A Manual Of Self Unfoldment

by Chinmayananda

In an age where scientific minded youngsters are turning away from religion, there is a great need for a clear, systematic and logical explanation of the ancient spiritual teachings of Hinduism. That is exactly what Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda has given us in Self Unfoldment - a step-by-step analysis of the thought development of Vedanta. In precise, simple and profound language, Gurudev takes us from the fundamental principles of life to the very highest philosophical truths in this spiritual masterpiece. Self Unfoldment has inspired thousands of young people over the years, bringing out the noblest and best in them.

Genres: Spirituality, Self Help, Philosophy

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1993

About the author

Chinmayananda Saraswati, also known as Swami Chinmayananda and born Balakrishnan Menon, was an Indian spiritual leader and teacher who inspired the formation of Chinmaya Mission in 1953 to spread the message of Vedanta. The organization, which was founded by his disciples and led by him, has over 300 centres in India and internationally.
He was a disciple of Sivananda Saraswati at Rishikesh, who founded the Divine Life Society. He was later advised by Sivananda to study under Tapovan Maharaj in Uttarkashi in the Himalayas.

Reviews

[Kaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

My compass in life, read and re-read. I am not hindu but the teachings from the vedas are Universal and useful to anyone from any walk of life. Be open minded and read this - it will change your perspective for the better.

[Rucha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple, brief and profound explanation of Vedanta. Absolutely practical philosophies and practices. This book is written in precise language that you immediately envision while reading. Such beautifully constructed statements and sentences that evoke the exact vision for one to start and keep on the inner path.

[Vikram Venkatesan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sheer difficulty of mastering these concepts and unfold the Self is probably what knocks the fifth star off this book haha. Much of the book is established on the premise that you can only control your own actions, a notion I couldn't disagree with. However, it's very difficult for me to believe that I have to change for some people even when I know in my heart I'm write. I find certain kinds of people in my own life that are blatantly wrong but are so ignorant to see their own mistakes and merely vindicate themselves from the blame. I realize that is what might make one toxic and I know I can never change someone to my beliefs. It's just bringing awareness to perspectives other than one's own is my innate goal. Of course, I could be greatly misinterpreting his points. From what I read, he seems like a profound man with a wisdom many would be blessed to have.

With many things in life, there is a moderation to follow with these principles. He himself says that blindly following these principles without truly understanding/believing in them essentially makes you a follower. Not giving in to emotions however negative, not clinging on to the past, and all these other values are so difficult to follow. It's all easier said than done no doubt. I think he wrote this book with the idea that most of us live in modern worlds where so many problems are present and we have to do so much more than someone who might be living away from civilization, being at more peace.

I never disagree with many of his points, it's just the extent to which they be brought about that we must often consider. I was made aware of this book this past year though the Chinmaya Yuvakendra group at Michigan State. Written with adherence to principles of Vedanta from Hinduism and other religions, this book is a well-written read not just for a religion or philosophy major but for a person who seeks more truth, solace, happiness, and peace.

[Rushmee Thapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just came in touch with this book when the days were going down. The way the subject is delivered is fantastic. This book made me to think thoughtfully many times and made to say 'what the hell, this is amazing', ' where was I, Why I didn't think this before' etc. But that is the purpose of book, to make you unfold and aware of the things which you didn't give attention or you didn't know.

This book is fantastically amazing till 100 pages and I don't know I felt little sluggish at the end but has contain the very important facets of life.

4.5 out 0 5 and may be I will be interested after 100 pages after some years.

[Dharmabum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not the first time I read the book, and was going back to the the perhaps a decade. As Swamiji calls it, it's quite literally a manual. And a simple one at that for the beginner in his / her Vedantic quest. For anyone interested in being introduced to the Vedantic ideal and way of life, I would recommend this book as a great place to start.

[Purvaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Self-unfoldment is an absolute must read. As a teenager this book has transformed me as a person. Swami Chinmayanada explains the important of self and compassion in an extremely understandable and applicable way. If even one thing from the book resonates with you, it will change your life for the better

[Kri · Rating 5 out of 5]

My very first book in the Guruji's book series. Very simple and strong examples and the importance of one to know their self is very well written. Hari Om, so blessed to have got an opportunity to study it!

[Bhomit Bhandari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a small brief and introduction to Hinduism and vedic approach to life. The book talks about basic meditation technique and overview and history of Hinduism and its beliefs and how they came to be more as way of living then a religion.

[Uday Desai · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the great books. To be read multiple times. A self-help and motivational book, for modern (wo)man.

[Nalini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book helpful in understanding some of the basic concepts within Vedanta and in deepening some of my own practice, but overall he takes a very hierarchical approach and as a result you have to sift through much of the content which is contradictory, classist, casteist, and sexist. For example, his discussion of the gunas is very simplistic and characterizes those who are tamasic as lazy and characteristic of the laboring class, whereas those who are Brahmin/educated are sattvic and closer to god. He often also describes humans as “conquering” nature and of being uniquely divine. It is possible that this was in the original Vedantas, but I found this very troubling because it perpetuates a lot of these negative thoughts that already exist within our society. Further, by describing god with masculine pronouns (particularly if/where it was gender neutral in Sanskrit) he perpetuates Western and Eastern sexist ideas that god is a man (and thus men are more godly). These hierarchies and pseudosciences all affect the self esteem of the oppressed and how we as a society also esteem them.

I also have some concerns about fully existing outside of the material world because someone has to provide food for those living outside of it (these people also tend to be women and/or of the lower classes). It is ridiculous to fully dismiss the material world for the divine and not recognize its holiness as well, which is cited in other scriptures/practices (e.g., worship of Parvathi and Lakshmi, Devi Mahatmyam). I am not sure what is in the original Vedantas, but I think broadly a more unified idea of God/the universe (e.g., what is in the Devi Mahatmyam - Brahman/maya/god/demon are all the same thing) is a more coherent belief system that does not cause harm, values all equally, and does not require as much disconnection from reality as this one.

Even if these were in the original Vedantas, it is important to keep a critical eye in the present moment, particularly if described in the vernacular of the present people, and I worry that his approach will misguide some people and cause harm. I understand that it was the 80s/90s but even if “disorder” is increasing it is important to have compassion and understand the full root cause (which is what Buddhism, which he calls out of nowhere a form of “atheism” in the appendix, encourages). If ahimsa is one of your core values you must be aware of this - using this rhetoric is a form of violence and oppression

[jensen l · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is in my top three books of all time.

Swami Chinmayanda writes the guide to a mindful and peaceful life in only 20 chapters. Truly, every chapter is life changing.

This is not one of those books that I can perfectly recite or give a proper thesis; it’s not that because it is deeper. The words and lessons taught in Self Unfoldment permeate through your protective egoic layer and sink into your dna. This is a lifestyle changing book.

Self Unfoldment talks about freeing yourself from the restrictions of one’s one mind, the difference between the path of the pleasant vs path of the good, vasanas and how to transcend them, among many other themes to live a free and peaceful life. I love how Hindu philosophy and practices are embedded in the book but also how universal everything is. You don’t need to know the Gita or the Gods to truly comprehend Self Unfoldment (although Swami Chinmayanda writes an amazing shortened version of the Gita, called Gita for Children!)

Overall, i recommend this book to everyone I come in contact with (and usually buy it for them).

[Sangeetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to go to balavihar classes at our local Chinmaya Mission group back in high school. I remember it being the first time I started thinking more deeply about spirituality beyond just celebrating holidays or performing rituals. It was nice to turn to Swami Chinmayananda's book during an emotional time in my life. I liked that this was more of a practical primer on Vedanta. There's a few different ideas that are sticking with me. One is about how two people can look at the same object and perceive it differently, and it really comes down to their mental state. An agitated or fearful person could see a snake instead a thin piece of rope, and a calm person will be able to see reality for what it is. I feel like this shows up a lot in my life, particularly because I react to a lot of uncomfortable situations with fear. I'm excited to move beyond living in fear to living with acceptance.

[Sunil Rajasekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could recommend one book on spirituality and “self help”, this would be it. I took a month to read it because each page warrants reflection and introspection. This book captures the universal truth and you can trace all the books on self help and spirituality back to the principles outlined here. If you have an allergic reaction to the mention of religion in the book, just replace it with spirituality.

[Anoop Nayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on how mind and body work together. This book is true to its name. Swami Chinmayanandaji, a great scholar, explains in detail the working of the body, mind and wisdom with modern day examples and analogies. The book ends with practical solutions to gain control over individual lives. I liked this book.

[Vinit Nayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a slow process, and not every chapter makes sense at all times, but a pretty good high level overview into their philosophy.
Favorite chapters were about time and explaining the difference between self effort/free will and destiny.

Everything you meet with in life isn't up to you, how you choose to meet it is.
Maybe it's more nuanced, but worth thinking about regardless.

[Dr. Radhika]

How to review the book when I am yet to read the e-book? Please let me know the details as to how to get the e-book on my iPad screen, so that I can read and then send the review.
Regards,
Radhika Ramachandran.

[Rajeev Thakur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and understand the fundamental concepts that govern our life and actions.

This goes well with the Gita 365 app which shows the video clips of Swami Chinmayananda explaining the Bhagavat Gita.

[Meera Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A manual for life that can be read over and over again - you will always take something new each time.

[Parth Bhatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for spiritual seekers.

[Yojana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guru ji was the one who paved the way for my spiritual journey. His book gives shape to my life and increase my spiritual thirst.

[Eshan P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book and a lot to process. Read with my family as a group, a little every week, and it took a long time.

[Priya]

Inspiring.

[Stephani]

So far, amazing!

[Vismay Agrawal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for starters on the spiritual path.
Would be basics stuff for inthttps://www.goodreads.com/review/list... practitioners.

[Kri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the right book to start with for a spiritual seeker.
All the Vedanta students initial queries are clarified and the prarabdha and purushartha is explained with a very beautiful example.
The last 2 chapters are a must read and should also get clarified with a guru's guidance. Thankfully I have got a guru to not only clarify me but to set goals as per the as well.