Hacking the Universe: The Process of Yogic Meditation

The book started with an observation I totally agree with "When you boil us down to our essential nature, we are all simply bundles of awareness". And "We soul search. This is the true journey. The final frontier lies, not in the stars, but within."The author continues with, "Studying the states of consciousness, the ancient sages of India reasoned that if it was possible to glimpse the superconscious mind through the cracks of the wall of the conscious and subconscious, then there must be a way to slip into it, and that is exactly what they went about doing. They designated processes of yogic meditation to enable practitioners to hack into the superconscious state at will. The yogi seeks to know himself beyond the confines of his limited body consciousness.""The interior journey is a solo one. The path we travel in the myriad choices we make can never be traced, in whole, by another. Nevertheless, there are road signs along the way, and paths laid out by the traveling souls. We'd be foolish to undertake such an epic journey - our own private final frontier - without looking to those who have gone before us - without looking at a map."This books is about explores that map according to Patanjali Yoga Sutras "External discipline (yama), internal discipline (niyama), posture (asana), life force control (pranayama), withdrawal of the senses (pratyahara), concentration (charana), meditation (dhyana) and union (samadhi).The author presents a structure that helps to easy you into a meditative state, at which point you're on your own, which may make you ask yourself "Now what?" He mentions Vigyan Bhairava Tantra at the beginning of this book, but doesn't go into it, though that would be a logical next step to explore.He does share some of his experiences and several useful tips and practices that can help you to enter into a meditative state. While to me it felt as if the book abruptly ended and was somehow unfinished, I looked back at the subtitle and the book is appropriately named "The PROCES of Yogic Meditation" - and that's exactly what you'll find here. As for "Hacking the Universe" bit, that may leave you wanting for more.

I have just finished reading this wonderful book about Meditation, "Hacking the Universe...".I have been practicing yogic meditation for about twenty years off and on including an initial period of following a false guru. That was clarified dramatically about 10 years ago when I had a dramatic awakening to my true Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda! Subsequently, becoming a student of His through the Self Realization Fellowship Lessons and reading many of Master Yogananda's voluminous works starting with the Autobiography of a Yogi a perennial best seller. I still read several pages a day of the Autobiography which is the only book written by a Master for his own disciples. I will celebrate my 10th anniversary as a Kriyabon in Feb 2013. Master's teachings have changed my life for the better bringing me much peace, calmness, quietude and happiness but not yet the ultimate goal of the deep meditations described in those teachings. I have reached on occasion absolute stillness and profound peace, but rarely. I have found the joy of service in some very simple ways and helping others that enriches both our lives sometimes consciously and sometimes it becomes apparent later. I can feel Master when practicing service and his presence.Mr. Knutson's book has cleared up many questions for me and giving me a deeper clarity as to what I have to do now to improve my practice. His concise and simple approach has brought me further along my path in a short time and given me a roadmap out of some of the road blocks real or imagined that I have created or encountered along the journey thus providing me several escape routes. His simplified approach is clear concise and easy to understand. For me it was like turning on a 100 watt bulb after being used to a 40 watt bulb. I think I have to read this book several more times before I plot my plan of action. Just implementing some of the simple things like the in-between sleep states and breathing techniques and feedback he describes will really help me! There are many things I look to incorporate to enliven my meditations and hopefully have a deeper communion with God. Hacking the Universe: The Process of Yogic Meditation

I bought this book because of this authors continued work through his YouTube channel, which was my first contact with his teaching. What is usually contained in many thousands of pages through thousands of years of writings is distilled clearly and distinctly on his YouTube channel. I believe this book is an excellent source of information for anyone on the yogic path to freedom. I have used some of his methods with great success. Buy this book and watch all of his YouTube videos, simply incredible! I haven't checked his website yet but, I am sure there will be many jewels to discover there as well. Most of all thank you, Mr. Knutson and may the world find your modern day scientifically rendered expose' of this ancient science called yoga.

When I first picked this book up I was a little disappointed by the length of the book and assumed that it wouldn't have much in it. As I started reading I was fascinated by how well the author described a the path of Yoga, and provided a systematic method to practice it. I then discovered that I stumbled upon a hidden gym, a down to earth simplistic yet profound modern day Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.It starts by laying out the eight limbs of Yoga then moves on to describe effectively each of them, the book then transitions into a description of the process of practice. The author describes his how he trained as a monk, gives insights to remove road blocks that we all come across in practice. One of the main advantages of the book is that it discusses the topic of Pratyahara and its importance in practice; very few authors do so. This was the signature of a true master.There is no fluff and it is entertaining yet straight to the point which paradoxically makes this short book a great reference.

Really really helpful, no fuss and easily put into effective practice.

I have been regularly watching Forest Knutson’s YouTube video, they are amazing. So was very keen to read his book . I believe Hacking the Universe although written many years ago is still very relevant as it provides a roadmap for an aspiring yogi . It gives a a nice interesting personal account of Forest’s own spiritual experience . It has reinforced my belief that it is possible to get these spiritual experiences and goals in this life time itself , some are still elusive 😀. So until then as Forest says we enjoy the fruits of our labour and keep at it .

Il migliore e il più chiaro libro sulla tecnica di meditazione: passo passo e nel dettaglio.Ho acquistato questo libro in quanto non riuscivo a spiegarmi alcune esperienze avute durante la meditazione e cercavo delle risposte.Ebbene me le ha date.Oltre al metodo tecnico per approfondire ulteriormente.Una lettura assolutamente chiara e gradevole. Terminato in tre giorni lo sto rileggendo per prendere alcuni appunti.

I love Forrest Knutson’s YouTube channel and was excited to support his work by purchasing this book. I only wish it was longer but I’m probably going to reread it very soon.

Anyone practicing Kriya Yoga or deep meditation will find this book very helpful. Here there're are some wonderful tricks to reach the spiritual goal.Thanks again, Forrestji!