Lectures on Yoga

by Swami Rama

1979 6th ed, bright clean copy, no markings, Professional booksellers since 1981

Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Swāmī Rāma was born Brij Kiśore Dhasmana or Brij Kiśore Kumar,to a northern Indian Brahmin family in a small village called Toli in the Garhwal Himalayas. From an early age he was raised in the Himalayas by his master Bengali Baba and, under the guidance of his master, traveled from temple to temple and studied with a variety of Himalayan saints and sages, including his grandmaster, who was living in a remote region of Tibet. From 1949 to 1952 he held the prestigious position of Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham in South India. After returning to his master in 1952 and practising further for many years in the Himalayan caves, Swami Rama was encouraged by his teacher to go to the West, where he spent a considerable portion of his life teaching, specifically in the United States and Europe.
He is especially notable as one of the first yogis to allow himself to be studied by Western scientists.
Swami Rama authored several books in which he describes the path he took to becoming a yogi and lays out the philosophy and benefits behind practices such as meditation. One of the common themes expressed in such books as "Enlightenment Without God" and "Living with the Himalayan Masters" is the ability of any person to achieve peace without the need for a structured religion. He was critical of the tendency for yogis to use supernatural feats to demonstrate their enlightenment, arguing that these only demonstrated the ability to perform a feat.

Reviews

[Kevin]

Not just a book on yoga. It probably deals more with meditation than yoga, with a cosmic dash of energetic feels thrown about. Gives a bit of a different perspective on yoga than modern ones. Considering this book was first published in 1971, this shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Religion and spirituality has to change a lot in four decades to keep up with modern times.

Overall, it approached yoga from the Indian philosophy and religious viewpoints. It's all about union with the universal soul. But, on the physical level, postures aim at physical well-being and control over the body. A healthy body is a prerequisite for a healthy and controlled mind. You don't hear too many new age folk talking about control or perfection these days. But the teaching was there in the 70's. All forms of yoga "lead to the state of perfection, wisdom, and bliss."

Oh, and can't forget the string and cloth cleansing recommendations. Gajakarani and dhauti, respectively. Crazy fuckers in the 70's, man.