A succinct, approachable guide to the origins, development, key texts, concepts, and practices of yoga. Yoga is practiced by many millions of people worldwide and is celebrated for its mental, physical, and spiritual benefits. And yet, as Daniel Simpson reveals in The Truth of Yoga, much of what is said about yoga is misleading. For example, the word “yoga” does not always mean union. In fact, in perhaps the discipline’s most famous text—the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali—its aim is described as separation: isolating consciousness from everything else. And yoga is not five thousand years old, as is commonly claimed; the earliest evidence of practice dates back about twenty-five hundred years. (Yoga may well be older, but no one can prove it.) The Truth of Yoga is a clear, concise, and accessible handbook for the lay reader that draws upon abundant recent scholarship. It outlines these new findings with practitioners in mind, highlighting ways to keep traditions alive in the twenty-first century.

Jnana Yoga shows the seeker that everything in the body, personality, thoughts, memories, and experiences has form and is changeable and, thus, is neither essential nor eternal. Its contemplative practice identifies the witnessing consciousness within--all that remains when the ephemeral is eliminated--as the real Self, the one and only unchanging eternal Being.

If you want to understand the philosophy of yoga, this book is for you. In Search of the Highest Truth is a trip into yoga's spiritual dimension that offers readers an unconventional approach to discovering the enduring relevance of ancient yoga wisdom. This book is a must for yoga teachers who want to integrate the philosophy of yoga into their classes and yoga practitioners who want deepen their experience of yoga. Here's what you'll learn: - A brief history of yoga philosophy - The functions of yoga philosophy - The relationship of yoga and religion - The ethics of yoga - How yoga philosophy reconciles destiny and free will - Strategies for reading traditional yoga wisdom texts - How to develop spiritual vision - How to apply the principles of traditional yoga philosophy to life in the modern world. Yoga philosophy provides compelling answers to life's most important questions, offers practical solutions to life's greatest challenges, and radically transforms our experience of the world. In Search of the Highest Truth will deepen your experience of yoga and clear a joyous path to living a spiritual life in the material world. "Here is a carefully conceived book that will be appreciated by students and teachers alike as an excellent introduction to yoga philosophy." - Joshua M. Greene, author of Swami in a Strange Land: How Krishna Came to the West "Hari-kirtana das makes central ideas from the classic texts of yoga easy to grasp and, with just enough cheeky style, shows us how several commonplace 'truths' of yoga trip over their philosophical shoelaces." - Jayadvaita Swami, author of Vanity Karma: Ecclesiastes, the Bhagavad-gita, and the meaning of life "In Search of the Highest Truth is eminently readable, engaging, and definitely fills a gaping hole in the popular literature on yoga." - Carol Horton, author of Yoga, Ph.D.: Integrating the Life of the Mind and the Wisdom of the Body "This companion to the most seminal yoga texts is full of wit and clarity - an excellent resource for advanced trainings or individual study." - Beth Filla, owner and director of yoga teacher training at Yogawood in Collingswood, New Jersey

Most people assume that 'postural' yoga is an ancient Indian tradition. But in fact, as Singleton shows, this type of yoga is quite a recent development. Singleton presents a study of the origins of postural yoga, challenging many current notions about its nature and origins.

"Contains selected excerpts from Paramahansa Yogananda's book "The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You," which book is a commentary on the New Testament gospels and noncanonical source material, focusing on the quest to uncover the original teachings of Jesus"--Provided by publisher.

The author chronicles her lifelong battle with eating disorders and starvation diets, her journey to India to study at the yoga institute of the renowned B. K. S. Iyengar, and her discovery of a spiritual discipline that helped her find peace. 25,000 first printing.

Within the pages of "Jnana-Yoga," the profound collection of ideas penned by Swami Vivekananda, lies a transformative journey into the realm of self-realization and transcendental wisdom. Drawing from ancient Indian philosophy and his own profound experiences, Vivekananda unveils the path of Jnana-Yoga, the pursuit of knowledge and the realization of one's true nature. In this timeless treatise, Vivekananda dismantles the barriers of ignorance that shroud our understanding, inviting readers to embark on an inner quest for self-discovery. Through his teachings, Vivekananda illuminates the profound truths that lie at the core of human existence. He explores the intricate tapestry of the mind and its role in perceiving the world, emphasizing the power of introspection and self-analysis as tools for unraveling the mysteries of the self. Jnana-Yoga is an invitation to embark on an inward pilgrimage, to delve into the depths of our being and discover the timeless truths that lead to liberation. It is a guiding light that empowers seekers to awaken their inner divinity and merge with the eternal source of knowledge.

Never has Enlightenment been made so accessible. The book that is guaranteed to show you what you haven't seen before, revealing the Missing Keys to Self-Realization. This book exposes the ultimate practical guide to Enlightenment & uncovers the unseen blockages made by the ego-mind. It is a practical book especially for those who: - are sincere practitioners, meditators or seekers of the Truth; - wish to put an end to the misery-creator known as ego in this lifetime; - have struggled with their meditation and spiritual endeavors for a long time but have yet to put an end to all dissatisfaction, suffering or incompleteness. Supreme Bliss, Peace and eternal completeness are truly possible! Your true Self can unquestionably be realized in this lifetime, if you follow what is shared in here. 25 Non-dual practices will be given that point directly toward your true nature, helping you to experientially recognize and abide as deathless Consciousness that you are, effortlessly. The Parvastha of Kriya Yoga, the Presence of Being, the Background of Awareness, the "I Am." It's not a mere philosophy-it's the bridge toward true and perpetual Freedom. This guide will make it accessible, direct, and practical. You have been searching for something beyond yourself, beyond the mundane life, beyond the plastic flowers of human existence. Yet, every time you seem to be closing in on the Truth, something has gotten in the way. Despite many meditations, spiritual practices, pilgrimages, mystical experiences, and so on, you see yourself sidetracking from your spiritual journey, over and over again. It is as if it were stronger than you. It's not your fault though... it's the false self, posing as the real Self that prevents you from reaching the highest potential of human existence. Its name: Ego. By showing you how the ego works behind the scenes, and leads you to live a life of discontentment and incompleteness, you will finally wake up to your true purpose of attaining Freedom, going beyond Kundalini, Kriya Yoga & all Spirituality into awakening Non-Duality. For a long time you've been invested in your current way of living, afraid of climbing the ultimate step into the unknown, bound by the ego's illusions. As long as you keep investing in your current way of living, you will not climb the ultimate step into the unknown. Recognizing the "I-ego," dissolving it and living without it, is truly being enlightened. Are you ready to dive into this unknown? *This book can be read as a standalone, or in conjunction with the previous three books