Who is Swami Rama of the Himalayas
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A revered Swami, heretic, yogi, fakir, guru, scientist, pioneer, philanthropist, rebel, saint, a rapist... Which one was Swami Rama?
"Swami Rama (1925 - 1996) was born Brij Kishore Dhasmana, to a Northern Indian Brahmin family and became lineage holder of the Sankya Yoga tradition of the Himalayan Masters. He was raised in the Himalayas by his master Bengali Baba, and, under the guidance of his Master, traveled from monastery to monastery and studied with a variety of Himalayan saints and sages, including his grandmaster who was living in a remote region of Tibet. From 1949 to 1952 held the prestigious position of Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham in South India. After returning to Bengali Baba in 1952 and many years of further practice in the Himalayan caves, Swami Rama was encouraged by his teacher to go to the West where he spent a considerable portion of his life teaching, specifically in the United Staes."
"He is especially notable as one of the first yogis to allow himself to be studied by Western scientists. In the 1960s he allowed himself to be examined by scientists at the Menninger Clinic who studied his ability to voluntary control bodily processes (such as heartbeat, blood pressure, body temperature, etc.) that are normally considered to be non-voluntary (autonomic)."
Wikipedia.com
My Experience with Swami Rama
For 20 some odd years, I had been stumbling around experimenting with different meditation practices. I never joined any particular organization because I didn't want to get caught up in following any particular line or teaching. So I basically read a lot of books on Zen Buddhism and meditation in general, and practiced whenever I felt like it. However, when I became aware of Swami Rama and his work and the charitable contributions to many organization; most especially, after I stated to read his books and the challenge he made to his readers to dedicate at least one year (12 months) to meditation using the instructions given in his books, I decided to give it try because I had nothing to loose.
I will not say that I had extraordinary results or that now I can levitate and walk on water, or that I don't get down right pissed every so often. But I have realized a certain degree of calmness, less tiredness, a clearer and more focused mind, less need for sleep, and an awareness that I am in control even under very stressful situations (even if I loose control every once in a while). Let me confess, here and now, that I am not seeking "enlightenment" (whatever that is), and that the results that I've been getting so far are enough for me to continue the practice (in the privacy of my own home) in order to deepen the experience.
Interesting Books by Swami Rama from Amazon
Happiness is Your Creation
Inspirational teachings excerpted from Living with the Himalayan Masters that identify the causes of unhappiness and provide direction to keep centered and joyful.
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The Art of Joyful Living: Meditation and Daily Life
In The Art of Joyful Living Swami Rama imparts a message of inspiration and optimism: that every human being is responsible for making his life happy and then for emanating that happiness to others. This book shows us how, with a clear conception of the philosophy and meaning of life, we can truly enjoy our lives.
Contains sections on: The transformation of habit patterns The nature of negative emotions Transcending desires Developing strength and willpower Memory Developing intuition Spirituality in loving relationships Learning to be your own therapist Understanding the process of meditation. And more!
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Meditation and Its Practice
Clear, concise and easy-to-follow instructions cover all the basics of sitting postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation ...
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Swami Rama of the Himalayas
The biography of Swami Rama complete with over 300 photographs. Proceeds directed to Swami Rama's philanthropic works.
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Living with the Himalayan Masters
The late Sri Swami Rama recalls his own spiritual journey in this memoir. Using specific incidents to illustrate spiritual experiences, he presents a practical guide for those embarking on the path of enlightenment.
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Excerpt from Beyond Biofeedback
Under these scientific conditions, Swami Rama demonstrated the ability to stop his heart from pumping blood for 16.2 seconds and to produce an 11-degree difference in temperature between different parts of the palm of his hand. In one demonstration, using only mental power, he caused a fourteen - inch aluminum knitting needle mounted on a shaft five feet away, to spin."
Excerpt is taken from Beyond Biofeedback by Elmer & Alyce Green, 1977 Knoll Publishing Co., Chapter II: Self-regulation: East and West, pp. 197 - 218. : swamij.com/pdf/swami-rama-beyond-biofeedback.pdf
A Tribute to Swami Rama of the Himalayas
Swami Rama - Master of Yoga, Vedanta, and Tantra
Tribute to Swami Rama of the Himalayas, one of the greatest teachers of Yoga, Vedanta, and Tantra in the twentieth century. Swami Rama was a master of the Himalayan tradition who taught throughout the world and founded the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust and Swami Rama University near Dehradun, India, as well as Sadhana Mandir Ashram in Rishikesh, India, and several independent Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy teaching centers.
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Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation as Taught by Swami Rama
Swami Rama Links
- Swami Rama's Biography
- Swami Rama founded many teaching centers and the Himalayan Institute Hospital. Though installing no successor, many succeed him.
Yoga Meditation Basics
- Index of Articles on Yoga and Meditation as taught by Swami Rama
- Yoga Meditation Index on the Basics of Meditation
It's Never too Late to Meditate
Focus on the Teachings not the Teacher
- Don't Wait Meditate!
- Join the Meditation Challenge that has helped over 100,000 people develop the habit of meditation
The Himalayan Institute
- Articles Index
- Current Issue Articles Archive on:
Asana
Meditation
Pranayama
Yoga Philosophy
Yoga International
Ayurveda & Natural Healing
Yoga in the Kitchen
Eco-Living
Spirituality in Action
Inspiration
etc - Global Humanitarian Projects
- Global Humanitarian Project of the The Himalayan Institute following the tradition of Sri Swami Rama
- Global Humanitarian Projects Blog
- See many video and get updates on the Himalayan Institutes' Global Humanitarian Projects Blog
Other Books by Swami Rama of the Himalayas
Creative Use of Emotion
Swami Rama collaborates with an American-trained psychologist in presenting this practical, holistic perspective on the role of emotions in the development of consciousness. They explain how we can all expand our consciousness from a state of conflict, confusion, and emotionalism to the experience of greater joy and harmony. Many facets of this developmental process are described, along with methods that lead to emotional maturity and expanded consciousness.
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Choosing A Path
This book describes a range of spiritual disciplines and helps you to choose the most appropriate one for you.
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A Practical Guide to Holistic Health
"...excellent manual in everyday preventive medicine in everyday preventive medicine with sound, basic skills indispensable for long term health in body and mind".
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Conscious Living: A Guidebook for Spiritual Transformation
This is a practical book for people living in the world. The word "practical" implies that the teaching can be practiced in the world, in the midst of family, career and social obligations. No prior preparation is required for reading this book, and after reading this book, no further teaching is required.
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Path of Fire and Light (Vol 2): A Practical Companion to Volume One
An inspiriting guide to the systematic science of the path to meditation. Shows how to understand the mind.
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The Dark Side of Swami Rama of the Himalayas
Jurors decide the Himalayan Institute should pay $1.875 million in damages to a woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Swami Rama of the Himalays, see Woman wins $1.8M for lecherous swami , By Richard Phelps, The Philadelphia Daily News National, September 5, 1997 (http://tinyurl.com/g47vh).
You'd be utterly astonished (if not nauseated) by what you did not know about some of our most revered spiritual leaders (from both the East and the West). Read about Swami Rama of the Himalayas in Chapter XI of "Stripping the Gurus: Sex, Violence, Abuse and Enlightenment", by Geoffrey D. Falk, (http://tinyurl.com/2zdbtx). Document is over 3MB and loads slowly, but well worth it.
What Do You Know About Swami Rama?
Share your stories, thoughts, experiences with or about Swami Rama...
chriskelley wrote...
Thanks so much for your wonderful lens. I have been studying Tantra with a teacher who was a disciple of Swami Muktananda for just a year now. I have rolled you my lens on ahimsa.
Namaste
Posted January 28, 2009
Friamin wrote...
Hmmmm?
My Chakra Meditation Lens
http://www.squidoo.com/Chakra_Meditation
Posted August 23, 2008
youhavegottobekidding wrote...
Wow you really given a lot of time and hard work to your Lens.
Posted August 20, 2008
Jorge_Lynch wrote...
I need to correct a statement made in my March 28th comment that could be misleading.
I said: "Swami Rama would have been the first to tell us to focus on the teachings and not on the teaching, and he considered himself a means to an end and not the end itself."
What I meant to say was: "Swami Rama would have been the first to tell us to focus on the teachings and NOT ON THE TEACHER, and he considered himself a means to an end and not the end itself."
The above is a true statement that I've read in several of his books.
Posted July 05, 2008
Jorge_Lynch wrote...
My yoga meditation basics, above, are all from Swami J's website http://www.swamij.com/swamijnaneshvara.htm
Posted March 28, 2008
Jorge_Lynch wrote...
My yoga meditation basics, above, are all from Swami J's website http://www.swamij.com/swamijnaneshvara.htm
Posted March 28, 2008
Jorge_Lynch wrote...
I've closely followed the works of Swami J, especially on his website: http://www.swamij.com/swamijnaneshvara.htm, and think that he is one of the most organized and didactic of Swami Rama's student's. I've often downloaded free (and very instructive) documents from his site that have helped me to gain a deeper understanding of Swami Rama's works and to structure my own practice.
Swami Rama would have been the first to tell us to focus on the teachings and not on the teaching, and he considered himself a means to an end and not the end itself.
Time permitting, I intend to update this lens with information Swami Rama's philanthropic works and to identify some of his students and how they are contributing to help others develop themselves.
Posted March 28, 2008
yoganow wrote
I have been associated with one of Swami Rama's close disciples, Swami J. He has treated me and all of his students with the highest level of integrity. Through his teachings, some have achieved a much deeper understanding of the working of the mind and a profound appreciationg for the underlying Reality of the Self. I have also seen the Hospital and Medical college that Swami Rama built before his death. A powerful testament to a powerful life.
Posted March 27, 2008
by Jorge_Lynch
Striving for Integral Development on a truly ethical foundation committed to truth and the "responsibility of thinking"
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