Originally published as January 2007 issue of the Prabuddha Bharata, this book aims to give its readers an overview of contemplative practices in different religions and traditions.

Contents:

Introduction
Swami Satyaswarupananda

The Contemplative Life
Swami Atmasthananda

Contemplation in an Active World
Swami Smaranananda

The Contemplative Tradition in the Ramakrishna Order
Swami Prabhananda

All-inclusive View of the Vedic Seers
Swami Tattwavidananda

Contemplation on Om, the Gāyatrī, and the Mahāvākyas
Swami Mukhyananda

Contemplation in the Upanishads
Swami Atmajnananda

Meditation and the Way of Yoga
Swami Adiswarananda

Preparations for the Contemplative Life
Swami Gokulananda

Japa: Instrument of Love for God’s Name
Swami Tathagatananda

Prayer in Contemplative Life
Swami Amarananda

Worship and Contemplation
Swami Sarvadevananda

Meditation and Reflection on the Divine Play: Lilā Chintana and Lilā Dhyāna
Swami Atmajnanananda

Obstacles in Contemplative life
Swami Brahmeshananda

Fruits of Contemplation: Some Reflections
Swami Bhaskarananda

The Vaishnava Contemplative Tradition
Swami Purnananda

The Śākta Contemplative Tradition
Swami Vimalatmananda

Contemplative Practices in Śaivism
Swami Tadananda

The Jain Contemplative Tradition
Acharya Mahaprajna

Contemplating the Theravāda Tradition
Ajahn Amaro

The Heart of Mahāyāna Buddhist Practice in the West
Rev. Heng Sure

Knowledge, Love, and Union: A Glimpse into the Christian Contemplative Tradition
Father Paul of Jesus

Contemplative Spirituality in Islam
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Some Thoughts on the Contemplative Life
Vimala Thakar

The Contemplative Mind
Prof. Somnath Bhattacharyya

The Neurophysiological and Psychoneural Aspects of Meditative Practices
Dr S Sulekha, Dr P N Ravindra, Dr T R Raju, and Dr Bindu Kutty

The Contemplative Life and Psychopathology
Dr Alan Roland

Prabuddha Bharata Compilation