Wednesday, July 21, 2010

My favorite texts

Aum Namah Shivaya

Aum Shri Ganeshaaya Namah


My students and friends often ask me about my favorite reads, here are the ones I come back to time and time again. These are the texts that inspire my practice and my teaching. I hope you enjoy!

The one text that I always have with me and read over and over again is Shri Bhagavad Gita. I am forever in debt to my Guruji Shri Shri Yogeshvaraji for spending endless hours discussing the Gita with me. When all else fails, or I despair, I turn to these teaching for guidance. I have really enjoyed the version with commentary by Abhinavagupta, and the version translated and commentated by S. Radhakrishnan.

In the past two months I have read the Adhyatma Ramayana at least 3 times. In particular Srirama-hridayam, and Ram's sermon to Lakshman on the nature of Maya, the steps that lead to Jnana, Vijnana, and the realization of Paramatman.

The other texts that I seem to pick up at least once a week are the Tripura Rahasya, translated by Swami Sri Ramananda. Chandi Path, translated by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Hatha Yoga Pradipika, translated by Swami Muktibodhananda. Sri Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, translated by Swami Satyasangananda Saraswati.

I am blessed to have been exposed to this amazing wealth of spiritual knowledge from my Guruji, as well as the Sadhus and Swamijis I have had the chance to study with.

Jaya Shri Guru Deva!