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| |  | Religion & Spirituality | Home » » » The Essential Yoga Sutra: Ancient Wisdom for Your Yoga | | | | | | | Description: | | The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a classic Sanskrit treatise consisting of 195 “threads,” or aphorisms, describing the process of liberation through yoga. Although little is known about Patanjali (most scholars estimate that he lived in India circa 200–300 b.c.), his writings have long been recognized as a vital contribution to the philosophy and practice of yoga. This new, expert translation of the original Sanskrit text of Patanjali’s best-known work presents his seminal ideas and methods in accessible, plain-language English.
Patanjali organized the sutra into four parts: Samadhi (absorption), Sadhana (practice), Vibhuti (supernatural powers), and Kaivalya (liberation). Each represents a step in breaking free of our limited definition of consciousness and training the mind to achieve oneness with the universe. Geshe Michael Roach, one of the most respected teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in America and a renowned scholar of Sanskrit, provides authoritative commentary on each of the sutras. His notes and clarification are straightforward and highly readable, untainted by obscure, academic terminology or New Age jargon. The first edition of the Yoga Sutra to present a Buddhist perspective, this paperback original will be welcomed by students and spiritual seekers alike. | | | Features: | |
• ISBN13: 9780385515368
• Condition: New
• Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Geshe Michael Roach | | Paperback:
| 144 pages | | Publisher:
| Three Rivers Press | | Publication Date:
| December 27, 2005 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0385515367 | | Product Length:
| 5.49 inches | | Product Width:
| 0.46 inches | | Product Height:
| 8.06 inches | | Product Weight:
| 0.31 pounds | | Package Length:
| 8.1 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.4 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.4 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 11 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 11 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 22 found the following review helpful:
 Clear, Consise, UnbiasedSep 18, 2008
By Eric Brinkman
"nyingpo"
So this is one of my favorite books in the world--I've taught in yoga centers around the world, and when I give lectures I base them on what's in this book. it's clear (doesn't use technical language), consise (it mainly consists of only 108 pages), and can serve as an excellent introduction to the yoga sutra for people who have been practicing yoga asana for years without ever encountering the Yoga Sutra, the most important book ever written on yoga.
As I feel this is a really important book written at a very important time (20 million yoga practitioners in the US alone can't be wrong :-), I also want to address a few of the criticisms I read in some of the other reviews. Given, this is a short book, so sometimes the ideas or concepts it explains need to be studied further to be fully understood, but it is meant to be an introduction, as the title "Essential" indicates--it is not meant to be a treatise on every aspect of the Yoga Sutra.
That said, I think it is especially unfair to criticize it for not being based on Vedantic philosophy. Claiming that this book is wrong, or misleading, because it's based on Buddhist rather than Vedantic philosophy is the same as a Catholic saying Protestants can't interpret the Bible. The same thing. I think most of us have gone past that kind of argument.
When I recommend this book I tell students to set it by their bed and just before they go to sleep, pick it up and read a page or two to think about something inspiring and uplifting before you go to sleep. Try it, I think you will find it worth your while.
46 of 59 found the following review helpful:
 Dumbing Down the SublimeJun 08, 2006
By Sravaniya D. Pecoraro
An unsolicited copy of this book arrived in the mail sent by a business organizer for Geshe Michael Roach, apparently timed to arrive just before his scheduled appearance - along with his `spiritual partner' Christie McNally - here in Hong Kong. This is clever, not to say even aggressive, marketing. However, Roach's training is in Buddhism, a non-Vedic doctrine, and the Yoga Sutra is one of the six Vedic philosophical schools of India. In this book there are specific instances wherein it is clear that Roach does not understand the principles he is supposedly explaining, and builds certain of his arguments on assumptions in the category of vikalpa (misconception). Beginning students, who seem to be the target audience, are not likely to notice these discrepancies, and I find this unfair and even dangerous for them.
Having studied authentic Sanskrit texts under a guru in a proper lineage and practiced yoga for nearly four decades myself, I would suggest to readers that where one gets spiritual information is as important as what one reads. For many of us, Roach is too controversial to be seen as a reliable reference. Despite his accolades and scholarship, his sophistries seem sentimental and wishy washy, not likely to ignite the fire of tapasya (ardor and austerity) in anyone, although good points do glimmer occasionally through the haze. Those who are content to skim the surface of the ultimate human achievement without any expectation of attaining the real thing have found the perfect user friendly but unfortunately pirated version here.
14 of 18 found the following review helpful:
Don't be fooled by the simple styleAug 17, 2006
By Muir, Alexander
Its easy to be fooled by the simple, straightforward language of this translation. It uses everyday examples to illustrate the principles. But humming beneath the surface is a profound current of authentic metaphysics.
They seem to deliberately steer clear of overly religious ways of presenting the material, so that anyone can read it - you dont have to be a card-carrying Hindu etc.
I've read their other books on yoga (How Yoga Works, The Tibetan Book of Yoga) and heard some of their talks, and in my opinion this book is a successful distillation of the practical wisdom of yoga. If you want a more detailed work, try one of their other books, mentioned above.
Most importantly, it is easy to get into a whole trip and get confused with the externals - for me this book helps me focus on the most important things: how taking care of other people is the very fuel for a successful yoga practice.
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Precise, straightforward writing for modern livingAug 01, 2008
By A. M. Adams
"lunaukiah"
This book is wonderfully written with easy to relate to examples. I also love the size of the book as it isn't too large or thick. It's easy to carry with you and great to read before bed. This book is written in a very straightforward manner that makes these sutras easier to understand and translate into your own life. It's exactly what I had hoped for in a copy of the Yoga Sutras.
4 of 5 found the following review helpful:
the next step at the right heightFeb 14, 2009
By Gail
"Gail"
After learning some basics about how yoga works How Yoga Works, this is the perfect next step to deeper understanding. Each idea is on one page, so it is possible to absorb it on its own and then take time to practice and to connect it to the rest. The writing is clear and contemporary, bright and still the authentic teaching of the Master Yogi.
See all 11 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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