Full Description
With its promise of personal improvement, physical well-being and spiritual enrichment, yoga is enjoying a resurgence in popularity at the turn of the third millennium. To unravel the mystery of the discipline, its philosophies and relevance in contemporary life, the original text of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali must be explored. This book offers the first accessible translation and commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. An introductory section examines the multidimensional aspects of yoga as philosophy, psychology, science, and religion, as well as exploring popular versions of yoga in the West. The core of the book offers a new translation of the entire text of the Yoga Sutras, in a language that is clear and comprehensible to students. Commentaries are presented to highlight the meaning of various statements (sutras) and key themes are outlined via sectional summaries. A full glossary of key words and names is also provided. Concluding chapters look at yoga in contemporary life, revealing the popularity of yoga in the 21st century through Star Wars, and exploring yoga's connection to health and science, contrasting yoga's holistic view of healing with that of the limited view of present day medical science. Sample physical, breathing and meditation exercises are provided. An Introduction to Yoga Philosophy offers a comprehensive introduction to the Yoga Sutras text of Patanjali to all students and interested readers of Indian philosophy and religion, world religions, east-west psychology, and mysticism.
Contents
Contents: Preface; The multidimensionality of Yoga: An interdisciplinary approach to understanding Yoga; Yoga as philosophy; Yoga as science; Yoga as psychology; The varieties of Yoga in the West; Patanjali: founder of the Yoga system; The four pillars of the Yoga Sutras; A new rendition of the Yoga sutras with commentary: Samadhipada: total mental stillness or tranquillity as the goal of Yoga; Sadhanapada: the method of Yoga; Vibhutipada: accomplishments of Yoga; Kaivalyapada: total liberation or salvation as the final goal; Yoga and Health: Yoga and healing: the medical connection; Practical aspects of Yoga; Yoga and Yoda: The Star Wars connection; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.
