ABSTRACT

The popular perception of yoga in the West remains for the most part that of a physical fitness program, largely divorced from its historical and spiritual roots. The essays collected here provide a sense of the historical emergence of the classical system presented by Patañjali, a careful examination of the key elements, overall character and contemporary relevance of that system (as found in the Yoga Sutra) and a glimpse of some of the tradition's many important ramifications in later Indian religious history.

chapter |10 pages

INTRODUCTION

part |2 pages

Part I CLASSICAL FOUNDATIONS

chapter 1|12 pages

YOGA IN THE MAHÅBHÅRATA

chapter 2|26 pages

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

The role of practice (abhyåsa) in Påtañjala yoga

chapter 4|13 pages

Dueling with dualism: revisioning the paradox of puru‚a and prakr.ti

Revisioning the paradox of puru‚a and prakr

chapter 5|14 pages

YOGA AND THE LUMINOUS

part |2 pages

Part II THE EXPANDING TRADITION