The Deeper Dimension of Yoga: Theory and Practice

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Shambhala Publications, Jul 8, 2003 - Health & Fitness - 432 pages
An in-depth primer on the history, philosophy, spirituality, and current practices of yoga, from a respected scholar and longtime yoga practitioner
 
Here is a comprehensive survey of the full breadth and depth of the 5,000-year-old Yoga tradition, emphasizing its potent philosophy and spiritual vision. Georg Feuerstein demonstrates that Yoga is much more than a system of physical exercises—it is a profound path of self-transformation that encompasses a range of teachings, practices, and sacred texts that can help us cultivate wisdom, balance, and inner freedom, as well as physical health.

Feuerstein is one of the few Western scholar-teachers of Yoga whose writing and teaching penetrate the full richness and depth of this ancient tradition. Here he offers a collection of essays touching on all facets of the discipline.

Topics include:

• The different branches and styles of Yoga
• The ethical teachings of Yoga
• Yoga and vegetarianism
• Meditation and mantras
• Choosing a teacher
• Tantric Yoga
• The experience of ecstasy
 

Contents

Yoga and Vegetarianism
207
The Practice of EcoYoga
210
Overcoming Greed
215
Authenticity Integrity Unity
218
The Power of Truth
220
Compassion
223
Ethical Guidelines for Yoga Teachers
226
he pectrum of oga ractice
229

The Yoga of Science
30
Traditional Definitions of Yoga
31
Yoga in Hinduism Buddhism and Jainism
32
Forty Types of Hindu Yoga
36
The Tree of Hindu Yoga
39
Styles of HathaYoga
53
Crossing the Boundary between Hinduism and Buddhism via TantraYoga
59
Vajrayâna Buddhist Yoga
60
Introducing the Great Literary Heritage of Hindu Yoga
64
Yoga Symbolism
77
pproaching ractice
83
Approaching Spiritual Practice
85
The Twelve Steps of Spiritual Recovery
89
Happiness WellBeing and Reality
95
The Quest for Happiness
101
Spiritual Discipline
104
Life Is an Earthquake
107
Samsâra Means Running Around in Circles
110
Spiritual Friendship
113
Dispeller of Darkness
116
Broadcasting Reality
118
Understanding the Guru
127
Holy Madness
132
Grace Has a Place in Yoga
141
Tapas or Voluntary SelfChange
143
The Art of Purification
146
Obstacles on the Path According to Patanjali
155
In Praise of Study
164
The Practice of Mauna
166
Die While You Live and LastHour Yoga
170
Living in the Dark Age KaliYuga
177
Yoga and Terrorism
185
oral oundations
195
Yoga Begins and Ends with Virtuous Action
197
Is Nonharming Ahimsâ an OldFashioned Value?
200
Nonharming According to Jaina Yoga
204
Âsanas for the Body and the Mind
231
ShavaÂsana or Corpse Posture
235
The Breath of Life
238
Cultivating Wisdom
240
BuddhiYoga
243
The Path of Wisdom
248
That Art ThouThe Essence of Nondualist Yoga
257
Discernment and SelfTranscendence
262
The Way of SelfTranscending Action
267
Worship Me with Love
270
Degrees of Love
276
The KriyâYoga of Patanjali
279
A New Look at the Eightfold Path
287
Sounding Out the Depth Within
297
The GâyatrîMantra
300
The Sacred Syllable Om
304
Gestures of Wholeness
315
Seeing the Light
317
Divine Geometry
323
What Is Tantra?
329
Sex Asceticism and Mythology
332
igher tages of ractice
339
Pathways to Relaxation and Meditation
341
What Is Meditation?
346
Prayer in Yoga
355
The Ecstatic State
357
The Serpent Power and Spiritual Life
362
Who or What Is the Self in SelfRealization?
365
Emptiness
368
Liberation
372
Notes
377
Key Sanskrit Terms of Hindu Yoga
387
Index
399
About the Author
416
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About the author (2003)

Georg Feuerstein, PhD, (1947–2012) is internationally respected for his work on Yoga and is the author of over fifty books. He designed and taught several distance-learning courses on Yoga philosophy for Traditional Yoga Studies. For more information, go to www.traditionalyogastudies.com.

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