A contemporary interpretation of the foundational text for the practice of yoga. Patañjali’s Yoga Sutra (second century CE) is the basic text of one of the nine canonical schools of Indian philosophy. In it the legendary author lays down the blueprint for success in yoga; now practised the world over. Patañjali draws upon many ideas of his time; and the result is a unique work of Indian moral philosophy that has been the foundational text for the practice of yoga since. The Yoga Sutra sets out a sophisticated theory of moral psychology and perhaps the oldest theory of psychoanalysis. For Patañjali; present mental maladies are a function of subconscious tendencies formed in reaction to past experiences. He argues that people are not powerless against such forces and that they can radically alter their lives through yoga—a process of moral transformation and perfection; which brings the body and mind of a person in line with their true nature. Accompanying this illuminating translation is an extended introduction that explains the challenges of accurately translating Indian philosophical texts; locates the historical antecedents of Patañjali’s text and situates Patanjali’s philosophy within the history of scholastic Indian philosophy.

‘Yoga, Yog-Sutras and Gita’ is not a systematic commentary on these great Indian scriptures. It is a collection of scattered writings or interpretations of these subjects by Swami Dakshinamurti. He considered Yoga, Yog-Sutras and Gita as the source of all spiritual wisdom in its most condensed form, which was relevant to his own spiritual growth and to all those who are on this path. Spontaneous living, renunciation and detachment are the key points in his spiritual philosophy, for which he drew inspiration from these powerful texts. He explains how we can use the wisdom contained in these texts for our spiritual growth.

This simple introduction to both the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras is a gentle way to ease into these ancient texts. Crafted for use in Hatha Yoga studios, teacher training programs and experiential classroom venues, students will find the language of the book friendly and engaging while teachers will find a rich offering of dialogue-encouraging questions and activities to enrich the learning experience. Enlivened by original poetic commentaries and fleshed out with real world applications of these teachings, Easing into the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras provides an excellent starting point for the study of Indian philosophy. Kim holds a master's degree in comparative religion and has been a meditation, qigong and yoga instructor for twenty years. Her other non-fiction books include: A Little Book of Wholeness and Prayer: an eight week meditation companion and At Matthew's Knee: A poetic commentary on the Gospel of Matthew.

Joshua M. Greene has taken one of the most venerable and revered texts of all times -The Bhagavad Gita, and presents it in a completely new way. Greene reveals that the GIta, which can easily be obtuse to the modern reader, is really a simple conversation between two friends about the meaning of life. This fresh new view helps the 21st century seeker relate to the Gita and offers new ways of understanding this essential wisdom. The Gita is a discussion between Krishna and his devoted friend Arjuna on a battlefield known as Kurukshetra, a sprawling tract of land two hours north of Delhi, India. Scriptural calculations put the date of this famous discussion at around 3000 BCE. Like all great literature the Gita explores the human condition: who we are, where we come from, and why we are here. And as with all great literature, the more we study the main characters the more real and human they become. From related works we learn that Krishna and Arjuna played together as children. They were close friends in youth and became family when Arjuna married Krishna’s sister. We learn that later in life they shared extraordinary adventures, including a journey through subtle pathways to places outside the known universe. Plainly put, India’s most revered scripture is a heart-to-heart talk between two men who were closer than brothers and were the best of friends. Above all, The Sacred Conversation is practical and features a very helpful glossary in the back for terms, names, and places. Whether you are an expert on The Bhagavad Gita or a first-time reader, this unique contribtion to spiritual literature offers deep knowledge in a highly accessible way.

Yoga is over 5,500 years old, making it the oldest known spiritual practice. Millions of people around the world now practice it, often to lose weight or tone their bodies. Although yoga is effective at this, it is in fact a spiritual discipline of which the 'exercises' are only one part; its ultimate goal is to unify body and mind and bring us to a state of ultimate peace. This book explains the philosophy and teachings behind yoga in a fresh and accessible way, and also includes clear and poetic translations of the key yoga scriptures: the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. These ancient texts contain instructions for the philosophy, method and practice of yoga and are guides to inner wisdom. Whether you are a beginner at Yoga, an experienced practitioner, a teacher or in teacher training, this book will enable you to add new depth and meaning to your current practice, accessing the full potential and power of Yoga to transform your life.

Dating from about the third century A.D., the Yoga Sutra distills the essence of the physical and spiritual discipline of yoga into fewer than two hundred brief aphorisms. It is the core text for any study of meditative practice, revered for centuries for its brilliant analysis of mental states and of the process by which inner liberation is achieved. Yet its difficulties are legendary, and until now, no translation has made it fully accessible. This new translation, hailed by Yoga Journal for its "unsurpassed readability," is by one of the leading Sanskrit scholars of our time, whose Bhagavad Gita has become a recognized classic. It includes an introduction to the philosophy and psychology underlying the Yoga Sutra, the full text with explanatory commentary, and a glossary of key terms in Sanskrit and English.

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. The Sutras are presented here in the purest form, with the original Sanskrit and with translation, transliteration, and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, one of the most respected and revered contemporary Yoga masters. In this classic context, Sri Swamiji offers practical advice based on his own experience for mastering the mind and achieving physical, mental and emotional harmony.

This short course sets out a detailed study of the text, philosophy, and significance of the millennia-old yoga system defined in the Yogasutras. The popular practice of yoga finds its origin in one of the most venerated wisdom books of India: the Yogasutras. Comprised of 196 short statements on the essential teachings of yoga, Patanjali’s Yogasutras holds the position of being the seminal work that defines the yoga system. Over the centuries many important commentaries have been written that seek to explain and extrapolate the full meaning of the sutras, and to this day, the text continues to be appreciated for the profound wisdom contained within it. While the Yogasutras were originally written in Sanskrit, this short course offers an accessible translation and commentary without sacrificing any of its profound wisdom. This edition will allow the reader to study and dive into the meaning and philosophy of this ancient text with its significant contemporary relevance. Yoga students, practitioners, and scholars alike will appreciate the way in which this short course guides the reader through the text.

This pocket edition offers a convenient format for this ageless guide and companion to the student on the Yogic path. Includes the full text of this classic Yoga work, along with brief commentary from a revered master of Raja Yoga.