Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali: The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali (How to Know God) Paperback – 1 Sept. 1996

I have read this book over and over again. Although there are many commentaries on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali this one is perhaps the best for anyone who originally comes from a Christian background and practises yoga. It might even rekindle your faith. Looking at the faith you are brought up in from a different angle is often quite enlightening and it is worth reading deep Christian literature as much of what is said there is very much along the same lines as the sutras but perhaps not expressed quite so succinctly! Christopher Isherwood gives a deep insight into how the practice of yoga can aid a spiritual aspirant to purify body and mind in order to pursue the spiritual journey and it is fascinating how the commentary refers to the Catholic tradition and draws parallels. The commentary provides guidance on stilling and controlling the mind in order to roll back the veil of illusion and discover the Kingdom of God within ourselves. This book stimulated me to a spiritual search which I might not otherwise have undertaken. Ever grateful to my yoga tutor for recommending this particular commentary. I am now more convinced that yoga is a universal set of tools for the spiritual journey in any tradition. Vedanta appears to be the key.

Patanjali was a Hindu master who lived sometime between BC400 and 400AD. This 1953 translation is by the Californian Vedantist, Swami Prabhavananda, and Christopher Isherwood - well after saying goodbye to Berlin! There is a superb commentary, which is the purpose of the book.The book is a treatise on Yoga, divided into aims, practice, powers and liberation. The Swami has a deep understanding of Catholicism (read also his Sermon on the Mount according to Vedanta) and his commentary is spot on for westerners. He explains mind control, purification, non-attachment and the art of meditation and contemplation. There is nothing that would offend Christians and any attempt to use the physical powers of Yoga is discouraged. Read the work, pick a few Christian images, concentrate and remove all the cloying stains of Maya, the illusory world of space and time. This should be obligatory reading in school religious courses; it cannot help but transform your outlook on life.Of course the depth of spiritual achievement depends on the time available for meditation and contemplation, but even a small amount of time each day devoted to study of the book brings benefit, and one can take on trust the Swami's beautifully clear statements about those things that only the monk has time to discover.

This is an excellent translation and commentary on the yoga sutras of Patanjali. Very clear explanations of philosophies and practices which are essential to the student of yoga. Clear print and layout. This paperback version is a faithful reproduction of the content of the original hardback, though I have to say I preferred the hardback format.

This book is beautiful in tying Patanjali's classic with modern commentary. The latter includes expositions and explication of the theosophical Hindu background, drawn from the Vedas, the Gita, Sankhya and even Buddhism. It also includes metaphors, anecdotes and practical examples while also explaining differences between various strands and in reference to christian script and practice too. If you have delved in Hinduism, Buddhism, Yoga, meditation and so forth, this is a must. You get to the core of what Yoga is all about and how to achieve it.

This explains the process of Patanjali Yoga well though I was trying to find an old book I practiced with many years ago which was authored by 2 people whom I think were Dr Elizabeth Haitch and Iyengar but I cannot be certain of this and that was an amazing book which took me to a far greater level starting on concentrating and meditating on an apple!

I have been reading lots of different books on Patanjali's 8 limbs of Yoga and this book is the most accessible and inspiring. Christopher Isherwood is not only helping me understand my yoga practice but also the twists and turns of my faith journey. Refreshing to read something that is inclusive rather than saying 'this is the way. Follow this'.

Best book about religion that I have read so far as it has a way of connecting with the audience and really gets into teaching techniques to remain balanced and connected with God. Some holy books are sometimes quite tricky to interpret and techniques and teachings and general application of the teachings and principles are often lacking. This book helps bridge the gap. The buddhist eight fold path is also a good read on this note. Highly recommended.

There are many different translations of the Aphorisms and an equal number of approaches to them, this one is particularly clear and very readable whether one is interested in the Samkhya Philosophy from which it stems or Yoga in the more general sense.

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Le commentaire ici présenté donne un premier point de vue simple, et issu d'un véritable maître. On saisit combien l'auteur pénètre l'enseignement. Le défaut de ce livre tient à de possibles erreurs d'interprétation que l'on corrigera éventuellement par la lecture de "la voie et ses pièges" de Arnaud Desjardins.

1. Best book on spiritual growth via Yoga philosophy that I have ever read, by far, out of many dozens. I would give it 20 stars if I could. This book is spot on. Brief, to the point, and powerful. No new Age fru fru stuff in here - this is for someone who really wants to start a disciplined spiritual practice that really will lead them somewhere. Amazing. There are many commentaries on the Yoga Sutras that are extremely tedious and long winded. Esp. the ones by Patabi Jois and B.K. Iyengar. Yuck! No wonder so few of their students bother to study Patanjali in depth, lol. THIS commentary is the exact opposite. Easy to read and not at all academic.2. Those of you who still think putting your foot behind your head and holding perfect mula banda makes you an advanced Yogi need to read this book. Yoga has little to do with postures, and Patanjali, the patron saint of Yoga, makes that clear. Patanjali is to Yoga what Lao Tsu is to Taoism. There are only two references to asanas in the entire body of sutras (186 of them) and both of those refer only to a sitting position. Asanas are great, I do them too, but there are many Yogis in India who do none at all; most of the members of the 10 branches of Shankara's ancient monastic order, for example. These are truly the torch bearers of the Yoga tradition, and a several of them are friends of mine from from my many trips there. They are remarkable men (and women!) and I hope to slowly become more like them. This book explains the basics of their philosophy.3. In India, this book is sold by the Ramakrishna Math as "Patanjali Yoga Sutras" by Swami Prabhavananda, and then it mentions Christopher Isherwood as a co-author. So its unclear to me who actually wrote the commentary. If you happen to be going to India, you can probably find it in any of the Ramakrishna Maths scattered over the country.

Great book with good translators. Worthwhile addition to your library.