A living yogiJuly 9, 2007 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
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....May 9, 2007 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
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!!!!October 25, 2006 5 out of 6 found this review helpful
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, and not tinged with a particular cult/sect slant. 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. This book has help me so much with dharana and other aspects of my daily Meditational practices. B.K.S Iyengar gives alot of scholarly, useful information.
even if you have never been to a yoga class ...December 29, 2005 16 out of 17 found this review helpful
... 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 professionalsJuly 31, 2005 15 out of 17 found this review helpful
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.
