This book surveys the major types and categories of Hindu contemplative praxis. It explores diverse spiritual and religious practices within the Hindu traditions and Indic hermeneutical perspectives to understand the intricate culture of meditative communion and contemplation, devotion, spiritual formation, prayer, ritual, and worship.

1. Contemplative Studies and the Principles and Practices of Hindu Contemplative Life: An Introduction Rita D. Sherma Part I. Contemplative Practice: Cross-Cultural and Interreligious Considerations 2. On Creating a Contemplative Studies Program in the Southwest Andrew O. Fort 3. Contemplative Experience: An Interdharma Comparative Reflection Rita D. Sherma Part II. Contemplation and Yoga Praxis 4. Why Meditate on God? The Role of Isvara-präidhana in the Classical Säkhya and Yoga Tradition Marzenna Jakubczak 5. Emotional and Devotional Union: A Bhagavata Theology of Oneness Gopal K. Gupta 6. Sri Chinmoy on the Nature and Goals of Contemplative Practice Kusumita P. Pedersen Part III. Sadhana: Knowledge, Wonder, and Love 7. The Role of Sadhana in Advaita Vedanta Varun Khanna 8. The Instability of Non-Dual Knowing: Post-Gnosis Sadhana in Vidyaräya's Advaita Vedanta James Madaio 9. Srividya: A Sakta Model of Esoteric Sadhana of the Sricakra Madhu Khanna 10. The Body and Wonder in Tantra Loriliai Biernacki 11. Semiotics and Illocution in Gau¿iya Sadhana Cogen Bohanec Part IV. Prayer, Worship, and Ritual 12. Prayer and Worship in the Ascetics of the Ramananda Sampraday Ramdas Lamb 13. Mantric Effect, Effervescent Devata-s, Noetic Supplications, and Apurva in the Mimäsa Purushottama Bilimoria 14. Prayer and Worship through Music and Liturgy in North Indian Vai¿¿ava Traditions Guy L. Beck