Rating: Summary: Practical,humorous, guidance from an enlightened teacher Review: I am not a 'follower' of Swami Satchidananda. I have previously studied Indian philosophy from an academic view. That is not the audience for this book. I personally have only tried to make Indian philosophy part of my life when outside sufferings force me to. This is a book for that! Swami Satchidananda's whole style is warm, straightforward and very modern. He never compromises the truth of the teachings, but his tone is beautifully supportive and gentle. If your desire is to try to understand the truth of the Yoga Sutras in your current life situation then I can't imagine a better book.
Rating: Summary: Practical,humorous, guidance from an enlightened teacher Review: I am not a 'follower' of Swami Satchidananda. I have previously studied Indian philosophy from an academic view. That is not the audience for this book. I personally have only tried to make Indian philosophy part of my life when outside sufferings force me to. This is a book for that! Swami Satchidananda's whole style is warm, straightforward and very modern. He never compromises the truth of the teachings, but his tone is beautifully supportive and gentle. If your desire is to try to understand the truth of the Yoga Sutras in your current life situation then I can't imagine a better book.
Rating: Summary: Context - Walking the Talk Review: I believe that any review of this work should be taken in context with the life that the author has lead, in living such a program day to day. One must practice what you preach. In fact, there is a large disconnect between the teachings of Satchidananda and his practices. I would urge all to read demiurge's review, as listed
Rating: Summary: Much knowledge and wisdom Review: I gained much from this book. A great book for those who are gaining an interest in yoga as a whole. The author is a monk who has devoted his life to God and it shows through in his writing. Each sutra is written in Sanskrit, then proper pronunciation, then translated in English and then given commentary by Satchidananda. Sometimes he seems to go on tangents and forgets about the Sutra at hand, yet even in those tangents, much is learned. This book will take beginners to the next level of discipline and practice; an extremely useful reference for experienced practitoners. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: Summary: *ad hominem* argumentation/attack doesn't belong here! Review: I question why it is that Amazon allows the so-called "reviews" by "A Reader from Japan" and by "Sarah Ostrinsky from New York, NY USA" to remain on this page. Neither person has indicated, intimated, or even suggested by inference that he/she has *read* the book! ... and neither has said ANYTHING about the book.I'm not seeking reviews of the author's conjectured life style, and I doubt whether most other readers here are, either. There are other places for folks to spout off about their opinions regarding rumored hearsay gossip. It doesn't belong here! SHAME ON AMAZON for allowing these NON-reviewers' comments to remain here, and for allowing their one-star ratings to influence this book's overall rating. Furthermore, the two above-noted reviews violate several tenets of Amazon's "review guidelines" [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0932040381/customer-review-guidelines/], about which violations Amazon claims that "[a]ny review in violation of these guidelines will not be posted." I wish Amazon would be more careful regarding what they filter out and what they let stand in these reviews sections. Understaffed? Amazon, are you hiring?
Rating: Summary: Delve Deep! Review: If you don't read Sanskrit, this is the translation of the Yoga Sutras to use. Swami Satchidananda, founder of Yogaville in Virginia, has translated and provided commentary on one of the most basic texts of Raja Yoga. Each reading of each and every sutra invites the serious student to delve deep and deeper into him/herself and discover the truth. Highly recommend!
Rating: Summary: Delve Deep! Review: If you don't read Sanskrit, this is the translation of the Yoga Sutras to use. Swami Satchidananda, founder of Yogaville in Virginia, has translated and provided commentary on one of the most basic texts of Raja Yoga. Each reading of each and every sutra invites the serious student to delve deep and deeper into him/herself and discover the truth. Highly recommend!
Rating: Summary: yoga for eternal bliss Review: PATANJALI YOG SUTRA IS A SCIENCE ON YOGA AND PERFECT VISION OF SAGE PATANJALI MORE THAN 2000 YEARS AGO. This book is worth reading for serious students of Yoga a clear idea is given regarding fundamental teachings of Yoga in simple language.
Rating: Summary: A Trustworthy Translation Review: Satchidananda presents a warm hearted translation of this classic. It is saturated with the kindness, compassion,warmth, touching sense of humor, and open mind that define the truly spiritual. He draws from all religions, not seeing any one as better than the others; as is the case with all masters from every tradition, Satchidananda sees that "the paths are many, but Truth is one." He makes a good representative of Yoga and True Religion in general. I can't believe that no one else has reviewed this book already.
Rating: Summary: Extremely well done but still leaves questions Review: Swami Satchidananda's book on the Sutras is one of the best for digging into the background and foundations of the Sutras, and his commentary, unlike Iyengar's and most other eastern commentaries, is clear, simple and easy to understand. Yet I finished the book still feeling that I did not fully grasp it. Swami Satchidananda is clearly in touch with the truth that he is illuminating with this book, and it's also clear from the powerful tone of authority with which he writes that he has reached the state of awaking which is the end purpose of the Sutras, but it seems too immersed in the history and culture of Hinduism to be fully appreciated and grasped by a westerm mind conditioned by concepts, ideas and images that are vastly different from the eastern traditions. So the book does not have a deep and profound illuminating impact as has McAfee's book on the sutras - "Beyond the Siddhis". But it is rich in historical information and its tone is true to the purpose of the Sutras. I would recommend it for for all aspiring yogis.
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