Swimming with Krishna: Teaching Stories from the Kripalu Yoga Tradition

by Edited and commentary by Richard Faulds

Kripalu Yoga is part of the oldest known yoga tradition with archeological evidence dating back 5000 years. The Kripalu tradition includes many colorful figures who helped pioneer and evolve the techniques known today as yoga. This book is a collection of teaching stories describing their lives, exploits, and accomplishments. Down through history, parents and elders have recounted legends linking listeners to the past. Spiritual teachers have also been storytellers, using myths and parables to kindle inspiration, paint a picture of humankind's place in the cosmos, and convey esoteric wisdom. When read symbolically, these stories have an amazing capacity to speak to individuals at different levels of development, delivering the precise message needed to catalyze positive movement. Prior works on the Kripalu tradition have treated its legends as entirely factual in nature. At the heart of these tales is Lakulish, an immortal yogi with a divine body who appears as needed to guide deserving seekers and keep the tradition potent. Depicted in an ancient statue as a meditating yogi merged with a Shiva lingam, Lakulish is a wonder worker whose miraculous acts are always fascinating and instructive. Richard Faulds, author of Kripalu A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat, and Sayings of Swami Kripalu, believes the legends of Lakulish and others can also be read as deeply symbolic. Interpreted in this light, these teaching stories convey vital messages for anyone on the Kripalu Yoga path.

108 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2006

Reviews

[Raven Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the parables that are contained in this book. I would have given it 5 stars, but there were many spelling mistakes. Other than that, it was a wonderful read!