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Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful reading! Thoroughly recommended!
Review: "...without a firm understanding of ourselves---who we are, how we relate to the world and why we do the things we do---we cannot possibly live life to its fullest." Thus begins John McAfee's spiritual revelation, The Secret of the Yamas. Here is a masterful look at self-discovery and self-awareness from a practice that originated at least 2500 years ago.Many people think of yoga as a technique to gain physical strength, flexibility and better health (asanas). However, Patanjali, who first documented the organized science of yoga 2500 years ago, wrote, "The union of the various parts of the mind is gained through control of the mind, and then the perceiver comes to consciousness of himself." And so, The Secret of the Yamas helps teach the aspect of yoga that increases our understanding of ourselves, our relationships and our actions. While most people are familiar with the first limb of yoga, asanas (postures), it is the second limb (yamas) that deals with behavior: guidelines about non-violence, non-stealing, chastity, absence of greed and truthfulness. Mr. McAfee points out that it is relatively easy to pretend about or imitate these positive characteristics. However, the beauty of The Secret of Yamas is learning the wisdom to understand Patanjali's true significance of these conditions of behavior. Author and seeker John McAfee is the founder of the Relational Yoga Mandarim in Woodland Park, Colorado. He has taught self-discovery techniques for over 15 years. This has enabled him to not only understand and live yoga in its entirety, but to offer us a clear, concise and (surely) effective guide to life. In this reviewer's opinion, The Secret of the Yamas is a must-read for everyone seeking self-discovery---everyone!
Rating:
Summary: A beatiful little book
Review: A concise, clear and revolutionary approach to the Yamas. Rather than focusing on how to carry out and master each of the Yamas, McAfee reaches down to the root of the subject and and shows us that, for example, before we can achieve non-violence, we must first understand the reality of our own violence and come to terms with it. This little book contains a wealth of wisdom about the human condition, and is an unvarnished pointer to the source of problems - ourselves. Everyone, not just yoga students, should have this book, and re-read it frequently.
Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: Like "Into the Heart of Truth", this book incinerated me. All that was left was the truth of me. I don't know how he does it, but somehow reality blossoms in his words. If you only read one book in your lifetime, this should be the one.
Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: Like "Into the Heart of Truth", this book incinerated me. All that was left was the truth of me. I don't know how he does it, but somehow reality blossoms in his words. If you only read one book in your lifetime, this should be the one.
Rating:
Summary: A Secret Worth Sharing
Review: Short, insightful, precise, and respectful -- this book is a joy to read and read again. Mr. McAfee touches the heart of the matter. His sincere, clear presentation gives one pause. Each yama is explored in turn. At each turn, Mr. McAfee sheds light on causes of inconsistencies and incongruities in ones practice. As a guide book, it succeeds in pointing a direction. I highly recommend this book in general, not just for yoga students.
Rating:
Summary: Superb Reference
Review: This book deals with one of the 8 'limbs' of yoga compiled by Patanjali Maharishi about 2500 years ago. Postures, or asanas, another of the 8 limbs, are what most people think yoga is exclusively, but they are only are fraction of the fascinating system of yoga. Yamas, or restraints, are 5 moral injunctions whose intent it is to prepare the practitioner for spiritual growth by eliminating negative human behaviors. The 5 Yamas are:
1) Non-violence
2) Non-stealing
3) Chastity
4) Non-attachment
5) Truthfulness Other references that I have read based on these Yamas stress the need for massive discipline if not outright repression. The author of this book, however, challenges the reader to think critically instead of forcing himself to blindly conform to the literal translation of the ancient text. But he doesn't kick you out the door and say 'think for yourself and good luck'. He gives direction and encouragement. He challenges the readers to ask the right questions. He reminds us that life should feel spontaneous and free, not shackled by self-imposed rigid rules. This book is in very inexpensive and a quick read, but it is surprisingly powerful and packed with genuine wisdom. The author is obviously an experienced man who has made enough mistakes to be compassionate and enough successes to speak as a gifted teacher. I wish I had this book 15 years ago when I struggled unsuccessfully with my own self-discipline.
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