Synopses & Reviews
In just 196 short, pithy aphorisms, this classic of Indian philosophy spells out succinctly what happens to the mind during meditation -- and shows how to use the mind to attain liberation. The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali is a road map of consciousness, particularly of the states one encounters in meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices. A collection of short texts written in India in the second or third century CE, it expresses truths about the human condition with great eloquence: how we know what we know, why we suffer, and how we can discover the way out of suffering.
The form of yoga practiced in third-century India bears little resemblance to the yoga with which most people are familiar today -- the hatha yoga consisting of sequences of poses. The word yoga as used by Patanjali means simply "yoke" or discipline -- the discipline needed to work toward liberation. Chip Hartranft's fresh translation and commentary rescues the text from its identification with hatha yoga, and makes it beautifully accessible to people following any path of meditation practice.
In addition to the extensive, lucid commentary, the translator provides a fascinating history of the Yoga-Sutra, as well as an essay on Patanjali's legacy over the past 2,000 years, making this volume unique among Yoga-Sutra commentaries both in its scope and broad accessibility.
Synopsis
A classic work of Indian philosophy that succinctly spells out how the mind works and what is needed to attain liberation Compiled in the second or third century CE, the Yoga-Sutra is a road map of human consciousness--and a particularly helpful guide to the mind states one encounters in meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices. It expresses the truths of the human condition with great eloquence: how we know what we know, why we suffer, and how we can discover the way out of suffering.
Chip Hartranft's fresh translation and extensive, lucid commentary bring the text beautifully to life. He also provides useful auxiliary materials, including an afterword on the legacy of the Yoga-Sutra and its relevance for us today.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 135-137) and index.
Synopsis
In just 196 short aphorisms, this classic work of Indian philosophy spells out succinctly how the mind works, and how it is possible to use the mind to attain liberation. Compiled in the second or third century CE, the Yoga-Sutra is a road map of human consciousness—and a particularly helpful guide to the mind states one encounters in meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices. It expresses the truths of the human condition with great eloquence: how we know what we know, why we suffer, and how we can discover the way out of suffering. Chip Hartranft's fresh translation and extensive, lucid commentary bring the text beautifully to life. He also provides useful auxiliary materials, including an afterword on the legacy of the Yoga-Sutra and its relevance for us today.