radams@cerritos.edu (Roger Adams) (03/09/91)
There is an excellent book on mantras and meditation published by the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in Pennsylvania. The author is (I believe) Pandit Arya. The book points out that a true mantra must be given by a true guru but the book does go into origins of mantras and some traditions of practice. The Institute was founded by Swami Rama who is a yoga master and the tradition he represents is that of giving a personal mantra to a disciple at initiation. I belong to another tradition of Yoga where a pranayama technique called Kriya Yoga is given at intiation into guru-disciple relationship (through Self-Realization Fellowship) and personalized mantras are not given. There are many paths up the mountain... Roger Adams radams@cerritos.edu To those in whom love dwells, Cerritos College the whole world is one family. 11110 Alondra Blvd A Hindu Proverb Norwalk, California 90650 USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------