An Introduction to the Yogasutra

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The Yoga Sutras are a practical textbook to guide your spiritual journey of remembering who you really are. Here are some important takeaways that every Yogi should know. The true meaning of Yoga is the union of body, mind, soul, and spirit. According to Yoga, we suffer because of the illusion of separation between our individual consciousness from Universal Consciousness or Brahman. The Yoga Sutras are a practical to guide your spiritual journey of remembering that union. The Yoga Sutras were composed by a man named Patanjali. There is not much known about him, except that he was presumably Indian and lived somewhere between the second and fourth century BC. This latest book elucidates philosophical conceptions of yoga, recognises the logical structure the sutras follow and explains the rules and principles that have sustained Patanjali's system of thought for centuries. The book introduces his reasoned positions on dual and non-dual metaphysics, the relationship between mind and body, the qualities of consciousness, the nature of freedom, and how to live ethically. Carefully-selected extracts from the primary text are translated for those unfamiliar with Sanskrit and commentaries run throughout. The book's thematic presentation of the philosophy of the Patanjalayogasastra should help even those who are untrained in Indian philosophy grasp it.

Dipankar Chandra, a distinguished author and esteemed scholar in the field of yoga. With a strong educational background in the field of yoga and extensive experience as a practitioner, teacher, and researcher, Dipankar Chandra has acquired a wealth of knowledge and insights. As a prominent figure in the field, Dipankar Chandra has participated in numerous seminars and conferences, where he has shared his research findings and engaged in stimulating discussions with fellow scholars and yoga enthusiasts. His research contributions have been published in reputable journals and publications, further establishing his expertise and influence in the realm of yoga. Dipankar Chandra's dedication to promoting the profound benefits of yoga, his exceptional research contributions, and his commitment to the advancement of yoga scholarship have garnered recognition and respect from his peers and the broader yoga community.

The Yoga Sutras are a practical textbook to guide your spiritual journey of remembering who y o you really are. Here are some important takeaways that every Yogi should know. The true meaning of Yoga is the union of body, mind, soul, and spirit. According to Yoga, we suffer because of the illusion of separation between our individual consciousness from Universal Consciousness or Brahman. The Yoga Sutras are a practical to guide your spiritual journey of remembering that union. The Yoga Sutras were composed by a man named Patanjali. There is not much known about him, except that he was presumably Indian and lived somewhere between the second and fourth century BC. Mythologically, Vishnu the maintainer of the Universe, sleeps between creations, resting on the great multi-headed serpent Anantha, floating on the Ocean of Consciousness. When Shiva Nataraj woke Vishnu with his dance of creation, Anantha asked to be born as a great teacher. Shiva granted his wish and he was born as Patanjali in the palm of the great Yogini, Gonika. In ancient times, most teaching was done orally and students learned by way of sutras. The word sutra comes from the same root as the medical term suture, meaning to connect or hold together. When the teacher expounded on a piece of knowledge, the student would be given a short phrase that would later remind him/ her of the greater body of material. This was somewhat the equivalent of modern-day cue cards.

The challenge now is that, even knowing the sutras, you can never be certain as to the greater meaning. A further story says that Patanjali himself wrote down the sutras on palm leaves but a goat ate half of them before he took the remainder to the Himalayas. Perhaps this is the origin of modern day "goat yoga." Sankhya is one of the ancient Indian systems of philosophy. It teaches that knowledge is the path to enlightenment. Patanjali's great gift to the world was that he took this profound-and yet, purely intellectual-philosophy and presented it in a form that the average spiritual seeker could follow and use.

**Contents and Sample Pages**