‘Religiousness in Yoga: Lectures on Theory and Practice’ by the University Press of America,
a transcript of recordings of a one month Yoga Programme in Colgate University in 1976, published in 1980.
Unlike the later redacted edition, re-published in 1995 as the ‘Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice’, it captures the evolution of the retreat with the days lectures and Q & A dialogues as they alternated between ‘lectures on the principles and purposes of Yoga and discussions related to the practice of Yoga with special reference to the postures and the breathing techniques’.
TKV Desikachar, in his forward to the original version wrote:
“These lectures and discussions, printed words put before persons I might never meet,
are but reflections of that deeper result that grew out of a living face-to-face encounter.
Coming to learn of Yoga only through reading leaves much to be desired.
Yet, something worthwhile about Yoga might be shared through the medium of the printed word.”
A chapter by chapter Study guide is offered below with added verse and word cross-references where possible to support a a deeper linking with the teachings within these lectures and Q & A sessions.
Chapter Five Theory: Duḥkha and the Concept of Saṃskāra – Pages 69-79
1. Review P69-70
- Avidyā – Yoga Sūtra II 5
- Duḥkha – Yoga Sūtra II 16
- Tri-Duḥkha – Yoga Sūtra II 15
- Guṇa – Yoga Sūtra II 15
2. Question on Sattva Guṇa P70-71
- Citta – Yoga Sūtra I 2
- Cit – Yoga Sūtra IV 22
- Avidyā – Yoga Sūtra II 5
3. Question on Duḥkha becoming valuable P71
- Duḥkha and Clarity – Yoga Sūtra II 16
4. Question on Clarity and Duḥkha P71
- Duḥkha and Prajña – Yoga Sūtra II 27
5. Question on Duḥkha and Dreams P71-72
- Duḥkha and Vṛtti – Yoga Sūtra I 7 and I 38
6. Question on Puruṣa and Observation P72-73
- Puruṣa and Observation – Yoga Sūtra IV 23
7. Question on Puruṣa and Mind P73-74
- Saṃskāra and Observation – Yoga Sūtra IV 9
8. Question on Clarity and Mind P74
- Asmitā – Yoga Sūtra II 6
- Duḥkha and Avidyā – Yoga Sūtra II 24
9. Question on Duḥkha and Memory P74-75
- Saṃskāra and Old Memories – Yoga Sūtra I 50
10. Question on Saṃskāra P75
- Saṃskāra and New Memories – Yoga Sūtra I 50
11. Question on Origins of Saṃskāra P76
- Saṃskāra and Pratipakṣa- Yoga Sūtra II 34
12. Question on Positive Saṃskāra P76-77
- Saṃskāra and No Memories – Yoga Sūtra I 51
13. Question on Saṃskāra and Avidyā P77
- Preoccupation with Saṃskāra – Yoga Sūtra II 15
14. Introducing Saṃyoga and Avidyā P77-78
- Draṣṭṛ and Dṛśya Mixed up – Yoga Sūtra II 17
15. Question on Difference between Saṃyoga and Asmitā P78
- Asmitā is Cit and Ciita Mixed up – Yoga Sūtra II 6
16. Question on Difference between Saṃyoga and Avidyā P78-79
- Avidyā is confusing opposites – Yoga Sūtra II 5
17. Question on Difference between Duḥkha and Clarity P79
- Duḥkha is a constant- Yoga Sūtra II 15
18. Question on Difference between Duḥkha and Effect P79
- Anticipating Duḥkha – Yoga Sūtra II 16
Follow this link for a Downloadable PDF version of the Chapter Five Study Guide