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Rating: 
Summary: Ancient sutras for modern practice.
Review: "Focusing with perfect discipline on the heart," Patanjali observes in one of the 196 sutras collected here, "one understands the nature of consciousness" (pp. 53; 197). Written in Sanskrit nearly two thousand years ago, THE YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI addresses the central concerns of our existence: how we know what we know, why we suffer, and how we can experience happier, more meaningful lives through spiritual practice (pp. ix; 75). Based on his own experience integrating yoga with Buddhist practice, and through his fresh translation and insights into Patanjali's notoriously esoteric text, Chip Hartranft succeeds in showing us how these ancient sutras are relevant to modern spiritual practice. Of the translations of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras I've read, including translations by Iyengar (1993), Prasada (1988), and Swami Prabhavananda's HOW TO KNOW GOD (136)--all of which are excellent, because of its commentary, Hartranft's translation was the most rewarding.
G. Merritt
Rating:
Summary: Ancient sutras for modern practice.
Review: "Focusing with perfect discipline on the heart," Patanjali observes in one of the 196 sutras collected here, "one understands the nature of consciousness" (pp. 53; 197). Written in Sanskrit nearly two thousand years ago, THE YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI addresses the central concerns of our existence: how we know what we know, why we suffer, and how we can experience happier, more meaningful lives through spiritual practice (pp. ix; 75). Based on his own experience integrating yoga with Buddhist practice, and through his fresh translation and insights into Patanjali's notoriously esoteric text, Chip Hartranft succeeds in showing us how these ancient sutras are relevant to modern spiritual practice. Of the translations of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras I've read, including translations by Iyengar (1993), Prasada (1988), and Swami Prabhavananda's HOW TO KNOW GOD (136)--all of which are excellent, because of its commentary, Hartranft's translation was the most rewarding.
G. Merritt
Rating:
Summary: The yoke before Buddha
Review: Before Buddhism and before formal Hatha Yoga, Patanjali, presents this guide of consciousness. Perhaps it is based on early Vedic texts, but it is based on his direct experience also. 1800 years later Hartranft, presents this new translation that somehow breathes new life into the 196 aphorisms. His translation seeks to find a fluid way of expressing a line in English. In his commentary he explains some of the Sanskrit terms. He avoids going too deep into later Hatha Yoga, and avoids the highly philosophical discussion. Patanjali's aphorisms are about the "practice"; "Yogic activity has three components; discipline, self-study, and orientation toward the ideal of pure awareness".
Rating:
Summary: The yoke before Buddha
Review: Before Buddhism and before formal Hatha Yoga, Patanjali, presents this guide of consciousness. Perhaps it is based on early Vedic texts, but it is based on his direct experience also. 1800 years later Hartranft, presents this new translation that somehow breathes new life into the 196 aphorisms. His translation seeks to find a fluid way of expressing a line in English. In his commentary he explains some of the Sanskrit terms. He avoids going too deep into later Hatha Yoga, and avoids the highly philosophical discussion. Patanjali's aphorisms are about the "practice"; "Yogic activity has three components; discipline, self-study, and orientation toward the ideal of pure awareness".
Rating: 
Summary: this book is not for advanced learner.
Review: I am trying to look for best several yoga sutra commentary.
I looked through the sample pages of different authors displayed by amazon.
like the reveiwer above.
May 3, 2003 Reviewer: A reader
That's not the right way. For anyone seriously want to DEVOTE himself to this yoga (Hinduism) meditation(European words) Budhism practice yoga(of course there was a different name in early stages of budhism), daoism practice (Chinese traditions, of course in their own terminology and belief), they should CAREFULLY read the translation. The quality of commentary very dependends on literal translation. Any translation w/o original text is NOT serious. Because those traditions developed the belief and terminology from their own soil. Many term cannot be simply translated into English.
Let me put an example: 'citta' this word cannot be simply translated as 'consciousness'or 'mind'. Consciousness means what we can perceive, think and feel based on the stuff in the skull. Mind and body, a topic since Descartes, I think I do not need to explain it.
citta in 1st position means inner awareness from yoga experience. It is off 5 external senses. Not means thinking, not means inner feeling, or a status of quiet emotion.
citta in 2nd position means the derivatives of essence and root of universe (to who is a religionist, it is God.). It is the chips(citta) from big trunk(God).
And Citta is not soul or spirit. Soul is related to saviour etc.
This is some other term in yoga sutra to deal with this aspect.
So, if you donot know the nuances I mentioned above, you may keep 'consciousness' combined with slow and weak breath. This is still the layer to be penetrated, otherwise you will still be a beginner after 20 years practice.
Ideally your master should be an enlighted yogi and scholar.
unfortunately, not many yogi is a good scholar. As many great great physicists were lousy teachers to students, it was similar in yoga field.
I am not a follower of any master or author, nor did i recognize any authors. Just stop by and leeave a comment. I do not mean to critize this reviewer, either. He is just an example.
For people donot devote to yoga (or other names in the other cultures), my comment is useless. I have been into this field since I was 14. I am now a postdoctor researcher. I am still a learner, but I think I can feel the bad and good in yoga books.
Rating: 
Summary: Skip this One
Review: I bought this book based on the previous reviews. Obviously those reviews were written by friends of the author. This book is so esoteric and hard to understand. If I had not previously read the Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda, I would have been completely lost. I read the introduction and sutras 1-10, and decided that I could not read any more. The sentences are long and verbose. The sutras are NOT applied to modern day living. Don't waste your money on this one. I am on my way back to the store to return it. I'll even take a store credit to get rid of this book. My yoga teacher recommended the "The Text of Yoga Psychology" I am going to order that from the Jivamukti Center in New York. It is always good to more than one translation to the Yoga Sutras, BUT NOT THIS ONE.
Rating:
Summary: Skip this One
Review: I bought this book based on the previous reviews. Obviously those reviews were written by friends of the author. This book is so esoteric and hard to understand. If I had not previously read the Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda, I would have been completely lost. I read the introduction and sutras 1-10, and decided that I could not read any more. The sentences are long and verbose. The sutras are NOT applied to modern day living. Don't waste your money on this one. I am on my way back to the store to return it. I'll even take a store credit to get rid of this book. My yoga teacher recommended the "The Text of Yoga Psychology" I am going to order that from the Jivamukti Center in New York. It is always good to more than one translation to the Yoga Sutras, BUT NOT THIS ONE.
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