Yoga and Tantra: History, Philosophy & Mythology

Yoga and Tantra: History, Philosophy & Mythology PDF Author: Tova Olsson
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
ISBN: 8120843150
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 107

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Book Description
The stories about how old yoga is as a practice, where it originated from and who it belongs to are as many as they are conflicting. Yoga practitioners often have to navigate through a jungle of information in order to seek answers to their questions. What exactly is the goal of yoga? Is it relevant for contemporary yoga practitioners to study the Yoga Sutra? What do the various Indian gods and goddesses really symbolise? And what do yogic and tantric traditions have in common? This book offers its readers a clear overview of the origin and historical development of yoga and tantra and an in-depth understanding of the various philosophical systems and concepts used under the name "yoga philosophy". The book also provides insight into how the classical literature often referenced in yoga can be understood contextually, i.e., how it relates to and reflects the time and place it originated in. As well as how yogic mythology and its many deities can be used to put words on an inner experience or shed light on aspects of ourselves. The book is a must-read for yoga teachers, curious practitioners, as well as knowledge seekers. About The Author: TOVA OLSSON is a yoga teacher, religious scholar and writer. She has been published in scientific journals and lectures internationally on the history, philosophy and mythology of yoga and tantra. She holds an MA in history of religions from Gothenburg University and is currently working on her PhD at Umeà University.

Yoga and Tantra: History, Philosophy & Mythology

Yoga and Tantra: History, Philosophy & Mythology PDF Author: Tova Olsson
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
ISBN: 8120843150
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 107

Get Book Here

Book Description
The stories about how old yoga is as a practice, where it originated from and who it belongs to are as many as they are conflicting. Yoga practitioners often have to navigate through a jungle of information in order to seek answers to their questions. What exactly is the goal of yoga? Is it relevant for contemporary yoga practitioners to study the Yoga Sutra? What do the various Indian gods and goddesses really symbolise? And what do yogic and tantric traditions have in common? This book offers its readers a clear overview of the origin and historical development of yoga and tantra and an in-depth understanding of the various philosophical systems and concepts used under the name "yoga philosophy". The book also provides insight into how the classical literature often referenced in yoga can be understood contextually, i.e., how it relates to and reflects the time and place it originated in. As well as how yogic mythology and its many deities can be used to put words on an inner experience or shed light on aspects of ourselves. The book is a must-read for yoga teachers, curious practitioners, as well as knowledge seekers. About The Author: TOVA OLSSON is a yoga teacher, religious scholar and writer. She has been published in scientific journals and lectures internationally on the history, philosophy and mythology of yoga and tantra. She holds an MA in history of religions from Gothenburg University and is currently working on her PhD at Umeà University.

Tantra

Tantra PDF Author: Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D.
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN: 0834825457
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
A leading yoga researcher offers a clear and lively introduction to the history, philosophy, and practice of the Tantric spiritual tradition Tantra—often associated with Kundalini Yoga—is a fundamental dimension of Hinduism, emphasizing the cultivation of “divine power” (shakti) as a path to infinite bliss. Tantra has been widely misunderstood in the West, however, where its practices are often confused with eroticism and licentious morality. Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy dispels many common misconceptions, providing an accessible introduction to the history, philosophy, and practice of this extraordinary spiritual tradition. The Tantric teachings are geared toward the attainment of enlightenment as well as spiritual power and are present not only in Hinduism but also Jainism and Vajrayana Buddhism. In this book, Georg Feuerstein offers readers a clear understanding of authentic Tantra, as well as appropriate guidance for spiritual practice and the attainment of higher consciousness.

Yoga

Yoga PDF Author: Mircea Eliade
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691142033
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 576

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Book Description
First published in English in 1958, the author lays the groundwork for a Western understanding of Yoga, providing a comprehensive survey of Yoga in theory and practice from its earliest antecedents in the Vedas through the twentieth century.

The Yoga Tradition

The Yoga Tradition PDF Author: Georg Feuerstein
Publisher: SCB Distributors
ISBN: 1935387391
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 544

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Book Description
A unique reference work from the foremost writer on Yoga today, THE YOGA TRADITION surveys the 5,000-year history of Hindy, Buddhistm, Jaina, and Sikh Yoga, featuring full and partial translations of numerous key scriptures and over 200 illustrations. It is considered the CLASSIC text on Yoga practice and history.

Yoga

Yoga PDF Author: Mircea Eliade
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 9780691017648
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 564

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Book Description
In this landmark book the renowned scholar of religion Mircea Eliade lays the groundwork for a Western understanding of Yoga, exploring how its guiding principle, that of freedom, involves remaining in the world without letting oneself be exhausted by such "conditionings" as time and history. Drawing on years of study and experience in India, Eliade provides a comprehensive survey of Yoga in theory and practice from its earliest foreshadowings in the Vedas through the twentieth century. The subjects discussed include Patañjali, author of the Yoga-sutras; yogic techniques, such as concentration "on a Single Point," postures, and respiratory discipline; and Yoga in relation to Brahmanism, Buddhism, Tantrism, Oriental alchemy, mystical erotism, and shamanism.

The Origins of Yoga and Tantra

The Origins of Yoga and Tantra PDF Author: Geoffrey Samuel
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139470213
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 429

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Book Description
Yoga, tantra and other forms of Asian meditation are practised in modernized forms throughout the world today, but most introductions to Hinduism or Buddhism tell only part of the story of how they developed. This book is an interpretation of the history of Indic religions up to around 1200 CE, with particular focus on the development of yogic and tantric traditions. It assesses how much we really know about this period, and asks what sense we can make of the evolution of yogic and tantric practices, which were to become such central and important features of the Indic religious scene. Its originality lies in seeking to understand these traditions in terms of the total social and religious context of South Asian society during this period, including the religious practices of the general population with their close engagement with family, gender, economic life and other pragmatic concerns.

The Encyclopedia of Yoga and Tantra

The Encyclopedia of Yoga and Tantra PDF Author: Georg Feuerstein
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN: 0834844400
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 473

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Book Description
The ever-increasing popularity of Yoga and related practices makes a desktop reference like this indispensible. With over twenty-five hundred entries and extensive illustrations, it combines comprehensiveness with accessibility. The book is arranged and written in a manner that will inform rather than overwhelm the lay reader, while at the same time offering valuable references for the professional researcher and the historian of religion. This new edition includes information about contemporary Yoga teachers. It also provides fuller descriptions and illustrations of Yoga poses, and features additional cross references.

Tantra Illuminated

Tantra Illuminated PDF Author: Christopher D Wallis
Publisher: Mattamayura Press
ISBN: 0989761363
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 516

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Book Description
This book takes readers on a fascinating journey to the very heart of Tantra: its key teachings, foundational lineages, and transformative practices. Since the West's discovery of Tantra 100 years ago, there has been considerable fascination, speculation, and more than a little misinformation about this spiritual movement. Now, for the first time in the English language, Tantra Illuminated presents an accessible introduction to this sacred tradition that began 1,500 years ago, in the far north of India. The book uses translations from primary Sanskrit sources, offers a profound look at spiritual practice, and reveals Tantra's rich history and powerful teachings.

Tantra Illuminated

Tantra Illuminated PDF Author: Christopher D. Wallis
Publisher: Mattamayura Press
ISBN: 9780989761307
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book takes readers on a fascinating journey to the very heart of Tantra: its key teachings, foundational lineages, and transformative practices. Since the West's discovery of Tantra 100 years ago, there has been considerable fascination, speculation, and more than a little misinformation about this spiritual movement. Now, for the first time in the English language, Tantra Illuminated presents an accessible introduction to this sacred tradition that began 1,500 years ago, in the far north of India. The book uses translations from primary Sanskrit sources, offers a profound look at spiritual practice, and reveals Tantra's rich history and powerful teachings.

Tantra Yoga

Tantra Yoga PDF Author: Mary McLaughlin M.A.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781735112404
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Part inspirational memoir, part philosophical teaching, part practical application, this book is an accessible, actionable guide to the true Tantra -- not the sex-focused version that popular culture promotes. Todd Norian, founder of Ashaya Yoga and international spiritual teacher, brings to life Nondual Shaiva-Shakta Tantra, the revolutionary philosophy that has been misunderstood and largely hidden? until now. Often relegated to the realm of theological history and academia, Nondual Shaiva-Shakta Tantra is an ancient, powerful path of heart-centric learning, and Todd is the perfect guide to that path. Since his first encounter with it more than 25 years ago, he has sought to understand, teach, and apply its lessons, creating an entirely new Tantra-based yoga method along the way.Now, writing with gentle, compassionate authority, he shares the life-changing philosophy that taught him how to embrace all of it -- the pain, disillusionment, and suffering -- as the gift it was always meant to be. By setting down on paper his remarkable journey, woven together with Tantric teachings, Todd gives seekers the tools that have changed his life forever for the better - not by lecturing in a scholarly way, but by bringing Tantra to life with humor and day-to-day relevance. Who are those "seekers"? There are 36 million active yogis in America. That number grew by 50% in four years? and it's still growing. They practice yoga to get more flexible, to heal an aching back, to reduce stress. Yet in time, many of these practitioners want more. They want to go deeper. Yes, yoga makes me feel better, but what lies underneath? How can I be happy? How can I live a meaningful life? Relatable, funny, candid, Todd has written this book for those individuals, the ones who are looking for a heart-centered path to life fulfillment. It will inspire readers to access their own hearts, leading them from the unknown to the known, from darkness to light, and from fear to love as they walk their own paths of hope, happiness, and true transformation.