This book is a brilliantly crafted exposition on meditation and spiritual growth by Swami Bhaskarananda, who is the president of the Vedanta Society of Western Washington, Seattle, USA. The book clearly elucidates the need for mediation and that of a Guru, the eight steps that constitute Patanjali yoga, mantra japa, the obstacles to meditation, the hazards in meditation, Kundalini Yoga, the basic concepts of Samkhya, and Samadhi. The book also explains the fringe benefits of meditation in the form of stress-relief.   The book will serve as a handbook for beginners and advanced practitioners of meditation and also for everyone who aspire for higher life.