Much of what is known as yoga today emphasizes physical postures and exercises to increase flexibility and help relaxation. But in fact, yoga has its roots in centuries of rigorous investigation and research in the East to develop an understanding of human consciousness and its potential.
In Yoga, Osho explains the meaning of some of the most important Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an early "scientist of the soul" who is credited with being the father of Raja Yoga, or the "royal path" of yoga that uses physical postures and breath primarily as a means to achieve higher states of consciousness. With a fresh translation of these ancient texts, and unique Osho insights into the modern mind and its psychology, Patanjali comes to life on the pages with an approach to using yoga for greater self-understanding that is absolutely relevant to our times.
An invaluable resource for beginning or experienced yoga practitioners, and for anyone who seeks to better understand the intricate and powerful relationship that exists between body and mind
sjpetersen
Posted December 5, 2011
I really appreciated the approach that Osho took when writing this book. I have read multiple books on the philosophies of yoga, and I must say that this one in particular has been the most straight forward and truthful. A lot of people who write books about yoga approach it from a much more personal viewpoint. Osho took the approach of basing all that he had to say off of what the ancient gurus and yogis have had to say. I have also recently begun reading The Bhagavad Gita, one of the scriptures of the Hindu religion. The practice of yoga in mentioned frequently, and I have realized that the ideas and philosophies that Osho brings up are very similar to those mentioned in the Gita. This connection has brought it to my attention even more that Osho pooled his information from very reliable sources, and is in fact a very reliable source by himself.
The organization of the book really made for the ideas being presented to come across as clear and understandable. Osho organized the chapters to take the reader on a journey. He first explains how obtaining a proper state of meditation is all in your head, and that clearing your mind is solely the most important factor. He then goes on to talk about how to train you mind to go blank, and how to train yourself to meditate. In the final chapters of the book, he ties in these roots of yoga to the postures themselves. This approach differs so dramatically from most books on yoga, where the author simply explains certain postures and excercises. Osho instead dives right into the need to understand human consciousness before even beginning to think about yoga and the potential that it holds.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I feel that it is a great treat the find authors, artists, etc. that branch out of the norm, and instead of following what everyone else has to say they say something new. That is what makes great art, the ability for the artist to throw something new in the faces of its viewers that brings them closer to the reality that they are most likely denying. In Yoga, Osho does just that by explaining the deep and true roots of yoga to the modern reader.
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Overview
Much of what is known as yoga today emphasizes physical postures and exercises to increase flexibility and help relaxation. But in fact, yoga has its roots in centuries of rigorous investigation and research in the East to develop an understanding of human consciousness and its potential.
In Yoga, Osho explains the meaning of some of the most important Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an early "scientist of the soul" who is credited with being the father of Raja Yoga, or the "royal ...