‘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 Eleven Theory: Antaraṅga Sādhana – An Introduction to the Last Four Aṅga
– Pages 145-162
1. Question on Prāṇā P145
- Ideal is to have Prāṇā inside the body
2. Question on Prāṇā P145-146
- How do you know Prāṇā is inside the body?
3. Question on Distinguishing Avidyā P146
- Avidyā does not always manifest itself – Yoga Sūtra II 5
4. Question on Avidyā and Yama P146-147
- Avidyā and Yama and Niyama – Yoga Sūtra II 5
5. Question on Watching Things Arise P147
- The first Prajña – Yoga Sūtra II 27
6. Question around Family Life P147-148
7. Question around Changing Environment P148
- Yoga and Saṃskāra
8. Question around Restraint rather than Reflection P149
- Yoga and Pratipakṣa Bhāvanam – Yoga Sūtra II 33
9. Question around Doubt and Action P149
- Doubt, action and Time
10. Question around Doubt and Tension P149-150
- Looking at a Problem from a higher viewpoint
11. Question around whether Puruṣa acts P150-151
- Puruṣa in Action
12. Question as to whether Puruṣa is acting or motivating P151
- Puruṣa is the energy for Action
13. Question around Puruṣa being contained P152
- Puruṣa is always present
14. Antaraṅga and Bahiraṅga Sādhana P152
- Bahiraṅga Sādhana – Yoga Sūtra II 29-53
- Antaraṅga Sādhana – Yoga Sūtra II 54-55/III 1-3
15. Pratyāhāra P152-153
- Withdrawing from that on which we are feeding – Yoga Sūtra II 54
- Pratyāhāra as a fruit within Prāṇāyāma
16. Question around Pratyāhāra and Detachment P153-154
- Pratyāhāra and Actions
- Pratyāhāra and Vairāgya – Yoga Sūtra I 15
17. Question around Pratyāhāra and Control P154
- Pratyāhāra and Physical discomfort
- Pratyāhāra is spontaneous
18. Dhāraṇā P154-156
- Dhāraṇā – Yoga Sūtra III 1
- Dhāraṇā as a prerequisite to Dhyāna – Yoga Sūtra III 2
- Relationship of Dhāraṇā to Dhyāna to Samādhi – Yoga Sūtra III 4
19. Role of Prāṇāyāma P156-158
- Role of Āsana and Prāṇāyāma to Dhāraṇā – Yoga Sūtra II 53
20. Question around Relationship of Pratyāhāra and Dhāraṇā P158
- Sequencing of Āsana to Pratyāhāra to Dhāraṇā
21. Question around Sitting and Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna and Samādhi P158-159
22. Question around Pratyāhāra and not responding to stimuli P159-160
- Senses and Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna and Samādhi
- Pratyāhāra is when the senses serve the Mind – Yoga Sūtra II 55
23. Question around Pratyāhāra and Perception P160
- Senses and Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna and Samādhi
- Pratyāhāra is when the senses don’t distract – Yoga Sūtra II 54
24. Question around Distinction between Dhāraṇā and Dhyāna P160-161
- Dhāraṇā is Preparation and Orientation – Yoga Sūtra III 1
- Dhyāna can be the Outcome – Yoga Sūtra III 2
25. Questions around Writing and Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna and Samādhi P161
- Orientation, Involvement and Insight
26. Question around Distinction between Dhyāna and Samādhi P161-162
- Definition of Levels of Samādhi in Chapter One – Yoga Sūtra I 17
- Vitarka, Vicāra, Ānanda, Asmitā – Yoga Sūtra I 17
Follow this link for a Downloadable PDF version of the Chapter Eleven Study Guide
