SWAMI CHETANANANDA

Selected Articles

Introduction

Swami Chetanananda is the founder and spiritual director of The Movement Center, based in Portland, Oregon. He studied under Swami Rudrananda (Rudi), who passed away in 1973. Upon Rudi’s death, Swami Chetanananda became the spiritual director of the various ashrams established by Rudi. He is now the abbot and spiritual director of The Movement Center, a non-profit based in Portland, Oregon. The Movement Center offers a variety of programs, including instruction in meditation and hatha yoga.

Kundalini Yoga Practice

Swami Chetanananda has studied and practiced kundalini yoga for over 30 years. After many years of practice, he encountered the teachings of Kashmir Shaivism and found that they articulated in a very elegant and thorough way what he had experienced in practice. He embraced the study of the teachings of Shaiva practitioners with enthusiasm, and The Movement Center has sponsored scholarly studies and translations of their works. Swami Chetanananda has explained these teachings and their enduring relevance in many of his talks and programs; they are also the subject of his books Dynamic Stillness Parts 1 and 2, published by Rudra Press, the publishing division of The Movement Center.

Study Of Other Spiritual Traditions

Swamiji has studied many of the texts of other spiritual traditions, including Vajrayana Buddhism, in order to broaden his understanding of spiritual development.The articles included in this site reflect his ability to synthesize the elements common to all spiritual traditions, as well as his originality in expressing his ideas about them. He is capable of presenting obscure concepts from difficult texts in ways that are accessible and practical for Western students.

Articles

Following is a selection of articles by Swami Chetanananda that span over two decades and demonstrate the development of his expression as well as the continuity of the major themes of his teaching. The articles are listed in chronological order (according to the date of their first appearance). Many of them first appeared in periodicals published by The Movement Center (formerly known as Nityananda Institute).

You’ll find more information about Swami Chetanananda here.

About The Maharthamanjari

“About the Maharthamanjari“ first appeared in the November 1980 issue of Rudra, published by Nityananda Institute.
Swami Chetanananda shares his thoughts about an 11th century Shaiva text by Mahesvarananda.

The Mind

“The Mind” first appeared in the March 1981 issue of Rudra.
“The Mind” outlines how, through spiritual practice, we come to understand the source of our mind and become free from suffering.

The Problem Of Complacency

“The Problem of Complacency” from the Winter 1982 issue of Rudra.
Change, not comfort, is the prerequisite for spiritual growth.

The Living Presence Of Grace

“The Living Presence of Grace” from Rudra, December 1986.
Through the mysterious interplay of grace and effort, we participate in the miracle of transformation.

The Keys to Mastery

“Five Keys to Mastery” from Rudra, November 1987.
Swamiji applies the principles of mastering an athletic endeavor to spiritual practice. (also available on audiotape from Nityananda Institute).

To Participate Fully in the Flow of Life Itself

“To Participate Fully in the Flow of Life Itself” from Rudra, July 1988.
In this piece, Swami Chetanananda shows how an understanding of the process of exchange unfolds into a profound appreciation of the underlying interconnectedness of all of life.

Stillness

“Stillness” from Parabola, The Magazine of Myth and Tradition, Vol. XVII no. 3 (Fall 1992).
This short article discusses the how ritual and mantra help us to achieve the experience of stillness.

The Symphony Of Life

“The Symphony of Life” from Music: Physician for Times to Come, edited by Don Campbell, copyright 1991, 1993, 1995.
This paper addresses the theory of sound and vibration from a Shaiva perspective.

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Self-Realization

“ from the Nityananda Institute News, Summer 1995.
What we are willing to give determines the depth within ourselves from which we will be able to live.

The Power Of Spirit

“The Power of Spirit” from Personal Transformation, Spring 1998.
This is an account of Swami Chetanananda’s quest for transformation in his life.

The Myth Of Personal Control

“The Myth of Personal Control” from the Institute News, published by Nityananda Institute, Winter 1999.
Here Swamiji talks about chaos—or total uncertainty—as the core of our existence.

Tantra

“Tantra” from the Spring 2003 issue of Yoga Northwest.
This article discusses the relationship between hatha yoga and tantric practice, dispels common misconceptions about tantra, and reviews the history, philosophy and practice of tantra.

Swami Chetanananda’s web page includes talks, questions and answers, interviews, a collection of related links, and more photos: www.chetanananda.org.

Books by Swami Chetanananda are available from Rudra Press: www.rudrapress.com.

Site updated October 24, 2012.