UninspiredDecember 1, 2008 I didn't like this book for a few reasons.
First, The writing style is very flat and boring despite the pedantic use of impressive-sounding words.
Second, it adds nothing of value to the yoga literature, and failed to inspire this reader to pursue yoga.
Third, the cases provides as examples are so uninteresting that it really takes away all interest to continue on the path of yoga.
Fourth, one gets the feeling that this is the new style "trendy" yoga, rather than the old style spiritual path, because of absence of any genuine guru. The author is definitely not a guru, but to give him credit, does not represent himself as one either.
Fifth, well, the absence of eastern mysticism really takes the taste away...
one of the bestOctober 23, 2008 I consider this one of the most important books I have ever read. From his historical explanation of the relationship between yoga and Buddhism, to the step-by-step explanation of how to analyze patterns of behavior in yourself and others, it is a remarkable book. I have read several other books on Eastern/Buddhist psychology, before and after reading this one, but I always come back to "The Wisdom of Yoga" because it is the easiest to understand and apply directly to my life.
Making the Westerner's ConnectionFebruary 15, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is the book that tied it all together for me. After years of studying the Eastern books and trying to understand the deeper meaning of samadhi, Stephen Cope really brings it home for the Western mind. His ability to share real-life experiences of the Sutras from an American/Western standpoint rang all the bells for me. I have given this book as a gift to many others who just needed a slightly different perspective to join the stream of consciousness. Bravo Stephen and Namaste.
The Wisdom of YogaFebruary 8, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
An easy to read, deep and personal account of the exploration of yogic principles and how they apply in everyday life. I found it hard to put down and marked just about every page for later review and pondering.
Textbook for a course I'm to take...December 31, 2007 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've participated in yoga courses for quite a few years now on and off, --some excellent and some not so great, depending on the instructors. I have an excellent teacher now and she is about to offer a new course in meditation and yoga. This is the text for it. I am excited to be learning more about what yoga is all about on spiritual/philosophical/meditative levels. This book is easy to read and offers insights about yoga for the average Westerner and how it can both simplify and enrich your life and help you understand more about yourself and others, how you can become more mindful in your daily life. Life in the 21st century is crazy, fast-paced, and full of pressures, stresses, and negativity (war, global warming, worries about the economy). Yoga is one of various paths to greater understanding, serenity, clarity, and wisdom. Earlier this year I took a course called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction which included some yoga as well as meditation, and other exercises for reducing stress. This course resulted in my wanting to learn more about what is behind yoga and meditation, their history, to understand more about their modern-day and past expert practitioners. I guess the only thing that bothers me at all about the book is all of the unfamiliar terms that are introduced that I can't get fixed in my mind, but perhaps taking the course will help with that, or perhaps that doesn't matter so much. The book is easy to read and understand and is very informative and insightful.
