Hinduism

The eighteen chapters of The Bhagavad Gita (c. 500 b.c.), the glory of Sanskrit literature, encompass the whole spiritual struggle of a human soul. Its three central themes—love, light, and life—arise from the symphonic vision of God in all things and of all things in God. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking

A delightfully straightforward and lyrical retelling of the ancient Indian epic of loyalty, betrayal, redemption and insight into the true nature of life—one of history's most sacred ethical works, rendered with completeness and sterling accuracy for the modern reader.Here is one of the world's most hallowed works of sacred literature, the grand, sweeping epic of the divine bowman and warrior, Ram

In 1975, in an isolated Himalayan forest, Daniel Odier met Lalita Devi, a Tantric yogini who took him on a mystical journey beyond the limits of sexual experience to transcend the ego, recognize the true self, and rediscover the Divine nature of absolute love. Now, after decades of integrating the profound wisdom of his master, Odier shares the secret teachings and self-realization practices of th

Kriya yoga is an ancient meditation technique that focuses on breathing and the spine to unlock deep states of awareness, self-realization, and spiritual growth. Kriya can provide a fast path to awakening, yet its practice has been shrouded in secrecy, passed only from master to initiate for millennia. Introduced into Kriya 40 years ago, Keith Lowenstein, M.D., offers an accessible yet detailed gu

Yogananda, considered by many to be the father of modern yoga, has had an unsurpassed global impact thanks to the durability of his teachings, the institutions he created or inspired and especially his iconic memoir, Autobiography of a Yogi. But it doesn't tell the whole story. Much of Yogananda's seminal text is devoted to tales about other people and it largely overlooks the three vital decad

Among the oldest of India's spiritual texts, the Upanishads are records of intensive question-and-answer sessions given by illumined sages to their students - in ashrams, at family gatherings, in a royal court, and in the kingdom of Death. The sages share flashes of insight, extraordinary visions, the results of their investigation into consciousness itself. The Upanishads have puzzled and inspire

King Kubera was the greediest man in the world. Hated and feared by many, he schemed to win the love of the beautiful goddess Parvati . . . but learned an important lesson when he invited her elephant-headed son Ganesha over for lunch one day . . . So goes one of the many delightful tales in this decidedly grown-up book of traditional Indian stories, retold for the modern reader. Author Kamla Kapu

The End of Karma presents an easy-to-use 40-day program that will help you become enlightened. By reading and thinking about one chapter a day, you can get a better understanding of all aspects of spirituality and come to know your Higher Power, or God.

The author draws on the powerful imagery of painting, sculpture, and literature in this celebration of the Hindu goddess.

This comprehensive record of Krishnamurti's teachings is an excellent, wide-ranging introduction to the great philosopher's thought. With among others, Jacob Needleman, Alain Naude, and Swami Venkatasananda, Krishnamurti examines such issues as the role of the teacher and tradition; the need for awareness of 'cosmic consciousness; the problem of good and evil; and traditional Vedanta methods of he

A groundbreaking work on myth, symbol, and ritual by one of the most acclaimed historians of our time. In The Sacred and the Profane, Mircea Eliade observes that while contemporary people believe their world is entirely profane or secular, they still at times find themselves connected unconsciously to the memory of something sacred. It's this premise that both drives Eliade's exhaustive explorat

Meditation is a subject of universal interest, practised by seekers of all traditions on the quest for serenity, peace and blessedness. Among the many traditions of meditation in Hinduism, Yoga and Vedanta have passed the test of time, proving as vital today as they were throughout the ages in helping seekers overcome the maladies of life and attain the greatest spiritual fulfilment. In one compre

Sensual is a guide to understanding the inner spark we are all born with, why and how we lose it, and how to reclaim our power to live the life we truly want. Sensuality is about more than just pleasure. Sensuality is an innate power that can help you to tune in to your body, mind, and spirit. To be sensual is to know yourself so intimately that you can move through life with confidence and cla

Related with simplicity and sincerity, the anecdotes in this firsthand account detail author Renata Caddy's experiences with Babaji, an eternal being and figure in Indian spirituality. Through personal stories and photographs, Caddy describes her first meeting with Babaji during a stay in India in 1978 as well as the 72 encounters that followed in the next six years, until Babaji gave up his human

A classic work of Indian philosophy that succinctly spells out how the mind works and what is needed to attain liberation   Compiled in the second or third century CE, the Yoga-Sutra is a road map of human consciousness—and a particularly helpful guide to the mind states one encounters in meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices. It expresses the truths of the human condition

The renowned Indian sage Ramana Maharshi is beloved by Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Taoists alike for the inspirational power of his teachings, which transcend all religious differences. Here is a collection of Sri Ramana's instructions and discourses culled from three works: "Who Am I? ," " Spiritual Instructions ," ""and" Maharshi's Gospel. "These teachings are arranged by topics such as w

Death is a subject obscured by fear and denial. When we do think of dying, we are more often concerned with how to avoid the pain and suffering that may accompany our death than we are with really confronting the meaning of death and how to approach it. Sushila Blackman places death--and life--in a truer perspective, by telling us of others who have left this world with dignity. "Graceful Exits