The teachings on this site draw from a tradition thousands of years old. These classic sources and modern references are good companions for anyone who wishes to go deeper.

Classic Texts

• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — the authoritative text on Yoga, compiled around two thousand years ago. Its eight limbs culminate in dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption). Many good translations with commentary are available.
• The Bhagavad Geeta — especially Chapters II and VI, which describe the steady mind of the meditator and practical guidance on posture, moderation and regularity of practice.
• The Upanishads — the source of the teaching that the real self is the observer, distinct from body and mind.

On Yogic Breathing

• Texts of Hatha Yoga such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika describe pranayama in detail. Remember that advanced breathing practices should only be learned under the guidance of a qualified teacher.

Modern Research

The health benefits of meditation described on this site — reduced blood pressure, stress relief, better mood and improved immunity — have been studied extensively in recent decades. Searching for “meditation” on PubMed will surface thousands of peer-reviewed studies, including research on mindfulness-based stress reduction and the effects of meditation on hypertension and anxiety.

A Word of Encouragement

Books and studies are helpful, but meditation is learned by practicing it. Fifteen minutes a day, practiced patiently and regularly, will teach you more than any text. Begin with the preparatory steps, follow the simple method outlined on this site, and be patient in expecting results.