Book Description
This book provided readers with a fresh and accessible translation of this ancient text.
Customer Reviews:
A living yogi.......2007-07-09
A true gift to mankind is found in this author -- I've been watching his serene face in weird, twisted poses, and have been following his instructions for breathing (pranayama) for a long breathless moment, and he still amazes me.
This book is one of dozens that reflect on the writing of patanjali, a bce period holy man that wrote three books about what he felt were important issues for society as a whole, and individuals one-at-a-time. The books were about Yoga, Ayurvedic medicine, and the Sanskrit language. Each book was written like poetry, with each stanza talking about consciousness and the role that yoga (path, in Sanskrit) plays in that journey. A must have for anyone who considers yoga important to their existence and to mankind in general.
Shed your own Light...........2007-05-10
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are a simple, clear series of aphorisms designed to help a person realize that the human mind is controllable.
I read a portion of them daily. This famous yoga author proves that too many words can muddy even the clearest water.
As Patanjali himself said, "There is knowledge of everything through intuition".
I feel there are too many books written on "how to" understand spiritual
teachings, and that this is another one.
There are many translations of the Sutras available. Buy one, and if, after reading it, you need someone elses opinion, buy this book.
One of the Best translations of the Vedic Scriptures!!!!.......2006-10-25
This Translation of the Yoga sutras...is Superb!!! The only translation of this or any other vedic scripture that is on the same level is Swami Satchitandas yoga sutras, both are the jewels of all modern translations of the Vedas! I have been studying and practising the vedic religion since 1996 and both B.K.S Iyengar and Swami Satchitanandas translations are the most comprehensive, in-depth, intuitive, scholarly and truly Spiritual and Vedic. I believe that the reason that both men have written such Great translations...is because they are generational Caste Brahmanas....period. That is why they have such an in-depth understanding of the Vedic sriptures and principles. Iyengars translation...to me, is Mind blowing!!! I could only read one or two pages at a time, just to really ingest and digest the information on an intuitive and intellectual levels. With this translation and Swami Satchitanandas translations....ALL OTHER TRANSLATIONS OF THE VEDAS PALE IN COMPARISION!...and are the scribblings of philosopical neophytes....period.
even if you have never been to a yoga class ..........2005-12-30
... this book will still be of great interest and value to you if you are spiritually inclined.
the top reviewers assertion that the yoga sutras represents the theory behind the practice of hatha yoga is not really correct.
hatha yoga (which is what 'yoga' normally stands for in the west) is actually only a minor part of the yoga sutras - i think it occurs in no more than a single verse in the text! one can infact say that to be a yogi as per patanjali one needn't even practice hatha yoga!
historically the most ancient philosophical school in india was the saamkya as taught by the sage kapila (even for the historical buddha circa 500 bc, kaplia was 'ancient'). patanjala yoga is traditionally considered the sister system of the saamkya. while saamkya taught metaphysics and the theory of enlightenment - about the eternal purusha (one's true self/soul), the transient praakriti (primal matter which includes the body and mind as well as the objects we experience), how the purusha is seduced by the 'dance' of praakriti and thus bound to a limited existence and how the seperation of the two effects enlightenment - yoga provided a practical path as to how such enlightenment can be effected. thus one of the traditional meanings of the sanskrit words 'saamkya' and 'yoga' itself is 'theory' and 'practice'.
the heart of the yoga sutra lies in the verse 'chitta vritti nirodah' - the cessation of mental modifications. ie when the mind is controlled and brought to stillness, you will know the true nature of your own self - enlightenment.
hatha yoga can be used as an aid to achieve this goal - that is what it was created for - but that doesn't make it indispensable. there're even more serious philosophical/spiritual/ethical/discipinary issues involved which is what this text mostly covers apart from the philosophy.
so this book is more for those who're looking for greater spiritual/philosophical depth behind/beyond the science of hatha yoga. or for anybody who is looking for greater depth and meaning and spirituality in life even if they have never been to a yoga class. this is a seriously deep spiritual text.
btw saamkya had no place for 'God' in its philosophy. even for patanjali, yoga does not mean union with god (as per the popular interpretation) - rather the seperation of purusha from praakriti, where god *can* help.
excellent, but only for professionals.......2005-07-31
This beautiful book from the world teacher Iyengar was difficult to read, and I am teaching yoga already for 25 years. So, for me it was marvellous, but not recommended for beginners.
Herman Gielen. Holland.
Average customer rating:
- Without doubt one of the finest, most inspiring books I have come across!
- Yoga, Power, and Spirit: Patanjali the Shaman
- A classic text on the spiritual practice of yoga
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Yoga, Power, and Spirit: Patanjali the Shaman
Alberto Villoldo
Manufacturer: Hay House
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ASIN: 1401910475 |
Book Description
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is the classic text on the spiritual practice of yoga. Written more than 2,000 years ago, this work is a map to the fast track to enlightenment. They derive from an ancient oral tradition, when Devi, the Divine feminine, was worshiped. Yet, today, the Yoga Sutra is taught by priests and scholars from a masculine Hindu tradition that obscures the simple wisdom in it. Yoga, Power, and Spirit shows us that the Sutra is pre-Hindu, and that the power of Devi and enlightenment are available to us at all times, without guru, temple, or decades of study.
Yoga is the direct path to enlightenment. Patanjali taught that all knowledge was acquired directly from the Source. This book reveals how the power of Devi can guide the practitioner of yoga to sure and inevitable self-realization.
Alberto Villoldo is a shaman who has practiced Yoga for 25 years, and embraced the way of the Divine feminine. He has traveled to the source of India's holy rivers in the Himalayas to rediscover the wisdom of the Sadhu, India’s ancient shamans. He brings to life the spiritual teachings of yoga in a pure, practical, and irreverent wayâstripped of dogma and brimming with poetry and spirit.
Customer Reviews:
Without doubt one of the finest, most inspiring books I have come across!.......2007-09-18
If any of the mystical traditions appeal to you, please invest the small price to own this book. Clearly and concisely this small treasure reviews Patanjali's sutras. Alberto Villoldo makes them poetry to the soul and heart. Each sutra is given a few sentences so beautifully expressed that no more is necessary. To alleviate "disciple-quilt" he states so wonderfully to the advancing student on page xxvii "As Swami Venkatesananda said: "Renounce the self that does the renunciation". With so many New Age books leaving enthusiasts with an almost inability to speak a sentence without self-correction, "Yoga, Power, and Spirit" takes the true student to the heart of the ancient traditions and well beyond the superficial hype of the current, sometimes, very limiting explanation of the metaphysical and sacred. Simply Dr. Villoldo gives us an easily understood adjunct to other sound authors such as Paramahansa Yogananda, Wayne Dyer and Greg Braden. He is in that class!
Yoga, Power, and Spirit: Patanjali the Shaman.......2007-07-07
This book is a portable treasure chest of inspirations. Dr. Villoldo doesn't just reword the old, he renews it for what is needed by today's humanity. It is a bridge between yesterday and tomorrow. Read it and let it come alive within you and renew your spirit for the future.
A classic text on the spiritual practice of yoga .......2007-03-23
This audio is based on the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, a classic text on the spiritual practice of yoga written more than 2,000 years ago. Villoldo explains important parts of the spiritual and philosophical sides of yoga that many westerners are unfamiliar with. Alberto Villoldo is a shaman who has practiced yoga for 25 years. He has traveled to the source of India's holy rivers in the Himalayas to research the material for this audio. You can see our complete review at [...]
Book Description
By Swami Vivekananda, Raja-Yoga, the path of meditation and control of the mind, gives a scientific treatment of Yoga philosophy describing methods of concentration, psychic development and the liberation of the soul from bondage of the body. Rja-Yoga also includes Swami Vivekananda's translation and commentary of the "Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali." Raja-Yoga, along with Swami Vivekananda's Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, and Jnna-Yoga, are considered classics and outstanding treatises on Hindu philosophy. The Swami's deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, and broad human sympathy shine forth in these works and offer inspiration to all spiritual seekers.
Customer Reviews:
You can't go wrong.......2006-12-05
You can't go wrong with any book by Vivekananda. Not only was he a great scholar, he was a saint and mystic who had personally experienced the things he taught. This book gives an extremely clear description of Raja Yoga from both a practical and philosophical standpoint. The first half explains the philosophical concepts of Hinduism regarding the relationships between mind, matter, and spirit. The second half of the book walks you through the ancient Yoga Sutras.
A must for understanding human nature!.......2006-07-25
Raja Yoga is the King of Yogas.
This book really enables you to understand how your mind processes information and how to conquer your own nature to exercise free will.
The author Swami Vivekananda was both an enlightened soul and an elequent speaker. His words are powerfull!
Holy.......2005-06-04
Each soul is potentially divine. Break free of attachment through controlling the gentle ripples of your mind's peace.
Thanks and praise
-Oracle
GREAT EXPOSITION.......2003-10-23
THIS BOOK CLEARLY DETAILS THE THEORY OF RAJA YOGA. IT'S SURPRSING TO SEE HOW EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND RELIABLE THE BOOK IS CONSIDERING THE PERIOD IN WHICH IT WAS WRITTEN. THIS IS NOT PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS IN RAJA YOGA THOUGH, FOR THAT YOU NEED ANOTHER BOOK OR A QUALIFIED TEACHER. I PARTICULARLY LIKE THE SECTION ON THE PRANA AND HOW THE AUTHOR EVALUTES THE VARIOUS RELIGIONS. ALSO, HE BRIFLY MENTIONS SANKARA AND HIS PHILOSOPHY. YOU MAY DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF COPY ON LINE.
PROS: CONTAINS THE YOGA SUTRAS AND COMMENTARY ON SAME. PROVIDES EXCELLENT THEORY THAT PROVIDES A SOLID BACKGROUND IN THE SUBJECT.
CONS: THIS IS MORE OF AN EXPOSITION ON RAJA YOGA INSTEAD OF IT'S ACTUAL PRACTICE.
Clear, Concise, Practical, Enlightening.......2002-05-30
4 stars seems a little under spoken, but The quality of the book is not what is questionable when dealing with an author of such stature. He is elegant, and eloquent in his explantions and commentary on the sutras. The only area I have disagreed with the author in his steadfast disagreement with left hand practices, but he was taught the way he was taught, and raised the way he was raised and to each his own. All in all a great book.
Book Description
This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of concentration and meditation. This new deluxe printing of these timeless teachings is a treasure to be read and referred to again and again by seekers treading the spiritual path. The classic Sutras (thought-threads), at least 4,000 years old, cover the yogic teachings on ethics, meditation, and physical postures, and provide directions for dealing with situations in daily life.
Customer Reviews:
Patanjali's yoga sutras brought to life by a modern master.......2007-08-20
The collection of concise yoga sutras, put together by Patanjali are an important read for any yoga practitioner--teacher or enthusiast. Swami Satchidananda has translated the ancient text into meaningful and practical explanations which really apply to modern living. This is not just a one time read, but rather a wonderful guide to reflect upon often. The text is organized into four books geared to inspire and teach a yogic way of life. Yoga is not a religion of any sorts but rather an eight limbed path leading us from suffering to freedom. The details of how we develop this peace are all included in the book. I highly recommend this book in particular because of its clear and thoughtful translations.
easy reading, great comprehension.......2007-05-07
I love this book! Easy to read, simple explanations from Sri Swami Satchidananda, allows you to dive deeply on the true meaning of each Sutra. Truly a book commented by an enlightened soul.
Wonderful book!.......2007-04-11
I enjoy reading this book! The author quite obviously knows what he is talking about. He gives wonderful explanations and provides insights to the Yoga Sutras. I am learning a great deal from his commentaries on Pantanjali's humanity-benefiting work.
Thank you, Swami Satchinananda!
Could it be more condescending?.......2007-02-06
I have two other versions/interpretations of the yoga sutras. I was actually quit surpised by sutra 2 of this book. He refers to the "chitta vritti" as "mind stuff." Mind stuff? Please. How about a real explanation. Definately written for an American audience whom he regards as very simple. I read a couple more sutras but really couldn't take it as it was just ridiculous.
If you are the type of person who would be happy being told that there is "mind stuff" taking place inside your brain and it is far too complicated for you to understand then by all means buy this book. Otherwise, try the Four Chapters of Freedom. It offers much more thorough explainations and it treats its audience with respect.
How to tell a good commentary on the Sutras.......2007-01-04
How to choose a useful commentary on the Sutras? A rule of thumb is to examine the author's take on the first five sutras. These are the ones in which Patanjali defines what Yoga is and in a nutshell points to what the enlightened state is. Authors who have no idea either don't get this, or are not able to explicate it well. Satchidananda is one of the happy few who are able. An illustrative comment is on P7, in reference to Sutra 3: "You are that true Seer. You are not the body or the mind." The thing that makes the Satchidananda commentary reliable is that he never loses sight of that intrinsic point of the first, definitional sutras. Beyond a certain cultural context, Satchidananda does not abandon "no-body and no-mind" for a moralistic exhortation. He keeps clear sight of the concept-free nature of universal reality.
This version is not as good as the out-of-print The Authentic Yoga Sutras of P Y Deshpande, nor does it have the clarity of Osho's limited commentary - but it is miles ahead of commentaries of some of the more famous names in contemporary Yoga.
Jani Baker
Principal, Australian College of Classical Yoga.
Book Description
In just 196 short aphorisms, this classic work of Indian philosophy spells out succinctly how the mind works, and how it is possible to use the mind to attain liberation. Compiled in the second or third century CE, the Yoga-Sutra is a road map of human consciousnessâand a particularly helpful guide to the mind states one encounters in meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices. It expresses the truths of the human condition with great eloquence: how we know what we know, why we suffer, and how we can discover the way out of suffering. Chip Hartranft's fresh translation and extensive, lucid commentary bring the text beautifully to life. He also provides useful auxiliary materials, including an afterword on the legacy of the Yoga-Sutra and its relevance for us today.
Customer Reviews:
Succinct, lucid, palatable.......2007-10-09
I have been studying Hatha Yoga with an Iyengar teacher for a couple of years. Curious about yoga's philosophical underpinnings, I took Hartranft's book out of the library.
I have read the disputes about the authenticity of Hartranft's translation in other reviews on Amazon. I can't split hairs over fine points of translations from Sanskrit, or Hindu philosophy, but as a translator in other languages, I can say without reservation that Hartranft's translation is lucid and beautifully crafted. Also, I find Hartranft's commentaries accessible, palatable, informative, and refreshingly dispassionate. Hartranft frankly, openly, fairly and succinctly addresses the relationship of the Yoga-Sutra to the teachings of other Hindu philosophical systems and of Buddhism, and to modern scientific and historical findings.
I suspect that the breadth of Hartranft's perspective is, in part, what some readers find objectionable. Or maybe it's that he avoids loading down the discussion with references to polytheistic Hinduism. But after all, the Yoga-Sutra is not about that, any more than the writings of Aristotle are about Greek gods.
If you are looking to cloak yourself in devotional yoga culture, look elsewhere. But for a clear and concise introduction to the Yoga-Sutra, or to guide your way in a yoga practice, I highly recommend this book.
Misleading--Commentary purely Buddhist, not Yoga.......2007-05-05
If you want to learn about Buddhism and in particular vipassana meditation there are plenty of books out there that are great. But the Yoga Sutras are about Yoga and though there are some strong overlaps, in the final analysis the Yogic philosophy is about union with God whereas Buddhist is not. This commentator intentionally ignores this "elephant in the room" so he can promote Buddhism using a Yogic text. He explains the difference away with a wave of his hand by saying the Patanjali's Ishvara (the ultimate godhead) is impersonal. My reaction is that this is gross over simplification and even if it were so, Buddhism strictly denies any godhead, personal or impersonal. Since the point of the Yoga Sutras is to teach union with the transcendent godhead through stilling the mind and the purpose of Buddhist meditation is to achieve total equanimity through stilling the mind, the 2 overlap but are not the same thing. The fact that the commentator (Chip Hartranft), with every good intention, glosses over this makes this particular version more about Chip Hartranft's ideas that Patanjali's. You encounter this a lot in translations of Yogic texts, the most egregious example being "The Bhagavad Gita As it Is" which is nothing more than a distorted tract to indoctrinate the reader into the Hare Krishna movement and has little to do with accuracy. Having spent years as a vispassana meditator and now as a yogi, I can affirm that there are definite overlaps but one strong difference. The Yogi seeks God within himself, the Buddhist has nothing to do with such a quest. If you want a book on vipassa (Buddhist) meditation, try S.N. Goenka's book on Vipassana or perhaps on of the books by Joseph Goldstein. If you want an accurate commentary of the Yoga Sutra's, try Satchidananda's or Iyengar's. This book, though beautiful in it's explaination of Buddhism, is simply misleading because it does not address yoga acurately.
A consistent translation.......2006-09-24
If I may clear up any confusion...translations of ancient Indian languages (Sanskrit and Pali) are works in progress. It is my understanding that there is no direct translation of Sanskrit or Pali. I have seen citta translated as mind, consciousness, of the heart, and thought. It largely depends on the context of the entire passage and whether or not there is consistency throughout the text. This is why it is important to have a translator who possesses transcendental knowledge into what he or she is translating.
Here, the translator uses consciousness for citta which is the mind in general. One could use mind if one feels more comfortable...consciousness and mind are synonyms.
Brilliant, lucid and concise .......2006-06-19
I found this guide to the Yoga Sutra to be highly coherent, logical and easy to follow. The author's commentary "rings true" with my own experience as a meditator, and it is in practice that the worth of the translation is to be found. A particularly interesting implication of the translator is that the awakened state frees the meditator to leave behind the emotional baggage that obstructs a rational, clear view of life and the universe; to me, this is the Universe waking up to itself, a way for existence to know itself, a path for dropping the masks we wear through the sheer inertia of habitual living. This is the beginning of a logical, rational life, and meditation is the path that opens the way to the ideals that such thinkers as Zeno the Stoic conceived. This book is an invaluable resoure for anyone who seriously wishes to explore the fully-awakened life. If the student of meditation wishes to discover the basis of logical, compassionate living, this book is a useful guide.
Dry and difficult to read.......2006-04-26
This was my first time reading The Yoga Sutras, and I struggled with it for weeks and finished it only with great effort. The writing was dry, confusing, and I was often pausing to look up words (both English and Sanskrit). I would only recommend this book if you are a scholar interested in reading every translation of the Yoga Sutras, or if you are a devoted friend of the author. I bought this book as a required text for a class. It turns out the author is a friend of the teacher who assigned our reading list. What a disappointment!
Book Description
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a classic Sanskrit treatise consisting of 195 “threads,” or aphorisms, describing the process of liberation through yoga. Although little is known about Patanjali (most scholars estimate that he lived in India circa 200–300 b.c.), his writings have long been recognized as a vital contribution to the philosophy and practice of yoga. This new, expert translation of the original Sanskrit text of Patanjali’s best-known work presents his seminal ideas and methods in accessible, plain-language English.
Patanjali organized the sutra into four parts: Samadhi (absorption), Sadhana (practice), Vibhuti (supernatural powers), and Kaivalya (liberation). Each represents a step in breaking free of our limited definition of consciousness and training the mind to achieve oneness with the universe. Geshe Michael Roach, one of the most respected teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in America and a renowned scholar of Sanskrit, provides authoritative commentary on each of the sutras. His notes and clarification are straightforward and highly readable, untainted by obscure, academic terminology or New Age jargon. The first edition of the Yoga Sutra to present a Buddhist perspective, this paperback original will be welcomed by students and spiritual seekers alike.
Customer Reviews:
Don't be fooled by the simple style.......2006-08-17
Its easy to be fooled by the simple, straightforward language of this translation. It uses everyday examples to illustrate the principles. But humming beneath the surface is a profound current of authentic metaphysics.
They seem to deliberately steer clear of overly religious ways of presenting the material, so that anyone can read it - you dont have to be a card-carrying Hindu etc.
I've read their other books on yoga (How Yoga Works, The Tibetan Book of Yoga) and heard some of their talks, and in my opinion this book is a successful distillation of the practical wisdom of yoga. If you want a more detailed work, try one of their other books, mentioned above.
Most importantly, it is easy to get into a whole trip and get confused with the externals - for me this book helps me focus on the most important things: how taking care of other people is the very fuel for a successful yoga practice.
Dumbing Down the Sublime.......2006-06-08
An unsolicited copy of this book arrived in the mail sent by a business organizer for Geshe Michael Roach, apparently timed to arrive just before his scheduled appearance - along with his `spiritual partner' Christie McNally - here in Hong Kong. This is clever, not to say even aggressive, marketing. However, Roach's training is in Buddhism, a non-Vedic doctrine, and the Yoga Sutra is one of the six Vedic philosophical schools of India. In this book there are specific instances wherein it is clear that Roach does not understand the principles he is supposedly explaining, and builds certain of his arguments on assumptions in the category of vikalpa (misconception). Beginning students, who seem to be the target audience, are not likely to notice these discrepancies, and I find this unfair and even dangerous for them.
Having studied authentic Sanskrit texts under a guru in a proper lineage and practiced yoga for nearly four decades myself, I would suggest to readers that where one gets spiritual information is as important as what one reads. For many of us, Roach is too controversial to be seen as a reliable reference. Despite his accolades and scholarship, his sophistries seem sentimental and wishy washy, not likely to ignite the fire of tapasya (ardor and austerity) in anyone, although good points do glimmer occasionally through the haze. Those who are content to skim the surface of the ultimate human achievement without any expectation of attaining the real thing have found the perfect user friendly but unfortunately pirated version here.
Some ideas do not submit to simplification. .......2006-05-22
One hesitates to criticize a work presented with such obvious good will, but the authors' efforts to render the Yoga Sutra accessible have produced troubling distortions. The first section gives a good account of the illusory nature of perception and the critical role of meditation. Their discussion of the practice, however, is marred by a tendency to treat the Sutra as a kind of Hindu Catechism. For example, their discussion of the observance of Brachmacharya falls under the heading "How to Succeed in Relationships." Well, hardly. The Yogi does not avoid sex in order to succeed in relationships or generate good karma with Nobodaddy or because sex is a sin. The Yogi avoids sex because it is a waste of time! You really have to understand this. To present it in any other way is just more illusion.
I learned the other day that the Hindus invented the concept of zero, because they needed very large numbers to describe how long it takes to work through the chains of karma and achieve the final stages of meditation. The practices described in the Sutras require lifetimes of effort and will certainly seem unattainable to most of us, but that is no justification for pretending they are some kind of recipe for the good life. I think in presenting the notions of the Sutras to people who may not be ready for the undiluted truth, it is better to focus on the ideas that will not repel the curious. The mind will awaken and seek the further complexities with the time is right.
Disappointing.......2006-03-20
The authors seem to disregard the original text and come up with their own Buddhism-inspired interpretations, thus failing to do justice to the Yoga-Sutra, which clearly is a Hindu scripture.
Can't Live Without It.......2005-12-29
The Essential Yoga Sutra: Ancient Wisdom for Your Yoga
by Geshe Michael Roach and Christie McNally
The Yoga Sutra is the first and most important book ever written about yoga. It was composed by the Indian master Patanjali about 17 centuries ago, in Sanskrit. The sutra is accepted as the ultimate source by all modern schools of yoga, including Ashtanga, Iyengar, Bikram, Anusara, and Tibetan Heart Yoga. It's a book that every teacher and practitioner of yoga should read and use-a guide to our yoga and our life.
This new translation and explanation of the sutra make it easy to actually use for your own yoga practice. It's clear and accurate, based on over 100 ancient manuscripts from India and Tibet which have never been available in English.
The authors have spent more than 25 years in Asia mastering and refining the techniques found in the sutra. They are a popular team who have helped students in yoga centers around the world apply this ancient knowledge immediately for better health, energy, and clarity.
About the authors:
Geshe Michael Roach is the first American ever to be awarded the title of Geshe, after 25 years of study in a Tibetan monastery. He has received the Presidential Scholar medal at the White House, and is the author of the best-selling spiritual classic, The Diamond Cutter.
Christie McNally is a professor of religious studies at Diamond Mountain University. She has trained at Sera Mey and Kopan Tibetan monasteries, as well as with many major Indian and Western yoga teachers. She is a translator of Tibetan and Sanskrit, and co-author of The Tibetan Book of Yoga. She and Geshe Michael recently completed a 3-year retreat in the Arizona desert
www.evolutionink.net
Book Description
One of yoga's most important and influential works, this classic forms a keystone of Indian philosophical and religious thought. The eight-step path to Raja Yoga consists of restraint, observances, posture, breath control, sublimation, attention, concentration, and meditation. This volume contains complete sutras, along with a commentary by Veda-Vyasa and explanations by Vachaspati-Miçra.
Download Description
These are the earliest known writings on the practice of Yoga, outlining in clear and simple language how meditation, attention, breath control, physical exercises, and other methods can be used to lead to the soul's ultimate liberation.
Customer Reviews:
Pocket Book for the Yoga Sutras.......2006-09-06
I've read the Yoga Sutras of Patajali by Sri Swami Satchidananda and found that book to be a much more detailed description of sutras. This book is very brief, which may a good introduction but I've found it to be much less useful. If you are looking for a deep understanding of the sutras, I'd recommend a book with more content.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali....translated by Alistair Shearer.......2006-05-14
This is an enlightening translation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
This book is easy to read and contemplate on. The English word choices are
thoughtful and consistent. Mr. Shearer also writes a wonderful introduction
to the translated text. I once attended a philosophy lecture on Yoga by a college professor who claimed mastery of Tantric Yoga and the Sanskrit language. During lecture, he commented that the Sutras of Patanjali were difficult and "certainly not bed time reading material." I couldn't have disagreed more with the Professor knowing that Mr. Shearer's translation is easy to read, assimilate, and makes wonderful reading anytime night or day, as I have done many, many times.
I recommend this translation to my Yoga students and I also give it as gifts. Enjoy!
Eastern Wisdom.......2006-04-23
Great translation of the timeless and pricelss wisdom of the Yoga Sutra. Yoga seems to be very popular in the physical senses of society today, however the Yoga Sutras speak of the holism of yoga and not just the posture and breathing that yoga is thought of in the popular circles. Great book and application of it will allow you to find peace and tranquility by detaching from the chaotic mind(ego).
Excellent source for non-yoginis.......2005-06-10
This is my favorite translation of this book, although I think for someone who has never read about them other translations might be the place to start.
In this book the introduction is more from a world literature view not just Hindu. His text is peppered with quotes from all traditions. One of my favorites was:
Every morning put your mind into your heart and stand in the presence of God all day long -
anon Eastern Orthodox monk.
His description of the sutras is elegant:
"Texts like the Yoga Sutras are views from the mountaintop. Their purpose is to encourage and guide us, the climbers, to share their panoramic view. But the climb can only be accomplished in stages. Realizing this, teachers have often clothed their wisdom in parable, analogy, and provisional truth. Panatela's style however, displays neither the charming blend of courtly naturalistic imagery that characterizes the writings of the Taoists in China, nor the imaginative richness of Sufi poetry and fable. It is altogether more austere. Like some pure crystal, his message reveals its facets one by one. The whole picture is unfolded stage by stage and the teaching emerges gradually. In this way what is a complex and unfamiliar subject, the mechanics of consciousness, is broken down into easily manageable sections. Each section is self-sufficient yet part of a greater whole. It is particularly important that the truth be unfolded gradually when what is being conveyed is not knowledge in the normal sense but the transformation of consciousness itself. The teacher must apply upaya - `the skillful method' - he must teach on the level of the student's ability to understand. Otherwise his words will not be grasped. Yoga confirms Blake's observation: "The fool sees not the same tree the wise man sees".
He also inserts a lot of quantum physics type comparisons and quotes by Niels Bohr. In the conclusion of the introduction he states:
"One last word: DO, whenever possible, read the Yoga Sutras outloud. The teaching of yoga is an aural tradition, which knows the ability of sound to transform the hearer. We live in a cacophonous age and have forgotten the power of the right sound to heal and regenerate. But the sutras date from an age of preliterate innocence, when each word uttered by the bard or seer possessed a tremendous and mysterious creative power - the ability to penetrate deeply into consciousness and plant the seeds of fresh perception. It was a time when "the word was with God and the Word was God." so much so that even the timely hearing of certain of certain scriptures was said to confer liberation. The sutras were passed down by word of mouth for centuries before they were committed to writing. Like the Vedas and Upanishads before them, they have been chanted, sung and murmured for thousands of years, reverberating around cave sanctuaries, temple halls, and centers of learning and pilgrimage. Every sound has its effect, and a pure sound will carry the mind to that silence which is the source of all sounds. This ability to transport the listener is not wholly confined to the original Sanskrit, even in translation, some of the resonance can be transmitted. For all their restrained logic and classical praise, the Yoga Sutras are a hymn of praise, which should be recited far and wide for all to hear. We are in dire need of their wisdom, for it is in the understanding and utilization of the precious gift of human consciousness that our next evolutionary advance lies."
Great book. There is no cross-referencing and nothing in Sanskrit but it is a great place for non-yogini's to start. I loved it. I read it often and although it is small in comparison to some of the translations I find peace, tranquility and new wisdom in it every time I read it.
Engaging translation but not the best commentary.......2003-10-18
This book was first published in London in 1982 as Effortless Being: the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. I assume the translation of the sutras is the same while Shearer, who is a disciple of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, has updated his Introduction. The text is presented in a sky blue color that is easy on the eyes and does not distract from the meaning of the words. The design by Barbara Sturman is indeed very attractive while the small size of the book (4.75 by 6.25 by 0.75 inches) makes for easy portability.
The translation itself takes up about one-third of the book while Shearer's commentary takes up most of the rest. The translation is strikingly original and interpretative. Patanjali's famous first line, which I recall most agreeably as "Now, instruction in yoga" (which I have from Ernest Egerton Wood's Practical Yoga, 1948) is presented as "And now the teaching on yoga begins." B.K.S. Iyengar, in his Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (1993), which I highly recommend in addition to this book, has "With prayers for divine blessings, now begins an exposition of the sacred art of yoga."
Clearly the differences with this first line are mainly stylistic with Iyengar emphasizing a spiritual and religious tone while Wood's aim was to reflect Patanjali's succinct style, with Shearer looking for lucidity and an affinity with the modern English expression. But let's look at the second sutra. Shearer's "Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence" is very pretty, and when one realizes that "silence" to Shearer is akin to godliness (he quotes Meister Eckhart on page 24: "Nothing in all creation is so like God as silence"), it works in a symbolic sense as well. Professor Wood's "Yoga is the control of the ideas in the mind" places a very different emphasis. But in Shearer's understanding, the idea of "control" is inappropriate. He sees instead that "Once pointed in the right direction, the mind will begin to settle down of its own accord. It needs no control or forcible restraint." (p. 68)
From my experience (I began my practice of yoga in 1974) both of these ideas are correct; and indeed it is a synthesis of conscious control of the ideas of the mind along with a sense of falling away that leads to meditation and samadhi. It is a mistake to imagine that one makes no effort, since it is the very essence of yoga that one does indeed make an effort and uses technique in order to find liberation (rather than, say, faith or knowledge). Yoga is above all a practice and nothing in it can be fully appreciated without practice. But it is also a mistake to think that one can through force of will achieve samadhi. What is required is a controlled practice in which one leads the reluctant mind and body to a place of relaxed concentration in which meditation is allowed to take place.
But let's now look at how Iyengar translates this famous second aphorism: "Yoga is the cessation of movements in the consciousness." He adds, "This vital sutra contains the definition of yoga: the control or restraint of the movement of consciousness, leading to their complete cessation." (Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, p. 46)
While I think Shearer's translation is very much worthwhile, I am less enthusiastic about his interpretation. He devotes the last part of his Introduction to the famous "siddhas" (psychic powers). He attempts to justify and explain them in terms of quantum mechanics, averring that "the subatomic universe...reveals a reality that is every bit as strange as Patanjali's." (p. 79) He even compares the superfluidity of helium near absolute zero to what is possible in the "least excited state of awareness" (i.e., the self in samadhi). This sophistic suggestion, which has largely been discredited, at least in the scientific community, relies on the false belief that the human mind (a macro object all the way down to the molecular level) can in some way operate on the quantum level. This is "New Age" babble of the most annoying sort and does not in any way explain the so-called psychic powers. Anyone who has practiced yoga long enough and has become adept at meditation has experienced these psychic powers, but realizes that they are phenomena of the mind and have nothing to do with ordinary consciousness or ordinary experience. They are--and this is why they are valuable and why Patanjali mentions them--signposts on the way to samadhi. When one experiences a siddha, it is an indication that one has stilled the ordinary mind and is making progress. I don't think Shearer really understands this.
I could also take exception to his interpretation of some of the limbs of Patanjali's yoga, or express my appreciation of some of his insights. For example, I think his translation of shaucha (sauca) as "simplicity" instead of the usual "cleanliness" or "purity" is very agreeable. On the other hand, I could disagree with his interpretation of brahmacharya as something more than celibacy. I think brahmacharya means exactly that, celibacy. Or I could find his idea that pratyahara is akin to William Blake's "closing the doors of perception" (p. 68) interesting and worth adding to the regular meaning of "withdrawal of the senses." But these fine distinctions would be beside the point. Note well that the sole purpose of Patanjali's yoga is liberation from the pair of opposites (pleasure and pain) that dominate our lives. The word "samadhi" (the goal of yoga) means both the highest level of meditation and something akin to the Buddhist "satori," or enlightenment. All of yoga is a means to this end.
For anyone beginning their yoga practice this book can help, but it should be understood that reading this or any other translation and interpretation of Patanjali's yoga sutras is only the beginning and is actually worthless without the concomitant practice of yoga.
Book Description
Inside the Yoga Sutras presents a clear, up-to-date perspective on the classic text of Yoga theory and practice: the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. This comprehensive sourcebook includes: commentary for each sutra, extensive cross referencing, a study gu
Customer Reviews:
very helpful in the study of the sutras.......2007-05-06
Carrera's sourcebook is helpful in this daunting task of unpacking the sutras of Patanjali. He has explained so nicely his well-organized work which is clearly influenced by his guru, Swami Satchitanada. His clarity and humor are real gems in making this text accessible for the modern day yogi (yogini). It is highly readable and can be used as a resource and reviewed countless times. I find something new each time I read it!
A Work of Peace.......2006-12-17
This reflective book is my peace in the morning. I start each day reading and re-reading one or two sutras. Rev. Jaganath has provided a text that directly relates to our modern day lives. This book has helped me pace my life and to encourage a mindful approach. Thank you for this lasting translation.
"Must-have".......2006-12-08
This book is an absolute "must-have" for everyone interested in yoga and spititual philosophy. The writing is simple, straight-forward, and downright entertaining, making a sometimes difficult subject very accessible and endearing.
I have to read it with a pen handy, taking notes infused with inspiration (I simply must write in my favorite books) and revisiting the gems uncovered over and over again. Rev. Jaganath makes this sooo easy, because he has all these great reference sections in the back, like "Sutras-By-Subject" and a "Glossary of Sanskrit Terms" (I love this section.)
"Inside the Yoga Sutras" is filled with wisdom and love, truly touching the heart on the deepest level.
Inciteful.......2006-12-08
This book sits on my kitchen table and I read a little bit of it each day to remind me of the insightful teachings of the Yoga Sutras. Rev. Jaganath Carrera writes helpful stories to go explain the Sutras so that even a newcomer to Yoga can understand. This book has helped me bring yoga from an exercise to a way of life. Thank you Rev. Jaganath!
Inside The Yoga Sutras.......2006-12-07
Wonderful!! I've been studying the sutras for three years now and Reverend Jaganath's book was able to take me to an even deeper level in grasping Patanjali's heartfelt intentions behind his words...I felt as if I was reading the sutras for the first time with a great big flash light shining on the depths and meanings of this beautiful guide which has served many in understanding and navigating a way through the gift we call life.
Book Description
Go straight to the heart of yogic teachings! Too often, Westerners perform the yoga positions without considering the form's underlying philosophy and spiritual dimension. For the first time, in this new and elegant translation from the Sanskrit, all the sutras appear in an accessible question-and-answer format, along with special queries that encourage self-reflection. The result is a treasure trove of insight. 275 pages, 1 b/w illus., 6 x 9.
Customer Reviews:
Think on these..........2004-07-19
What an amazing reflection on the sturas! Bouanchaud does an exceptional job breaking down the sutras into managable chunks, with leading questions to help you personalize and internalize the ancient text. Giving the sanskrit words and pronunciation along side the english is also helpful. The "table of contents" listing of each sutra at the beginning of the book is a wonderful way to find the sutra you seek, though they are all such phenominal concepts to think on. The questions for each sutra are wonderful to start a yoga class, a conversation, or just a way to start your thought process rolling. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, it will change the way you see things!
Next best thing to studying w/ an exceptional teacher.......2000-01-17
I have actively studied this book for over 2 years. It is the next best thing to studying with a learned scholar & practitioner. While studying w/ two such teachers, I have used several translations. While they all have their merits, none are as good as this for conveying an understanding of the work as a whole and it's relevance to perennial human concerns. The literal translation of each sutra is the least vauable part of the book and here I can see room for some debate on a few individual sutras. More valuable, however, is the commentary and discussion. Here the book excels, like a good teacher. I found the occasional scholarly tangential discussion of Samkhya and Ayurveda quite useful and relevant to better understand the overall content. If I had to recommend just one sutra book, this would be it.
A decent book on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.......1999-10-02
I ordered this book from Amazon and was amazed by the structure and content of this presentation. The only factor that may distract the careful reader is that it is a translation from French and by no means it is perfect. Some misspelling remained and there are some sentences that leave the reader clueless (not necessarily because of the cosmic info transmitted). The original work must be a decent piece, it is a pity that its translation is less accurate.
If really interested in the Yoga Sutras, by I.K. Taimni's 'The Science of Yoga', which is exactly about the same topic, discussing the Yoga Sutras, but really in-depth.
Book Description
Approximately two thousand years old,
The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali is the landmark scripture on classical yoga. The translation and commentary provided here by Georg Feuerstein are outstanding for their accessibility and their insight into the essential meaning of this ancient and complex text.
A scholar of international renown who has studied and practiced yoga since the age of fourteen, Feuerstein also brings to
The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali his experience as a professional indologist. His faithful and informed rendering of the aphorisms (sutras) is based on extensive personal research into the Sanscrit sources. Each word is explained so that the entire text becomes readily available to the western reader and student of yoga.
Customer Reviews:
The best modern translation.......2007-08-09
I had to reorder this book because I wore out my copy. Which, come to think of it, is a mark against the binding. It is glued. But to be fair I really used it a lot.
Feuerstein is a Sanskrit scholar and shows how he interprets each word or phrase into modern usage. He is a spiritual traveler himself and knows what is helpful. His emphasis is on how we can understand ourselves better.
The book is concise but he also gives an excellent overview of the philosophy and history of Raja Yoga.
This book is made especially for ease of use on a very difficult intellectual topic. Patanjali can be confusing and too brief in the sense that he only touches on extremely important topics. For the first time reader F. has made much more of Patanjali's work accessible in this fine book.
can't say good or bad, depends on your interest, who you are.......2001-10-27
what's so opaque about the aphorisms that writers start to pre-interpret them for you, invariably tinted with their own precepts and ideas? It's a little like somebody chewing your food for you. The aphorisms are not that opaque and its an enjoyable and useful excercise to read them in their simple, bare and clear form, until the understanding comes - your own realizations rather then someone elses. You could read a book like this over the weekend, but I'm not sure it's supposed to be read like that. It seems better you should do the mental work yourself, aphorism by aphorism. There is an effect to this, which could be lost if it's all been solved and explained for you. Therefore I prefer authors that appeared to be going to great lengths to avoid adding too much of their own coloring, like William Q. Judge's interpretation from 1914. That is regrettably only available from Kessinger in bound photocopy format. I wish somebody would make a decent new print of it.
Anyways, Patanjali's aphorisms are worth the time in any form and I shall thank any author who spent his time to bring them to more of us, different introductions will appeal to different people.
Not worth the time.......2001-01-11
Criticizing other's interpretations of the sutra is not the way to expound your own understanding (or lack of it) of this classic yoga text. Yoga is a practical science, not an academic exposition of your point of view. If you want to gain a working, practical understanding of the sutra to deepen your own personal practice, try a translation by one of the Indian interpreters such as I.K. Taimni.
Among the best - still missing somethings.......2000-11-22
I have looked at atleast 8 translations of Patanjali. Dr. Feurstein's is among the best. Particularly appealing is his defining Sanskrit roots, however, I wish he would have had the text in Sanskrit as well as transliteration. At times he gets overly pedantic and I believe misses the meaning of the sutra. It is the problem with all the available translations. Some of his translations don't make sense. Once again a common problem. At times he comes forth with very astute observations. It is not easy to get to Kaivalya from here.
A clear translation and worthwhile quide........1999-12-06
I am presently studying Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras with about sixteen other students. The fact that Patanjali's sutras are, by there very nature, brief to the extreme (sometimes only sentence fragments) presents a real challenge and a dilemma for the student. What is the real meaning of these sutras as intended by Patanjali and how is this meaning to be understood in the larger context of yoga philosophy and practice? One has only to see the large number of translations available in the market, all differing on key points of philosophy and understanding, to experience this dilemma. In Georg Feurstein's book "The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali" I found the translation and commentary to be straight to the point and very useful. In his book,, Feurstein first examines and exposes the philosophical ground of Yoga philosophy thus helping the student to build a basis on which to understand Patanjali's sutras. Then Feurstein, prior to beginning the translation of the sutras, presents an overview of the topics discussed by Patanjali. And then, in translating and commenting on the sutras, Feurstein first presents the sutra in transliterated Roman script and then gives a word by word translation along with the Sanskrit breakdown and derivation, if important. He then translates the sutra and offers a detailed commentary. At the end of the book he offers two appendices which I found quite useful; "Continuous translation" of the sutras; and Word Index of the Yoga-Sutra. Feursteins understanding of the "language of yoga" is apparent. With confidence, Feurstein easily guides us through bumpy and difficult terrain which are the Yoga Sutras. His translations of the sutras were perceptive and understandable and his commentary was illumined. I continue to find this book to be very helpful in my yoga studies and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interesting in understanding Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.
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