Concentration and Meditation/14th Edition

This book immediately spoke to me, a passage detailed events in my past that have troubled me since childhood. Then, twice, I opened this to a random page and a particular passage seemed to be highlighted and again, addressed a current mental/psychological vexation.After this I happened to look at the publication date and was surprised to see "1945"!Now, there are portions and phrases that date it, such as using "he" when referring to an typical practitioner and addressing the reader as if expecting nearly all would be male. I study the works of one of his students who is the late Swami Sivananda Radha, an extraordinary woman who became his student in 1955.Despite this, the section on 'resistance' is of great assistance, he identifies more than I would have considered resistance of the ego to spiritual growth. Also, many chapters, despite having a couple words here and there that date it, could have been written yesterday; this contains what I thought were current 'catch phrases' popular in spirituality and psychology today. Surprise! This is thousands of years old but, translates ancient knowledge from Sanskrit and Hindi to English.Separating concentration from meditation is of great assistance, as it is a process one must experience and practice to grow. This text offers encouragement and assistance to those on the path as well as anyone trying to address and correct their scattered thinking due to the impact to using mobile devices, etc.Finally, he states that to ultimately succeed on the path, one must have devotion and dedication and be prepared to "stare down the barrel of a gun" and remain steadfast in their resolve. He was a Natropathic Physician running a clinic in Malaysia during WWII. This was then part of the United Kingdom and was occupied by Japanese forces. So, he doesn't make these statements lightly, he stared down the barrels of guns in order to protect his patients, staff and self.Also, this demonstrates that he wasn't a monk who spent their life in an Ashram. He was battling disease and protecting civilians during the time of war. His life experiences are beyond what most people encounter and know what it takes to overcome obstacles and succeed in life and on the spiritual path.This will serve all practitioner's in many aspects of life--it's an invaluable resource, just be prepared to forgive minor transgressions of today's ultra-sensitive PC standards!I wish you well on your journey.

My passion for yoga has developed strongly over the last couple of years. I went through a teacher training and received certification. I hunger for authentic information on yoga. I feel bombarded by feel-good, hippy-dippy, yoga-lite stuff. These older books are the real deal. They are written with quite a few Sanskrit terms which may be off putting to some people (not me) there is a glossary in the back, it doesn't list every word. I say keep reading anyhow - the more you immerse yourself in the culture the more you understand. Namaste!

My favorite thing about Swami Sivananda is that he gets to the point. He gives clear and helpful advice on anyone looking to better understand the topics of dharana, and higher meditative states. He is authoritative, yet kind, firm in getting you to actually practice, yet lenient on the types and methods of practice and advice he offers. He wants to experience these states and see for yourself. And there is no question of his own mastery or if he has been there himself - that shines through clearly.

this guy is all wise good if you don't like the facts of real yoga and self discipline don't read him i all wise have a lot of books on this swami in short this is real stuff control your mind emotions and sexual energy and in all reality only then our you doing yoga that's the truth there wise your new age dreaming

A must for all serious students in meditationConcentration & MeditationBySwami SivanandaOn reading this book I was impressed by the thorough and serious way the author approached the subject. There is no omission anywhere, starting from the first steps one should take in order to learn how to concentrate until the disciples passes from this stage to meditation and later, depending on how serious he is, to Samadhi.All the problems and hindrances likely to be met on the way are also thoroughly dealt with leaving, so to speak, no stone unturned.Having myself practiced meditation for the last thirty years, the detailed explanations and repetitions, both pleased me but at times tired me, although I cannot but admit that in every case the serious student will find it both useful and necessary a guidance for all steps of the way.Gabriella KasoulidouAuthor of Angels' Gardens[...]

This book is supremely important to have among your collections. Nothing that’s of spiritual importance in light of mind development and concentration, that is not already in this one of a kind, groundbreaking work.

Helpful words of advice from a master of meditation. Wonderful insights, amazing overview and a beautiful perspective. I thank India for producing such truly spiritual, embodied souls who are beacon lights on the path back to the all Light.

I really like book, very clear and well written but because i lack concentration, i soon started reading something else and never finished it.OMG!