‘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 Thirteen Theory: Antaraṅga Sādhana, Saṃyama and Kaivalya Pages 179-194
1. Review of Chapter Eleven Theory P179-181
- Pratyāhāra – Yoga Sūtra II 54
- Dhāraṇā – Yoga Sūtra III 1
- Dhyāna – Yoga Sūtra III 2
- Samādhi – Yoga Sūtra III 3
2. Dhyãna P181-182
3. Question on Draṣṭṛ P182
- Draṣṭṛ is ‘the one who sees’
4. Question on Pratyāhāra P182-183
- Pratyāhāra is effect of Dhyāna – Yoga Sūtra II 54
- All techniques in Prāṇāyāma help Pratyāhāra
5. Question on Dhyãna P183
- In Dhyāna there is the feeling ‘I’ am involved
6. Question on Samādhi P183-186
- The object is not in meditation, we are
- Perception changes not the object – Yoga Sūtra IV 15
- Comparing a state of Samādhi with a state of anger
- Four stages of Avidyā – Yoga Sūtra II 4
- The state of Samādhi is really a state of Prajña – Yoga Sūtra I 48
7. Question on comparing Dhyãna and Samãdhi P186-187
8. Question on the aid of a teacher P187
- I feel it is better to have some personal guidance
9. Question on Puruṣa and Prakṛti P187-188
10. Question on the body as an object in Dhyãna P188
- The body and Saṃyama – Yoga Sūtra III 29
11. Question on a state of Samādhi in Āsana P189
12. Question on learning and Dhāraṇā, Dhyãna and Samādhi P189-190
- Learning is Dhāraṇā and Dhyāna
- Alternating states of clarity and confusion – Yoga Sūtra III 9
13. Question on ultimate goal of Yoga to be in Samādhi all the time P190-191
- Ultimate goal to always observe correctly
14. Question on state of Samādhi and being in the world P190
- Kaivalya introduced – Yoga Sūtra II 25
- The state of Kaivalya is where we understand this world
15. Question on Kaivalya happening suddenly P191-192
- With Kaivalya gradually something happens that we do not control
16. Question on Kaivalya being a break or something gradual P192
- Two forces operate, old and new – Yoga Sūtra IV 27
- Change is gradual – Yoga Sūtra II 27
17. Question on how Dhyãna comes about P193
- Effort always required – Yoga Sūtra IV 27
- Abhyāsa means to go on in a particular direction – Yoga Sūtra I 13
- At the moment of Dhyāna effort ceases – Yoga Sūtra III 2
18. Preview of Chapter Fifteen on Antarāyāḥ P194
- What are the obstacles – Yoga Sūtra I 30
Follow this link for a Downloadable PDF version of the Chapter Thirteen Study Guide
Follow this Link for Downloadable PDF’s of all the Previous Chapters
