Inspired Thoughts of Swami Rama

Available again after many years out of print, Inspired Thoughts of by Swami Rama is a valuable collection of lectures and articles given by Swami Rama during the early years of his mission in the West. Covering a wide range of topics and styles, this book reflects the extraordinary personality of this legendary master of the 20th century. It offers a glimpse into the formative years of Swami Rama's spiritual mission in the West and his unique expression of core themes that define his teachings, including yoga sadhana, meditation in practice, yoga therapy, holistic well-being, the mystery of the mind, kundalini, and the role of spirituality in modern life.

One of the greatest masters of the 20th century, Swami Rama is the founder of the Himalayan Institute. Born in the Himalayas, he studied in both India and Europe, and received his spiritual training in the Himalayan cave monasteries and in Tibet. His best known work, Living with the Himalayan Masters, reveals the many facets of this singular adept and demonstrates his embodiment of the living Himalayan Tradition.

ONE OF THE greatest adepts, teachers, writers, and humanitarians of the 20th century, Swami Rama is the founder of the Himalayan Institute. Born in the Himalayas, he was raised from early childhood by the great Himalayan sage, Bengali Baba. Under the guidance of his master he 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. In addition to this intense spiritual training, Swami Rama received higher education in both India and Europe. From 1949 to 1952, he held the prestigious position of Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham in South India. Thereafter, he returned to his master to receive further training at his cave monastery, and finally, in 1969, came to the United States, where he founded the Himalayan Institute. His bestknown work, Living with the Himalayan Masters, reveals the many facets of this singular adept and demonstrates his embodiment of the living Himalayan Tradition.

This book is a collection of Swami Rama's lectures and articles that have been published in various periodicals and books during the past decade, when he was teaching in America. They have been compiled to make them easily available to the general reader who does not have access to the original sources, and to prevent them from being lost in the shufflings of time. All of Swamiji's significant published pieces (except his Bhagavad Gita and Hi, America! articles) that do not appear elsewhere in any of his English-language books have been included in this collection. The entries are arranged within their sections by theme rather than date.

“The Awakening of Kundalini” first appeared in Kundalini, Evolution and Enlightenment, edited by John White. “Energy of Consciousness in the Human Personality” was written for Metaphors of Consciousness, edited by Ron S. Valle and Rolf von Eckartsberg, ©1981 by Plenum Press, New York, and is reprinted with permission. All other entries are taken from Himalayan Institute publications and have been re-edited for this volume to improve readability.

Many people assisted in gathering this material and presenting it in book form. Thanks go to Barb Bova, Dr. Sudha Thornburg, Theresa O'Brien, Anne Craig, John Miller, and Linda Johnsen. Larry Clark helped edit the text. Patrice Hafford and Darlene Clark typeset the manuscript. Janet Zima designed the book, Dave Gorman took the text photographs, and the cover photo was taken by Dr. Ladd Koresch.

Deepest gratitude is conveyed to Swami Rama for providing these profound teachings to American students and for presenting them in such a practical, understandable manner. The editor is grateful for being able to play some part in extending these teachings to a wider readership. May readers be truly uplifted by these inspired thoughts and apply them sincerely for their spiritual awareness and inner peace.

**Contents and Sample Pages**