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The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker's Guide to Extraordinary Living
by
Stephen Cope
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,...more
While many Westerners still think of yoga as an invigorating series of postures and breathing exercises,...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
May 29th 2007
by Bantam
(first published 2006)
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This is the 1st book i've read about yoga and its deeper purpose. As an atheist, I am intrinsically weary of self-help and spiritual books but I am also deeply in love with yoga so I thought I'd give this book a go since I've heard great things about it. There was a lot of amazing insight in it for me, and I really like how he talks about the fact that scientists have studied what happens in our brains when we meditate and practice yogic physical and mental movements. That part of it speaks to m...more
Jan 27, 2010
Clif Brittain
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Clif by:
Yoga Journal
There was a lot of meat on this bone. I have been practicing yoga for about eight months, and as I become more familiar with the physical aspects of yoga, I find myself more interested in the mental side as well. So there is a pull factor involved in exploring the wisdom of yoga. There is also a push factor, in that I am increasingly uneasy about my relationship with my church. There have been a lot of changes within the Catholic Church - new pope, new archbishop, new pastor - none of which reso...more
I found Cope's approach to this book pretty fascinating. He began writing the book with the intention of writing a traditional commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, and he completed exhaustive research into yoga philosophy and Sanskrit with this in mind; however, the focus of the project morphed and shifted as he wrote. The final book includes three intertwining components: commentary and explanation of the yoga sutras, explication of the sutras from a modern psychological perspective based on...more
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Sep 15, 2009
Mo Tipton
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
philosophy,
yoga-buddhism
I just realized that I rarely write reviews for the books that really, really affect me, like this one. It almost seems impossible to capture what I got from the book in a few measly paragraphs, but I suppose I should give it a try.
Both The Wisdom of Yoga and Cope's earlier book, Yoga and the Quest for the True Self were life changing for me, and unlike other texts on yogic philosophy that I've read, they aren't dry and scholarly; rather, they read almost like a novel, as Cope weaves personal n...more
Both The Wisdom of Yoga and Cope's earlier book, Yoga and the Quest for the True Self were life changing for me, and unlike other texts on yogic philosophy that I've read, they aren't dry and scholarly; rather, they read almost like a novel, as Cope weaves personal n...more
Stephen Cope is a psychotherapist and a longtime Kripalu Yoga teacher. In this book he integrates the Buddha’s insight of suffering into the daily lives of a series of friends who are fellow yoga practitioners. He provides a thorough teaching on the overlap of Patanjali’s yoga sutras with Theravada Buddhism, while respecting both traditions. The book provides a feel for how you might start to incorporate mindfulness in your own daily life.
One of the best books on yoga I have read. A concise and intrigueing look at the philosophy, psychology, and real life application of the yogic lifestyle as a whole. Using real life characters with situations, personalities, and dilemmas the reader can relate to, the author makes an amazing case for the transformative, enlightening, and healing powers of a life dedicated to yoga, body, mind, and soul.
Mar 24, 2011
Colleen
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Yoga teachers and students, spiritual seekers
Recommended to Colleen by:
Jamie Reckers
I read this book for my Yoga Book Club here in Portland. As a yoga teacher, I really enjoyed how author Stephen Cope wove the Yoga Sutras throughout the book, making them less esoteric and more accessible than I've experienced in the past. He touches on psychology, neurology, and Buddhist philosophy as well as dozens of years of yoga scholarship to describe the yogic path to wisdom.
Excellent book. Have given copies away to friends :) Stephen Cope is a wonderful writer. If you are a "seeker" you'll love this book.
I did a Vipassana retreat (intense, 10-day meditation) a year after reading this book and found my mind constantly came to this book since I was experiencing so many of the things he describes - except I was truly, deeply experiencing them.
I did a Vipassana retreat (intense, 10-day meditation) a year after reading this book and found my mind constantly came to this book since I was experiencing so many of the things he describes - except I was truly, deeply experiencing them.
Fantastic book. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras can be very hard to read as they are written in short and sometimes cryptic messages of wisdom. However, this book will take you through the lives of people and their struggles and apply the sutras (and more) to their life trials and tribulations. It's a great read for anyone whether you're in to practicing yoga or not.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras interpreted through the lives of four men and women at Kripalu yoga center in Massachusetts. This was the first "yoga" book I've read, and nothing has compared since. I never expected a discussion of a classic Hindu text to be so engrossing.
Beautiful work!!! Cope has brought Patanjali's yoga sutras to life for me more than anything else i have read to date! Although he occasionally lost my interest with his foray into theoretical psychology, by framing the book around personal experience he has created a very modern day identification and the opportunity for personal application of this ancient wisdom.
A deeper study of yogic philosophy but still extremely accessible for the modern reader. This was written before "Yoga and the Quest for the True Self", but I think they should be read in reverse chronological order.
At first, I found this book's conceit - framing yogic philosophy with the stories of archetypal (...k, kind of stereotypical) characters - a little annoying. But as I read I got into it as a great way to ground and personalize these obscure ancient texts. Cope has managed to make the lessons of the yoga sutras both highly, broadly spiritual and totally practical.
"Am I powerless over muffins?" and other questions.
Read. It is concise and useful and good and full of smart yoga philosophy explanation.
"Just because you've discovered this, don't expect that the world will understand, you know, or love you for it."
Read. It is concise and useful and good and full of smart yoga philosophy explanation.
"Just because you've discovered this, don't expect that the world will understand, you know, or love you for it."
An amazing book. The roots of yoga are described and the stories of several current seekers are followed. The book has a relaxed, conversational tone, making the complex topic easier to understand.
I want to reread this book again in a year or so. Too much to take in on one reading. It will be interesting to see what comes to light after a year of practicing yoga and meditation.
This book make me want to go live at Kripalu in Massachusetts for a summer....or more. Four friends and their yoga journeys. Not at all what I expected from this book.
GREAT SO FAR! Makes some of the spirituality that I am craving much more attainable compared to reading the Sutras by themselves.
I started this book a few days ago and have not been able to put it down. It is helping me deepen my understanding of meditation and other contemplative practices. I already know I'll be giving it 5 stars and I highly recommend it. It reads like a novel and is very insightful.
I really enjoyed this book and it definitely increased my interest in meditation. Cope has a very enjoyable and accessible writing style, but this is not a quick read (lots to ponder along the way). It got a bit too mystical for me about 2/3 of the way through, but I was completely riveted before that point. I currently have a borrowed copy, but I think this may be one that I want to own. I can see myself wanting to re-read many sections.
The real deal...Stephen Cope describes yoga through real life stories and experiences. Inspiring...hard to put down.
Excellent story of one man's journey on the yogic path. Sort of a how-to book for beginning meditators.
Aug 10, 2010
Kim
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
spirtuality,
non-fiction
Cope's way of using stories to teach select sections of the Yoga Sutra really helped me to attach new learning to something familiar. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on ideas taught in the book and think I will reread it before long in order to absorb even more of its wisdom.
This book helps explain the yoga-sutra to a layperson such as myself. By using personal stories of people he's known the author shows how the concepts or sutras are manifested and/or can be put into practice. Part Five of the book (the last part) was the only part I found too existentialist, but perhaps I'm just not ready for that yet. I liked how he provided a comparative of raja-yoga and Buddhism- having read some works of lama surya das i was thinking I was seeing similarities...but wasn't su...more
A fantastic guide to how to incorporate yoga into your life.
This is the first yoga book that I have read and found it very interesting and inspirational. I want to read Stephen's other book next....love the practice of yoga and want to continue reading more about the philosophy and practical applications.
Cope is one of my favorites.
recommended by a friend :)
Simply AMAZING!!
Applies the Sutras to modern day living in a comprehensible way. Will read again for sure. I'm sure you can read a few times and learn something new each time.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can a Christian find truth in the wisdom of Yoga? | 2 | 17 | Dec 18, 2009 09:46am |
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“Quoting from Thomas Merton
Dialogues With Silence
The true contemplative is not one who prepares his mind for a particular message that he wants or expects to hear, but is one who remains empty because he knows that he can never expect to anticipate the words that will transform his darkness into light. He does not even anticipate a special kind of transformation. He does not demand light instead of darkness. He waits on the Word of God in silence, and, when he is answered it is not so much by a word that bursts into his silence. It is by his silence itself, suddenly, inexplicably revealing itself to him as a word of great power, full of the voice of God. (17)”
—
10 people liked it
Dialogues With Silence
The true contemplative is not one who prepares his mind for a particular message that he wants or expects to hear, but is one who remains empty because he knows that he can never expect to anticipate the words that will transform his darkness into light. He does not even anticipate a special kind of transformation. He does not demand light instead of darkness. He waits on the Word of God in silence, and, when he is answered it is not so much by a word that bursts into his silence. It is by his silence itself, suddenly, inexplicably revealing itself to him as a word of great power, full of the voice of God. (17)”
“Quoting from Phillip Moffitt
Will Yoga and Meditation Really Change My Life?
The most profound change I’m aware of just now is a growing realization that life is not personal. This may seem a surprising or even strange view to those unfamiliar with Eastern spirituality, but it has powerful implications. It’s very freeing to see that events in my life are arising because of circumstances in which I am not involved, but that I’m not at the center of them in any particular way. They’re impersonal. They’re arising because of causes and conditions. They are not “me.” There is a profound freedom in this. It makes life much more peaceful and harmonious because I’m not in reaction to events all the time. (134)”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
Will Yoga and Meditation Really Change My Life?
The most profound change I’m aware of just now is a growing realization that life is not personal. This may seem a surprising or even strange view to those unfamiliar with Eastern spirituality, but it has powerful implications. It’s very freeing to see that events in my life are arising because of circumstances in which I am not involved, but that I’m not at the center of them in any particular way. They’re impersonal. They’re arising because of causes and conditions. They are not “me.” There is a profound freedom in this. It makes life much more peaceful and harmonious because I’m not in reaction to events all the time. (134)”
