The Heartfulness Way: Relaxation, Meditation, and Connection on the Path to Spiritual Transformation

(Paperback)

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Heartfulness is an ideal, a spiritual way of living by and from the heart that is inclusive of all ideologies, beliefs, and religions. In this heart-centered book, a student in conversation with his teacher, Kamlesh D. Patelaffectionately known as Daaji, the fourth and current spiritual guide of the decades-old Heartfulness traditionpresent a unique method of meditation with the power to facilitate an immediate, tangible spiritual experience, irrespective of your faith. Our modern, fast-paced world can be an overwhelming place. Every day, we're bombarded with messages telling us that in order to be happy, fulfilled, and worthy, we must be better, do more, and accumulate as much material wealth as possible. Most of us move through our busy lives with our minds full of these ideas, multitasking as we strive to navigate the responsibilities and expectations we must meet just to make it through the day. But what if there were another way What if, rather than letting the busyness of life overtake our minds, we learned to be heartful instead Based on Daaji's own combination of approaches and practices for the modern spiritual seekerwhich draws from the teachings of the Sahaj Marg, meaning The Natural Path, and incorporates elements of SufismHeartfulness is a contemporized version of the ancient Indian practice of Raja Yoga, a tradition that enables the practitioner to realize the divine self within. While many books describe refined states of consciousness and connection to a higher self, often called enlightenment or nirvana, The Heartfulness Way goes further, providing a pragmatic course to experience them, which, per the book's guiding principle, is better than knowledge. Heartfulness meditation consists of four elementsrelaxation, meditation, rejuvenation, and connectionand illuminates the ancient, defining feature of yogic transmission (or pranahuti), the utilization of divine energy for spiritual growth and transformation. Using the method, detailed practices, tips, and practical philosophy offered in this book, you'll reach new levels of attainment and learn to live a life more deeply connected to the values of the Heartfulness waywith acceptance, humility, compassion, empathy, and love.

Reviews

"Since 2000 when, as Beavercreek mayor, I officiated the grand opening of the Dayton Heartfulness/Natural Path Meditation Center, I have been a major supporter of this valuable community resource that provides free training in Heartfulness relaxation and meditation not just locally, but also globally! The local Heartfuness Center now services hundreds, including many of our community's first responders. It is my hope that many more people can take advantage of this wonderful resource and learn these simple yet powerful techniques through The Heartfulness Way."
--Rick Perales, Ohio State Representative--Rick Perales
"The Heartfulness Way beautifully highlights the timeless philosophy of India's yogic tradition, while clearly articulating a simple and direct path for the modern seeker."
--Shripad Naik, Minister of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), India--Shripad Naik
"The Heartfulness Way explains meditation's higher purpose with clarity and humility."
--Philip Goldberg, author of American Veda--Philip Goldberg
"The Heartfulness Way represents a revolution in the field of spirituality. Spiritualism is a process of self-realization. Every individual being unique, they experience this in different ways. But all seekers can be benefited by The Heartfulness Way, including experienced meditators. A practical and inspirational guidebook, its clarion call is that personal experience is greater than any spiritual knowledge or belief can ever be. But this book goes much further than that! It provides a well-honed method for spiritual awakening. Moreover, it shows us how to receive yogic transmission, or pranahuti, which easily enables any seeker to experience states of being that were once thought to be reserved for great yogis and renunciates. Read it, try its practices, experience yogic transmission, and see for yourself!"
--Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India--Suresh Prabhu
"The Heartfulness Way is a truly extraordinary book, and a valuable guide to the serious spiritual seeker on the path to self-revelation. It is addressed to the heart, and if for that reason alone, cannot fail to profoundly move the reader. If approached in the right spirit, The Heartfulness Way can trigger a far-reaching, inner transformation. It is warmly recommended."
--Ramnath Narayanswamy, IIM Bangalore--Ramnath Narayanswamy
"The Heartfulness Way is an invaluable addition to the vast body of literature on meditation. Its message is optimistic, pointing to the innate goodness that lies in each of our hearts, and showing us how to grow into our most authentic and best selves. As a mindfulness practitioner, I have long felt that the root of mindfulness is 'Heartfulness, ' so I am pleased to witness this concept taking hold, and I look forward to the day that everyone aspires toward 'heartful' living."
--Tim Ryan, US representative of Ohio, and author of A Mindful Nation--Tim Ryan
"The Heartfulness Way offers an eminently clear and practical path to the Divinity that lies within each of us. Highly recommended."
--Robert Schwartz, author of Your Soul's Plan and Your Soul's Gift--Robert Schwartz
"A truly praiseworthy effort in the direction of clarifying many of the misconceptions about meditation. The one idea or discipline which is engaging the attention of the East and the West today is meditation. Through this book, Kamlesh D. Patel, more popularly known as Daaji, has rendered a great service to the fraternity of spiritual seekers. He has clarified beautifully the ideas such as sadhana (or spiritual discipline), anubhuti (or experience), etc. But he is emphatic that meditation should result in fundamental transformation and lead one to an evolved way of life. I am sure this book would attract many to attempt the discipline of meditation for a true and lasting betterment of their lives."
--Swami Shantatmananda, secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi, India--Swami Shantatmananda
"All of us long to belong and try to connect to the Creator and this universe in various ways. This book helps us to connect holistically, meaningfully, and more importantly, 'simply, ' through Heartfulness meditation. Giving ourselves the space to look within for just a few minutes in a day can keep us going, growing, and glowing throughout the day. The Heartfulness Way makes the journey as enjoyable as the destination."
--Latha Rajan, cofounder of the Chennai Literary Association, and managing director of the Ma Foi Foundation--Latha Rajan
"If you have picked up The Heartfulness Way, then you are one of the many of people looking for answers. Congratulations. You have found the key. This book will take you on a journey of self-comprehension, leading to the eventual discovery of your true potential.

Meditation is an age-old practice, and a successful one. This is perhaps the only way a person can face their own self and set themselves free. Put together from a series of conversations between teacher and student, the authors of this book have created something so powerful and profound that it makes me wonder how many lives it will potentially change.

I find immense pride in my association with Kamlesh D. Patel, and this book fills me with utmost respect for its two authors, who have embarked on the holy path of spiritual transformation. It is rare in today's age to see people share their insight and teach from their experiences.

Om Namah Shivay."
--C.B. Patel, owner, Gujarat Samachar; Asian Voice--C.B. Patel

"In my many decades as a management consultant to governments and Fortune 500 companies alike, I have realized that the external success of any organization depends on its internal health and integration. Similarly, the external success of any individual depends on their own level of personal integration and wellness. When you're too caught up in your own problems, you can't achieve anything great! But how to achieve that crucial level of personal integration and wellness I have personally found Heartfulness meditation to be a critical tool in this regard. Through it, the heart assumes an executive function, and all of our faculties become aligned with it. When all of our energies are aligned in their purpose and work in a single channel, we become focused and empowered. As a result, we become effective. And because we are guided by the heart, we also express a deep and natural morality in all that we do. The Heartfulness Way masterfully demonstrates how to achieve personal integration, and should be indispensable to anyone who is serious about self-development."
--Ichak Adizes, PhD, MBA, founder and president of the Adizes Institute--Ichak Adizes, PhD, MBA
"In this simple and elegant book, Daaji reveals the ancient secrets of Heartfulness meditation for a well-integrated life. A must-read for anyone interested in incorporating meditation into their lifestyle."
--Sanjay Gupta, MD, neurosurgeon, Emmy(R) Award-winning chief medical correspondent for CNN, and bestselling author of Monday Mornings--Sanjay Gupta, MD
"Over twenty years ago, when I was introduced to the Heartfulness meditation practice, I could not have anticipated how much it would come to mean to me with each passing day. Nor could I have anticipated the harmony and purpose that I would find in my life as a result. Whether you are ardent practioner of meditation, just curious, or perhaps even skeptical, The Heartfulness Way is a must-read. Answers leap magically from its pages, making it simple to understand meditation and its purpose. To read this book is to be immersed in a symphony of revelations."
--Vani Kola, managing director, Kalaari Capital--Vani Kola
"The terms 'yoga' and 'spirituality' have a lot of mystery attached to them. In The Heartfulness Way, renowned yoga guru Kamlesh D. Patel, more popularly known as Daaji, demystifies the whole concept in layman's terms. Daaji's words are simple, lucid, and go straight to the point. Joshua Pollock, a Heartfulness practitioner and trainer, joins hands with Daaji in writing this groundbreaking book. Their dialogues recall those of Arjuna and Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, in which the guru satisfies the disciple's spiritual hunger and quest for knowledge. I am sure that The Heartfulness Way signifies a new horizon in the field of yoga and spirituality."
--Tejinder Sharma, MBE, General Secretary, Katha UK--Tejinder Sharma, MBE
"This book, The Heartfulness Way, is truly transformational and is going to make a big difference in the lives of so many people across the globe."
--Pankaj Gupta, PhD, executive director, Centre for Ethics, Spirituality and Sustainability at O.P. Jindal Global University, Delhi NCR--Pankaj Gupta, PhD
"With The Heartfulness Way, Daaji has demystified spirituality."
--Lt. Gen. S.R.R. Aiyengar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Ret.)--Lt. Gen. S.R.R. Aiyengar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Ret.)

Author Bio

Kamlesh Patel (Author)
Kamlesh D. Patel, also known as Daaji, is the fourth and current spiritual guide of the Heartfulness movement, which teaches a version of Raja Yoga that has been modified to suit the modern era. This lineage of spiritual guides extends back to the turn of the twentieth century. Its first guide, Ram Chandra of Fatehgarh, is widely considered to be the first non-Muslim saint in a lineage of Sufi masters that can be traced back to the sixth century. Born in Gujarat, India, Daaji showed an early interest in meditation and spiritual growth. In 1976, as a pharmacy student in Ahmedabad, he met his guide, Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, the second spiritual guide in the Heartfulness tradition and founder and first president of Shri Ram Chandra Mission. After graduating with honors in 1980, Daaji moved to the United States and practiced pharmacy in New York City, while continuing the practice of Heartfulness. After Ram Chandra's passing, Daaji became a devoted disciple of his successor, Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari. In October 2011, Daaji was proclaimed Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari's successor. Following his guide's passing on the December 20, 2014, Daaji became the global guide for Heartfulness practitioners.

Joshua Pollock (Author)
Joshua Pollock is a student of Kamlesh D. Patel. After experimenting with various meditative practices, Pollock started practicing Heartfulness in the United States in 2002, and has taught it since 2007. He regularly teaches Heartfulness at universities, corporations, government institutions, and at public seminars. An accomplished violinist, Pollock has performed and taught all over the world. He holds a bachelor's degree in musical arts from Indiana University and two master's degrees from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.