Basic Self-Study Course

This Basic Course is  for novices or people who want to review the basics of world spirituality again.

I.       General Spirituality

1.      World Religions by Huston Smith. A very lucid and compassionate look at the contribution of every major religion.

2.      Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. A review of 3,000 years of philosophical inquiry in the form of a novel.

II.       Eastern Scriptures

1.      Tattwa Bodha by Shankaracharya. A question-and-answer classic that lays the foundation of Vedanta.

2.      Bhagavad Gita. There are hundreds of translations and commentaries available. Besides Paramahamsa Hariharananda’s unique metaphorical explanation, we recommend the translation by Winthrop Sargeant, Swami Nikhilananda or S. Radhakrishnan.

3.      Upanishads. The essence of the Vedas. The most relevant to the practice of Kriya Yoga are Isha, Katha, Kena, Mundaka, Shvetashvatara, Taittiriya.

4.      Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras. The authoritative text on yoga. We recommend the metaphorical interpretation by Lahiri Mahasaya, commented by Swami Prajñanananda (soon to be published by Kriya Yoga Institute), or Swami Vivekananda’s translation in his Raja Yoga.

5.      Bhaja Govindam (a.k.a. Moha Mudgara) by Shankaracharya. In 31 simple musical stanzas, Adi Shankara exposes the fundamentals of Vedanta.

6.      Dhammapada. The main Buddhist scripture.

III.      Western Scriptures

1.      The Tanakh (a.k.a The Old Testament). The scripture of Judaism.

2.      The Bible. The scripture of Christianity.

3.      The Koran. The scripture of Islam.

IV.      Western Wisdom

1.      The Little Flowers of Saint Francis (13^th Century), translated by Prof. E.M. Blaiklock. The extraordinary life and teachings of St Francis of Assissi.

2.      The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis. This humble monk points out ways to follow Christ's teachings in all circumstances. (15^th Century)

3.      The Spiritual Guide by Michael Molinos (17^th Century). A practical book that advocates a direct and personal relationship with God.

4.      The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (17^th Century). The enduring classical guide for all seekers of union with God.

5.      The Way of a Pilgrim, by an anonymous Russian peasant. The joyful account of a pilgrim trying to practice unceasing prayer across Russia. (19^th Century)

World Scriptures | Basic Course | Advanced Course
Bible | Tanakh | Gita | Vedas | Koran | Buddhism | Misc

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