredible physical and emotional challenges to discover truth. Her courageous search for depth and meaning invites reflection on our own personal quest. Swami Radha went on, at Swami Sivananda's request, to found and develop the Yasodhara Ashram in Canada and a form of yoga she called "Hidden Hatha Yoga".