The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker's Guide to Extraordinary Living

By Stephen Cope

Book Overview

For modern spiritual seekers and yoga students alike, here is an irreverent yet profound guide to the most sophisticated teachings of the yoga wisdom tradition-now brought to contemporary life by a celebrated author, psychotherapist, and leading American yoga instructor.

While many Westerners still think of yoga as an invigorating series of postures and breathing exercises, these physical practices are only part of a vast and ancient spiritual science. For more than three millennia, yoga sages systematically explored the essential questions of our human existence: What are the root causes of suffering, and how can we achieve freedom and happiness? What would it be like to function at the maximum potential of our minds, bodies, and spirits? What is an optimal human life?

Nowhere have their discoveries been more brilliantly distilled than in a short-but famously difficult-treatise called the Yogasutra. This revered text lays out the entire path of inner development in remarkable detail-ranging from practices that build character and mental power to the highest reaches of spiritual realization.

Now Stephen Cope unlocks the teachings of the Yogasutra by showing them at work in the lives of a group of friends and fellow yoga students who are confronting the full modern catastrophe of careers, relationships, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Interweaving their daily dilemmas with insights from modern psychology, neuroscience, religion, and philosophy, he shows the astonishing relevance and practicality of this timeless psychology of awakening.

Leavened with wit and passion, The Wisdom of Yoga is a superb companion and guide for anyone seeking enhanced creativity, better relationships, and a more ethical and graceful way of living in the world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553380540
• ISBN13: 9780553380545
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.6" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

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Excellent Tales of Yoginis

This book is about the transformations that can occur thru the practice of yoga. It is an easy read, but has true depth and soul that true practitioners can relate to. I enjoyed this book even more than Stephen Cope's previous book which is also a good read. I recommend this book to anyone who is dedicated and wishes to achieve a deeper understanding of how to use their body and mind to evolve spiritually.

Some answers to a few of life's persistant questions

In his book, "The Wisdom of Yoga," Stephen Cope has created a small masterpiece. He has not tried to answer questions about man's place in the universe or or the existence of an external world. He has, however, by means of telling vignettes from the lives of people he knows well and insightful comments about what must be one of the most gnomic series of insights into the practice of Yoga, given the average reader a sence of what it is to become involved in the practice of Yoga and some of its life-changing potential. In addition to this, he has included illustrations from other belief systems, specifically Buddhist thought and Christianity that provide a wider context for his practice. The Yoga practioner, as well as the average person who would like to learn a little about Yoga, could both benefit from the wonderful book.

A Must Read!

Stephen Cope has laid a map of the internal journey of yoga for beginners and experienced yogis all in the same brushstroke. He has brought together ancient texts, modern stories, and wise direction with practicle, simple, humorous dialogue. You will keep turning the pages as you effortlessly learn about the depth of yoga through his real charachters of today. Loved It! Great for anyone who wants to know more about meditation, it's benefits, and how to do it easily!

Gets to the Heart of the Matter

The absolute best in its field, Wisdom of Yoga is no 'Idiot's Guide to Yoga'; you actually need gray matter in order to read it. However it's well worth it. I don't know of a more enriching, comprehensive (and above all) enjoyable read that will take you to the heart of the YogaSutras and the real purpose for taking up yoga.

One of the Best Books on Yoga

I am a huge fan of this book. In novel like prose, Stephen beautifully illustrates how the yoga sutras apply to our very modern, complicated lives. If you want to go deeper into the yoga wisdom tradition but have been put off by more esoteric texts, this is the book for you.