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Metaphysical Meditations
This little book offers definite metaphysical methods of meditation for the student who has already struggled through the mobs of rowdy thought and has entered the portals of silence. The meditations are of three prayers or demands addressed to God, affirmations about God, and those spoken to the individual consciousness. devotion and worship; meditations on God; expansion of consciousness; on finding God; on material concerns; on self-improvement; Christmas meditations.
123 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1932
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About the author
Paramahansa Yogananda
879 books2,203 followersParamahansa Yogananda (Bengali: পরমহংস যোগানন্দ Pôromohôngsho Joganondo, Sanskrit: परमहंस योगानंद Paramahaṃsa Yogānaṃda), born Mukunda Lal Ghosh (Bengali: মুকুন্দ লাল ঘোষ Mukundo Lal Ghosh), was an Indian yogi and guru who introduced many westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his book,
Autobiography of a Yogi
.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 20, 2016
According to a 2014 survey by CBS News, the preferred Beatles in the United States are Paul and John. The least popular is George (though I'd have thought it was Ringo). And although I do have my John moments (he's definitely my second favorite, and sometimes my first), I'm always drawn back to George. It's a bit unconventional, I admit, but I think that George Harrison is my favorite Beatle. Yes, this shocking confession is true. I am among the 8% of Americans who favors George over the other Beatles. And it was probably this esteem for George Harrison (and his friend Ravi Shankar) that first put Paramahansa Yogananda on my radar. I had later read that Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi was not only one of George's favorites, but was also listed as one of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' most cherished reads.
Several years ago I went to the Self Realization Center in Encinitas, CA and although I considered picking up a copy of Yogananda's autobiography at the time, I didn't. In fact, I passed it up on many occasions, and though I'd intended to read the book for some years, I still haven't done so. I didn't even buy it until very recently, at the Self Realization Center in Los Angeles. I've yet to read the autobiography (it's currently in my immediate to-read pile, which means I'll probably get to it in a few weeks or maybe months). In the meantime I also picked up this little book, Metaphysical Meditations, one of many texts written by the prolific Paramahansa Yogananda, and pushed it to the front of my to-read queue.
It's a useful little book filled with meditations to help focus one's thoughts and clear the mind, some very beautifully written, with lines like "Mother Divine, draw aside Thy glittering veil of cosmic motion pictures . . .," "I am the prince of peace playing in a drama of sad and happy dreams on the stage of experience" and "The man of initiative creates something from nothing; he makes the impossible possible by the great inventive power of spirit" (and I was reminded of George's music and of Jack Kerouac's The Scripture of the Golden Eternity, and also of a number of 19th and 20th century poets who have dabbled in Eastern religions and philosophies).
There is nothing overtly profound in the collection, but it could be said that the work is profound in its simplicity. For initiates in the art (or science, as Yogananda prefers) of meditation this is a good introduction, as it includes a brief discussion on how to meditate and also provides readers with several guided meditations. For those already familiar with meditation and the general ideas espoused by those like Yogananda it's a good little refresher, with some beautiful language that blossoms to the surface every now and again, much like a sacred lotus flower.
It's a short little read and is good for focusing the mind. Yogananda's influence is not easy to ignore; he made these Eastern thoughts accessible to Westerners perhaps more so than any before him. But his influence probably seems minute today, with Yoga studios on every other corner and corporations sponsoring weekend meditation retreats, just as the influence and inventiveness of films like Citizen Kane and Hiroshima, Mon Amour may be unappreciated by modern viewers who fail to trace the techniques and ideas they have become so familiar with to their roots. But although one may be a pioneer, another may take the ideas still further, make them more accessible, more artistic, more valuable. Better than anything written here by Yogananda I think are the words of George, especially when set to music:
Try to realise it's all within yourself
No one else can make you change
And to see you're really only very small
And life flows on within you and without you
With George on the sitar (plus the other instrumentation), it's really sublime. In a way, perhaps George (himself a Westerner, with his influence as a Beatle) made these Eastern thoughts accessible to an even greater number than Yogananda and helped expand the consciousness of millions. Then again naysayers may argue that it was just the effects of the LSD.
Several years ago I went to the Self Realization Center in Encinitas, CA and although I considered picking up a copy of Yogananda's autobiography at the time, I didn't. In fact, I passed it up on many occasions, and though I'd intended to read the book for some years, I still haven't done so. I didn't even buy it until very recently, at the Self Realization Center in Los Angeles. I've yet to read the autobiography (it's currently in my immediate to-read pile, which means I'll probably get to it in a few weeks or maybe months). In the meantime I also picked up this little book, Metaphysical Meditations, one of many texts written by the prolific Paramahansa Yogananda, and pushed it to the front of my to-read queue.
It's a useful little book filled with meditations to help focus one's thoughts and clear the mind, some very beautifully written, with lines like "Mother Divine, draw aside Thy glittering veil of cosmic motion pictures . . .," "I am the prince of peace playing in a drama of sad and happy dreams on the stage of experience" and "The man of initiative creates something from nothing; he makes the impossible possible by the great inventive power of spirit" (and I was reminded of George's music and of Jack Kerouac's The Scripture of the Golden Eternity, and also of a number of 19th and 20th century poets who have dabbled in Eastern religions and philosophies).
There is nothing overtly profound in the collection, but it could be said that the work is profound in its simplicity. For initiates in the art (or science, as Yogananda prefers) of meditation this is a good introduction, as it includes a brief discussion on how to meditate and also provides readers with several guided meditations. For those already familiar with meditation and the general ideas espoused by those like Yogananda it's a good little refresher, with some beautiful language that blossoms to the surface every now and again, much like a sacred lotus flower.
It's a short little read and is good for focusing the mind. Yogananda's influence is not easy to ignore; he made these Eastern thoughts accessible to Westerners perhaps more so than any before him. But his influence probably seems minute today, with Yoga studios on every other corner and corporations sponsoring weekend meditation retreats, just as the influence and inventiveness of films like Citizen Kane and Hiroshima, Mon Amour may be unappreciated by modern viewers who fail to trace the techniques and ideas they have become so familiar with to their roots. But although one may be a pioneer, another may take the ideas still further, make them more accessible, more artistic, more valuable. Better than anything written here by Yogananda I think are the words of George, especially when set to music:
Try to realise it's all within yourself
No one else can make you change
And to see you're really only very small
And life flows on within you and without you
With George on the sitar (plus the other instrumentation), it's really sublime. In a way, perhaps George (himself a Westerner, with his influence as a Beatle) made these Eastern thoughts accessible to an even greater number than Yogananda and helped expand the consciousness of millions. Then again naysayers may argue that it was just the effects of the LSD.
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December 16, 2024C and I spent all year reading these to each other before bed
March 16, 2017
I was looking through this for something specific, and then realized I'd never actually read it all the way through, small though it is. So I did. It's really a lovely little book to carry around in your pocket and dip into throughout the day for a reminder of God. Sort of a miniature Whispers From Eternity. Mostly bite-sized prayers and affirmations, with some slightly longer passages that could work as guided meditations.
October 29, 2020
A nice little book
November 10, 2024
“La puerta de mi amistad esta por siempre abierta, en la misma medida, tanto para aquellos hermanos que me odian como para aquellos que me aman.”
November 1, 2024
Metaphysical Meditations is an interesting volume. It was written by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1964. He introduced Kriya Yoga to the United States, and founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920. He is the author of Autobiography of a Yogi, which was first published in 1946 and continues to be one of the best-selling spiritual philosophy titles of all time. Meditations is a tiny pocketbook, only 5.25” x “3.5.” with only 115 pages. The publisher’s price was $.60.
I’ve owned this book for over fifty-five years and in the past have used it as a meditation guide. I don’t refer to it very often anymore. Many entries are addressed to a supernatural being:” Our Lord,” “Divine Spirit,” and “Beloved God.” It’s a bit too paternalistic for me. I’m not looking for a relationship with a being outside myself, I’m looking for the divine that already resides within. I prefer Shikantaza, “Sitting quietly, doing nothing.” There are no rules, no chants, just sit. Om.
I’ve owned this book for over fifty-five years and in the past have used it as a meditation guide. I don’t refer to it very often anymore. Many entries are addressed to a supernatural being:” Our Lord,” “Divine Spirit,” and “Beloved God.” It’s a bit too paternalistic for me. I’m not looking for a relationship with a being outside myself, I’m looking for the divine that already resides within. I prefer Shikantaza, “Sitting quietly, doing nothing.” There are no rules, no chants, just sit. Om.
January 2, 2024
This is a book we can all use. It may push some buttons for those whose religious beliefs run counter to the Eastern philosophies and/or Christian views. Paramahansa Yogananda comes from the Hindu tradition, but also resonates with the teachings of Jesus. These prayers and affirmations draw on universal truths and wisdom by which we can guide our lives.
Meditating on these bring the reader hope, peace, joy and realization when used as instructed. They address specific areas of interest to seekers who have a sincere longing for a better, deeper life. This little book is an excellent tool to complement a meditation practice.
Meditating on these bring the reader hope, peace, joy and realization when used as instructed. They address specific areas of interest to seekers who have a sincere longing for a better, deeper life. This little book is an excellent tool to complement a meditation practice.
March 13, 2021
I found great comfort in the prayers, meditations, and poems in this little book, which I carried on my person to reflect on in my free moments. The words of Paramahansa Yogananda helped me through a personal crisis, many years ago; as this book extols a direct connection with and appreciation of universal meditations outside of dogmatic norms.
August 15, 2017
Excellent.
Very good book! I plan to read it again and again. The visions brought on from reading this book are of peace and love.
Very good book! I plan to read it again and again. The visions brought on from reading this book are of peace and love.
June 24, 2019
I like this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2020
Demasiado religioso, pensé que hablaría menos de Dios
October 16, 2021
why do people fall for this crap?
November 7, 2021
Little hand book to inspire growth in meditation.
June 15, 2012
A good daily reader
Read
May 21, 2013a good guide into deeper meditation
Read
September 11, 2013This is a book that will stay by my bed. It is not something you read through and then are done.
June 25, 2015
Nice collection of soothing meditations that can help calm your thought-process during stressful times.
April 21, 2017
Very generic.
Very generic. No details on meditation stages. Good for some nice thoughts. Not a must read. Read if you want to get good quotes.
Very generic. No details on meditation stages. Good for some nice thoughts. Not a must read. Read if you want to get good quotes.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews