Swami Rama (1925–1966)

Conscious Living
A Guidebook for Spiritual Transformation
by Swami Rama

This is a 151 page self-help guide that really rocks, I was amazed at how the author had all this very wise and spiritual info right at his fingertips. The simple way of living life in a blessed and gentle manner came through so clearly in the heart warming suggestions throughout. There were even diagrams to help us breathe deeper and pull the light right into ourselves, in fact, I just loved that whole section on breath.

show more The really cool thing about this spirit filled regime is it only takes a commitment of about 15 minutes twice a day to get centered, grounded and strongly focused on your path to enlightenment. I would recommend this precious primer to seekers everywhere, this little buddy has it all. Thank you Swami Rama, for giving us a simple way for the ordinary people to reach Light.

Love & Light,

Riki Frahmann show less

I got this on inter-library loan, primarily because of an article in Yoga International magazine. The book is divided into 10 chapters. Each chapter is written almost as a stream of consciousness narrative on the topic of the chapter. There are some interesting insights and some things that are a bit of a stretch (as in the statement that you can meditate so deeply that you will lose the need for sleep.)

People laughed at the image of pretzel-legged yogis focusing on the tip of their noses-until swami Rama walked into a laboratory and showed scientists what a yogi with control over his respiration can actually do. Before astoisehd researchers, he demonstrated perfect control over his heart rate and brain waves-control physiologists hadn't believed humans could possibly achieve.

For thousands of years, yogic adepts, masters of inner science, have claimed that breath is the essental link show more between body and mind, energizing a 'subtle body' which connects the physical and mental aspects of our being. In this landmark book, Swami Rama and two noted American physicians explore India's 'Science of Breath' from both Eastern and Western perspectives, revealing how this neglected subject may be the missing key to both physical health and the exploration of higher states of consciousness. Swami Rama also shares some of the basic breathing techniqes practiced by the Himalayan yogis so that we can begin immediately working with this powerful ancient science.

Swami Rama founded the Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosphy, the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust in India, and many centers throughout the world. A student of both Himalayan cave monasteries and European universities, he founded the Himalayan Institute to create a bridge between the ancient teachings of the East and modern scientific approaches of the west.

Rudolph Ballentine, M.D., is a respected leader in the field of alternative and complementary medicine. A physician and psychiatrist, he studied medicine in the U.S., psychology in the U.S. and France, and both Ayurveda and homeopathy in India.

Alan Hymes, M.D., is a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon. A pioneer in the field of breath research, he has studied the interrelationship between breathing patterns and cardiovascular disease.

Contents

Foreword by Linda Johnsen
Introduction by John Clarke
Why bother with breath?-Yoga and the body of energy
Respiration and the chest-The mechanics of breathing by Alan Hymes
Following yur nose-Nasal function and energy by Rudolph Ballentine
Portal to higher awareness-The science of breath by swami Rama
Recommendations for further study (bibliography)
Index show less

I'm glad to read some background that I didn't know about Swami Rama. He was my first Guru. The day before Halloween 1972 I'd hitchhiked across Illinois to find him, based on a friend's advice. He fed me chapatis he cooked himself, took me aside to a quiet room, and gave me a mantra, initiating me into his following, then put me up for the night. Charming fellow, but as a penniless hippie living on a rural commune at the time, affording his lectures wasn't easy. I made friends, worked gratis show more in Shakti Bookstore in Madison, WI for a time, but ultimately moved deeper into the Tibetan Buddhist orbit. show less