₹500
Lessons in Practising Yoga’ is a comprehensive book on the philosophy of Yoga and how to practise it. Yoga is the workshop of Indian Philosophy and the soul of Indian Culture. For the proper understanding of what Yoga is and what its purpose is, the book covers, in detail, the whole gamut of Indian philosophy comprising the Trinity of God, Soul and Nature and the Triad of Bondage of Karma, Reincarnation of Soul and Liberation. Ashtanga Yoga
of Maharishi Patanjali is essentially a spiritual discipline. Accordingly, the book lays due emphasis on Moral Discipline and Meditation. The book contains tips as to how to elevate oneself spiritually and how to meditate apart from how to do the
Yoga-asanas and Pranayama exercises. The book is replete with relevant quotations of renowned philosophers and scientists as also references from the scriptures of major Religions of the world. The book stresses the universality of Yoga, stating that Yoga is both spiritual and secular. Those who meditate
on material subjects attain knowledge of worldly matters as did Newton discover the Law of Gravity. And those who meditate on spiritual matters, advance spiritually as did Swami Dayananda Sarasvati, Swami Vivekananda and Yogi Aurobindo Ghosh. Rev. Albert Mohler Jr. said ‘You may be twisting yourself into pretzels or grass hoppers, but if there is no meditation or direction of consciousness, you are not practising Yoga’.
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Contents
Prayer — Pgs. 7
In Praise of God — Pgs. 9
The Divine Promise — Pgs. 10
Message — Pgs. 11
Foreword — Pgs. 13
Preface — Pgs. 15
Transliteration Key — Pgs. 18
Section I
Vedic Philosophy in Diagram — Pgs. 27
1. Introduction to the Philosophy of Yoga — Pgs. 29
2. Yoga: The Science of Mind — Pgs. 30
3. The Purpose of Yoga — Pgs. 33
4. The Universality of Yoga — Pgs. 35
5. Misconceptions about Yoga — Pgs. 37
6. The Constituents of Yoga — Pgs. 39
7. Step I: Moral Discipline — Pgs. 42
8. Step II: Asana (Physical Exercises) — Pgs. 45
9. Step III: Pranayama (Breathing Exercises) — Pgs. 46
10. Step IV: Meditation — Pgs. 49
11. What is Meditation? — Pgs. 50
12. Meditation: Revelation of Secrets of Nature — Pgs. 52
13. Meditation: Source of Supernatural Powers — Pgs. 53
14. Experiences in the Hour of Meditation (Anubhuti) — Pgs. 56
15. Meditation: Way to Realisation of Self and God — Pgs. 59
Section II
16. The Fundamentals of Ancient Indian Philosophy — Pgs. 67
17. Proofs of Existence of God — Pgs. 69
18. Nature, Attributes and Functions of God — Pgs. 78
19. Nature and Activities of Soul (JIVA) — Pgs. 82
20. Is Time of Death Pre-determined? — Pgs. 86
21. Where is the Soul Located in the Body? — Pgs. 87
22. Relationship between God and Soul — Pgs. 89
23. God and Souls – Entirely Different Entities — Pgs. 92
24. What is Nature (Prakriti) and Its Role — Pgs. 95
25. The Doctrine of Maya (Illusion) — Pgs. 98
26. The Concept of Trividha (Three-fold) Brahma — Pgs. 101
27. The Doctrine of Karma — Pgs. 104
28. The Gita’s Views on Karma, Akarma, Vikarma — Pgs. 107
29. Karma and Destiny (Bhgaya) — Pgs. 109
30. Non-Hindu Sciptures’ and Philosophers’ Views on Karma — Pgs. 113
31. The Doctrine of Reincarnation of Soul — Pgs. 115
32. Proofs of Soul’s Reincarnation — Pgs. 117
33. Views of Renowned Philosophers on Reincarnation of Soul — Pgs. 122
34. References of Reincarnation in Non-Hindu Religions — Pgs. 126
35. The Doctrine of Moksha (Liberation) — Pgs. 129
36. Is Moksha an Eternal State? — Pgs. 133
37. Belief in Return from Liberated State (Moksha)
in Non-Hindu Cultures — Pgs. 136
38. Yoga – The Workshop of Indian Culture and Philosophy — Pgs. 137
39. Arise! Awake! — Pgs. 139
Section III
40. Practical Lessons in Yoga — Pgs. 147
Step I: Moral Discipline
41. Moral Conduct — Pgs. 163
42. Treat Others Like Thyself — Pgs. 164
43. Follow the Dictates of Your Conscience — Pgs. 166
44. Think about the Opposite or Adverse Consequences — Pgs. 168
45. Be Always Mindful of Death and God — Pgs. 170
46. Inculcate Feelings of Detachment — Pgs. 172
47. Self-Introspection (ATMA – NIRIKSAN) — Pgs. 174
48. Complete Control over Senses (Pratyahar) — Pgs. 176
Step II: Asana (Physical Exercises)
49. Instructions Regarding Asana and Health — Pgs. 179
50. Meditation-Related Asanas — Pgs. 182
51. Health-Related Asanas — Pgs. 184
52. Dhanur Asana (Bow Posture) — Pgs. 186
53. Bhujanga Asana (Cobra Posture) — Pgs. 187
54. Pashchimottan Asana (Forward- Bending Posture) — Pgs. 188
55. Matsya Asana (Fish Posture) — Pgs. 189
56. Ardhamatsyendra Asana (Spinal Twist Posture) — Pgs. 190
57. Gomukh Asana (Cow-Head Posture) — Pgs. 191
58. Makar Asana (Crocodile Posture) — Pgs. 192
59. Sarvanga Asana (All-Limbs Posture) — Pgs. 193
60. Hala Asana (Plough Posture) — Pgs. 194
61. ShIrSa-Asana (Head Posture) — Pgs. 195
62. Surya (Isha) Namaskar Asana (Salutation to God) — Pgs. 196
63. Satkarma (Six Procedures) — Pgs. 199
Step III: Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)
64. Instructions Regarding Pranayama: — Pgs. 203
65. Meditation-Related Trividha Pranayama — Pgs. 206
66. Meditation-Related Chathurtha (Fourth) Pranayama — Pgs. 208
67. Health-Related Svar Parivartan (Altering Breath)
Nadi Shodan (Cleansing of Nerves)/Anulom
Vilom Pranayama — Pgs. 210
68. Health-Related Svar Parivartan Pranayama
(Altering Breath): Sûrya Bhedi/Chandra Bhedi Pranayama — Pgs. 212
69. SthantrayI Pranayama (Three-Stage Breathing) — Pgs. 213
70. Bhastrika (Bellow Breathing) — Pgs. 215
71. UjayyI Pranayama (Throat- Massaging Pranayama) — Pgs. 216
72. ShItali/ShItkari Pranayama (Cooling Exercise) — Pgs. 217
73. Kapal Bhati (Head-Glow Pranayama) — Pgs. 218
74. Bhramari (Bumble Bee) Pranayama — Pgs. 219
75. Synchronised Breathing – Pranic Healing
(Tartamay Pranayama) — Pgs. 220
Step IV: Meditation
76. Important Observations regarding Meditation — Pgs. 225
77. Trataka : Open-Eyed Concentration — Pgs. 227
78. Meditation by Concentration on the Breath — Pgs. 229
79. Meditation by Concentration on Your Forehead
(Agya Chakra) — Pgs. 230
80. Meditation by Concentration on Navel Chakra — Pgs. 231
81. Meditation by Recitation of a Mantra or Hymn or Ayat — Pgs. 232
82. Meditation by Concentration on Objects of Nature — Pgs. 233
83. Meditation by Concentration on Sound (Anahat Nada) — Pgs. 234
84. Meditation on Eight Chakras — Pgs. 236
85. Meditation on Any Object of Liking — Pgs. 238
86. Therapeutic Meditation — Pgs. 241
87. Self-Confidence– Related Meditation — Pgs. 243
88. Contemplative Prayer Healing — Pgs. 246
89. Total Devotion to God – Ishvara Pranidhana
(Does God Listen to One’s Prayers?) — Pgs. 248
90. Experiences (Anubhûti) During Meditation — Pgs. 251
मूल संस्कृत उद्धरण — Pgs. 253
(Sanskrit Text in Devanagari Script in Annexture)
Lessons in Practising Yoga’ is a comprehensive book on the philosophy of Yoga and how to practise it. Yoga is the workshop of Indian Philosophy and the soul of Indian Culture. For the proper understanding of what Yoga is and what its purpose is, the book covers, in detail, the whole gamut of Indian philosophy comprising the Trinity of God, Soul and Nature and the Triad of Bondage of Karma, Reincarnation of Soul and Liberation. Ashtanga Yoga
of Maharishi Patanjali is essentially a spiritual discipline. Accordingly, the book lays due emphasis on Moral Discipline and Meditation. The book contains tips as to how to elevate oneself spiritually and how to meditate apart from how to do the
Yoga-asanas and Pranayama exercises. The book is replete with relevant quotations of renowned philosophers and scientists as also references from the scriptures of major Religions of the world. The book stresses the universality of Yoga, stating that Yoga is both spiritual and secular. Those who meditate
on material subjects attain knowledge of worldly matters as did Newton discover the Law of Gravity. And those who meditate on spiritual matters, advance spiritually as did Swami Dayananda Sarasvati, Swami Vivekananda and Yogi Aurobindo Ghosh. Rev. Albert Mohler Jr. said ‘You may be twisting yourself into pretzels or grass hoppers, but if there is no meditation or direction of consciousness, you are not practising Yoga’.