The Tradition of the Himalayan Masters

"The tradition of the Himalayan sages in an unbroken chain extending for thousands of years, a living tradition that still exists today, undisturbed by the passage of time of other external changes. This tradition is not concerned with teaching that are limited to their applicability to any era of history or to any geographical region of the world - its entire emphasis is on the experience of that Truth which is eternal and universal. May all who read important book make progress on their spiritual journey."
-From the Introduction by Swami Rama

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D., a disciple of Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayans, is spiritual director of the Himalayan International Institute. He received his higher education from the universities at Benares and Allahabad in India, and from the University of Pennsylvania. He has also written Seven System of Indian Philosophy and Yoga on War and Peace.

Contents:

Introduction by Swami Rama
1  Origin and Development of the Tradition
    Narayana: The Primordial Sage
    The Literary Sources of the Tradition
    The Different Facets of the Teaching
    The Basic Teachings
    The Faces of Truth

2  Sanatkumara
    Narada's Dilemma
    Sanatkumara Enlightens Narada

3  Vashistha
    Vashistha Learns a Lesson
    Vashistha's Philosophy of Reflectionism
    The Problem of Mind
    Taming the Senses and Taming the Mind
    Six Qualities of Mind
 
4  Dattatreya

5  Parashurama
    Upheaveal
    Initiation and Practice
    Parashurama Question His Teacher
    The Company of the Saints
    The Relativity of Time and Space
    Mind, Meditation, and Self-Mastery
    The Purpose of Spiritual Practices
    Categories of Enlightened Beings

6  Shankaracharya
    Encounter with a Crocodile
    Search for the Master
    Shankara Commands the River
    The Beginning of His Mission
    Shankaracharya's Visit to Benares
    Shankaracharya's Visit to Himalayas 
    The Encounter with Kumarila
    The Meeting with Mandana Mishra
    The Monasteries
    Conclusion

7  Vidyaranya Yati
    Vidyaranya Finds His Guru
    Discourses of Truth
 
8  Madhusudana Saraswati
    Madhusudana Moves to Brindravan
    A Journey of Benares
    The Vision of the Lord
    Madhusudana's Transformation
    How God Is Both Immanent and Transcendent
 
9  Swami Rama of the Himalayas
    Spiritual Training in Early Childhood
    Intense Meditation on the Gayatri Mantra
    Preparation for Becoming a Swami
    Gold in the Turban
    Initiation into Sanyasa
    On the Banks of the Narmada
    Tenure as Shankaracharya
    A Decode of Intense Practice
    Journey to the West 
    A Glimpse of Swamiji's Teachings

10 Putting the Teachings in Perspective
    Look at the Broad Picture of Life
    Start from Where You Are 
    Choose a Path
    Physical Experience
    How Much and When to Exercise
    Breathing Exercises
    Relaxation Exercises
    Meditation
    The Real Journey