The Patanjali Yoga Sutras and Its Spiritual Practice

Book excerpt: When people see the word yoga, many think only of poses, meditations, and chants. They do not understand the philosophical set of beliefs on which it is based. In The Patanjali Sutra and Its Spiritual Practice, author Tony Nguyen broadens the understanding to create a more complete experience. Nguyen focuses on the philosophy of Maharishi Patanjali, the great expounder of the authoritative classical yoga school of thought, or darsana, of Hinduism and the author of the Yoga Sutras. Nguyen also responds to the relationship between theory and practice in the classical yoga system. The Patanjali Sutra and Its Spiritual Practicediscusses: the basic philosophical view of Patanjalis Yoga Sutras, focusing on explanation and interpretation of the relationship between purusa and prakrti; the samkhya and yoga systems, which are related to Patanjalis yoga doctrines and the similarities and differences between them; and spiritual practice. Nguyen offers a host of information to help practitioners enhance their spiritual journey through yoga.