Swami Narayanananda
Swami Narayanananda was born 12 April, 1902, in a village in Coorg, Karnataka state, India. From an early age he practised regular meditation. After finishing his studies, he renounced the world in 1929 and joined the Ramakrishna Mission. After a few years he left for the Himalayas and practised intense meditation. In 1933 he attained the supreme state called nirvikalpa samadhi (superconscious state or nirvana). After that he remained in seclusion for many years, but after the partition of India in 1947, and seeing the atrocities there, his "heart melted, as it were", and he began to write books on spirituality.
These books were published slowly, and spread also to the Western countries. He began to take disciples. In Denmark in particular, he got many disciples. In 1971 he went for the first time to Denmark, and continued to visit this country every year for 5-7 months until 1987. An ashrama (monastery) was established in Gylling, Denmark (Jutland, near Aarhus). Ashramas were also established in India, Sweden, Germany, Norway and the USA.
The books were printed and published first in Rishikesh, India, and later printed and published at Narayana Press, Gylling, Denmark.
Swami Narayanananda passed away in Mysore, India, 26 February, 1988, at the age of 85.
Teachings
Swami Narayanananda called his teachings "The Universal Religion", implying that they are dealing with Truth, irrespective of caste, religion, sex, nationality, race, etc. He gives guidance to spiritual seekers. He emphasizes the moral code of conduct as a basis for spiritual development, and puts particular stress on sexual sublimation implying brahmacharya - celibacy or (for married couples) moderation in sexual life, as a means to maintain and improve physical, mental and spiritual health. His works include among others the following subjects: philosophy, psychology, religion, spirituality, meditation, kundalini shakti (the primal power in man).
Quotation
The Ultimate Truth is called God.
This one can realize in the state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
A circle can have only one centre but it can have numerous radii.
The centre can be compared to God and the radii to religions.
So, no one sect, no one religion or book
can make an absolute claim of it.
He who works for it gets it.
("Selected Articles 1933-86", 2002, p. 301)
Bibliography
- The Secrets of Mind-Control
- The Way to Peace, Power and Long Life
- The Primal Power in Man or The Kundalini Shakti
- The Ideal Life and Moksha (Freedom)
- Revelation
- The Mysteries of Man, Mind and Mind-Functions
- The Gist of Religions
- A Practical Guide to Samadhi
- Mind, Its Source and Culture
- The Secrets of Prana, Pranayama and Yoga-Asanas
- Brahmacharya, Its Necessity and Practice for Boys and Girls
- The End of Philosophy
- The Basis of Universal Religion
- Caste, Its Origin, Growth and Decay
- God and Man
- Sex-Sublimation
- A Word to Sadhaka (spiritual aspirant)
- Wisdom
- Your Birth-Right
- The Aim of Life
- The Universal Religion
- Your Hidden Treasures
- Brahman and the Universe
- Birthday Messages 1955-79
- Questions and Answers
- The Essence of Life
- Religion and Philosophy
- Life Behind Death
- Within you
- India and the Rishis
- Brain, Mind and Consciousness
- Consciousness under Different States
- Reality Behind Life
- God or the Ocean of Consciousness by Itself or in Itself
- God, Kundalini Shakti and Mind
- Truth Eternal
The above refers to the first edition of The Complete Works of Swami Narayanananda (1979-1984). The first 12 volumes are the "major works" whereas volume 13-36 are the "minor works" (small books).
A second edition of the Complete Works was published in 2001-2002 in 18 volumes, where the following works are added:
- [Birthday Messages,] Poems and Consolations (vol. 16)
- Selected Articles 1933-1986 (vol. 17)
- Autobiography of Swami Narayanananda (vol. 18) (here in one volume - also published as two volumes, illustrated)
The above works are published by N. U. Yoga Trust Denmark, Gylling, 8300 Odder, Denmark.