The Must-Read Book Club
Rose Erin Vaughn: I found this book at the old East West books in West Village area, which is closed now. (I think they also carry it at Jivamukti Bookstore.) It's been my most used book over the years and is full of notes.
YCNYC: Favorite quote?
REV: “Anahata (the heart) is almost completely beyond the empirical dimensions. Here, one realizes that fate is of course real, but still one can go beyond its dictates. It is like throwing something into the sky. If you are able to hurl that object right out of the gravitational field, then it will no longer be pulled down by earth’s magnetic forces. Just as a rocket is launched at tremendous speeds in order to go beyond the gravitational pull of the earth, so the consciousness is accelerated in anahata (the heart) to the speed of free will in order to transcend the pull of latent samskaras.”
YCNYC: What one person would you recommend this book to?
REV: Anyone who has chosen the path of Yoga.
YCNC: What moment or part resonates with you the most?
REV: I like the psychological and philosophical parts….. there are many great metaphors that tie into other ancient traditions including Nordic (my heritage) and chinese medicine (my trade). I love how he emphasizes the importance of bringing energy from the crown (head) DOWN into the root the chakra at the pelvic floor. I think there is a lot of confusion in our modern yoga/religion world about “transcendence” and “enlightenment” which smells of patriarchy. This author has a nice way of remedying that. The book also has specific practices that help develop each energy center. But, I have my own practices from my living teachers.
You can purchase Kundalini Tantra here.
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