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Yoga: The Greater Tradition
As yoga continues to grow in popularity as a modern exercise and fitness movement, it is important to take notice of the greater spiritual tradition that forms its core. This book sheds light on the greater tradition and teachings of yoga, providing readers with an important approach to the practice that can harmonize their existence both individually and collectively. Yoga provides all students with a new appreciation of their dicipline's universe.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2008
12 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
David Frawley
140 books311 followersDavid Frawley (or Vāmadeva Śāstrī वामदेव शास्त्री), b. 1950, is an American Hindu teacher (acharya) and author, who has written more than thirty books on topics such as the Vedas, Hinduism, Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology, published both in India and in the United States. He is the founder and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which offers educational information on Yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and Vedic astrology. He works closely with the magazine Hinduism Today, where he is a frequent contributor.[1] He is associated with a number of Vedic organizations in several countries. He is a Vedic teacher (Vedacharya), Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor), and a Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer).
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 8, 2019
4/5
"Real yoga is about non-doing
This book is a great starter for anyone that is a true beginner in yoga and wants a basic overview of what yoga truly is. This is also a great book for those that just need a quick refresher and reminder of what yoga really is.
I found the writing to be a bit to honey coated, flowery, and light. I would have like to have a bit more meaning when it came to each of the words and terms that were used when I was reading through the book. I don't need to the whole scientific or even spiritual explanation but more than what was provided would have been nice.
I will admit, however, that there were a quite a few things that I was not aware of when it came to yoga and this was a nice book to get a start on expanding my questions and thoughts in my yoga practice.
"Real yoga is about non-doing
This book is a great starter for anyone that is a true beginner in yoga and wants a basic overview of what yoga truly is. This is also a great book for those that just need a quick refresher and reminder of what yoga really is.
I found the writing to be a bit to honey coated, flowery, and light. I would have like to have a bit more meaning when it came to each of the words and terms that were used when I was reading through the book. I don't need to the whole scientific or even spiritual explanation but more than what was provided would have been nice.
I will admit, however, that there were a quite a few things that I was not aware of when it came to yoga and this was a nice book to get a start on expanding my questions and thoughts in my yoga practice.
March 11, 2019
A little, but comprehensive book for the very beginner; a great starting point, I think.
September 22, 2017
Simple and clear book with the philosophy of yoga.
Yoga is about being rather than doing. Yoga teaches us to know ourselves, which is not a product of our outer activity. It teaches us to contact our inner being, which is obscured by outer actions and pursuits. Yoga provides us a great revelation in this regard. We don't ultimately need to do anything at all to be happy; we need only come to rest within our true nature. This resembles returning to the center of the universe, which everything else must move around!
Real yoga is about non-doing. much of our unhappiness, and even disease, arises from the fact that we are already doing too much. We have no time, not even for ourselves, much less for our loved ones. We are constantly on the go and yet never seem to arrive at any place where we want to stay for very long.
Yoga is about doing less and being more present wherever we are and with whatever we need to do. Yoga is not simply something new but a better way of using the faculties and resources we already have. Yoga asanas are about moving the body more slowly, ultimately bringing it into stillness. Yogic meditation is about slowing down the mind and creating deep calm and unwavering inner peace that does not require any outer entertainment. A yogic lifestyle is about not bringing any harm or interference into the lives of others.
Yoga is not as much a new achievement as a means of letting go and relaxing into the infinite. Yoga philosophy is a philosophy of being. You are all that you need to be. But to discover that, you must move aside the veils of the body, mind and sense, and uncover the essence of your being.
Yoga and the End of All Suffering
The main problem in life is suffering, regardless of where we live or what we do. Suffering comes to all of us in one form or another; to the rich and poor, the young and old alike. The sorrow may be physical, emotional, or circumstantial. It may be person, relative to the state of our country or to our planet as a whole. Therefore one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is, "How can we put a permanent end to all suffering?"
Yoga was devised as a means to end all suffering. Yogic practices not only promote physical and psychological well being, but also is aimed at eliminating spiritual suffering.
Yoga instructs that spiritual suffering is caused by confusing the seer with the seen, the self with its instruments, the eternal with the transient, the real with the unreal, and being with nonbeing. Simply put, spiritual suffering arises from the identification of our true nature with the limitations of body and mind. If we learn to witness the conditions of body and mind, whether painful or pleasurable, and not identify them as our own, we can go beyond all suffering.
Five Kleshas or Factors of Affliction
1 Avidya - ignorance of our true nature
2 Asmita - egoism or false identification of our inner being with the body and mind
3 Raga - attraction to the factors that bring us personal happiness
4 Dvesha - repulsion by the factors that bring us personal pain
5 Abhinivesha - clinging to bodily existence
Physical suffering comes to everyone because even the healthiest person must eventually get old and die. Similarly psychological suffering is there for everyone because life always has experiences that are not to our personal liking or preference. However, putting an end to spiritual suffering frees us from physical and psychological suffering - when we no longer identify our true being with the body and mind. Even if outer suffering occurs, the yogi no longer sees such pain as belonging to the yogi, but witnesses it from a higher awareness.
Moksha = liberation of the spirit, the highest goal of life in Indian philosophy
We all seek freedom from pain and limitation but confuse the freedom to get or do whatever we want with real freedom. Real freedom is freedom from fear, desire and attachment - freedom from body and mind. It is the freedom to be everything and exist forever. In this is both the end of suffering and realization of supreme joy.
The teaching of yoga has always relied upon an oral tradition directly passed on from guru to disciple. Yet yoga has extensive literature, too, extending into thousands of books primarily written in Sanskrit. The yoga literature is perhaps the largest and oldest spiritual literature in the world.
Besides the general meaning of yoga as inner practices to achieve union with the divine, there is a more specific meaning as one of the systems of Indian philosophy. Yoga Darshana (Sanskrit) is one of the six schools of Vedic philosophy that build their authority on the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.
The most commonly known text on yoga = Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, dating from ~ 300 BCE
The Five Yamas
The 5 yamas are primary yogic values, principles and observances. They mainly consist of forms of self-regulation. A yogic lifestyle is disciplined, control not by violence or force but by a higher aspiration.
1. Ahisma = nonviolence. our lifestyle causes minimal damage to the world around us, and aims to reduce the amount of harm that occurs
2. Satya = truthfulness. be true to ourselves and others. speak the truth. Promote the cause of truth in our actions and expressions
3. Asteya = nonstealing. not only on a physical level, but also psychologically. Do not take what doesn't belong to us. In the highest sense, nothing belongs to us. We are only stewards of nature's resources
4. Brachmacharya = celibacy or faithfulness. proper use of sexual energy, for creation
5. Aparigraha = nonpossessiveness. not accumulating unnecessary possessions outwardly or inwardly. not holding or clinging to thoughts and emotions
The Niyamas
1. Tapas - inner heat or fire. austerity or self-control to turn our awareness within
2. Svadyaya - study of what relates to oneself. fulfil one's individual dharma, one's unique psychophysical nature and particular orientation to the divine inherent in oneself, giving it a strong devotional component
3. Ishvara pranidhana - devotion to the divine presence. consecration of our energy to the cosmic power
4. Soaucha - purity. of body, mind and speed. Cleanliness of the body and mind. Vegetarian diet
5. Santosha - inner contentment. yoga arises from a pursuit of inner peace and happiness, not seeking external rewards, title or fame. be content with what we have, finding our happiness within
Prana vital energy. Asanas are about allowing the prana or cosmic life energy to flow through and revitalize us. Prana has a higher intelligence that aligns the body with the currents of universal life and consciousness.
Yoga asanas flow like the breath rather than as a series of specifically defined movement. Move through and with prana in our asana practice, letting the energy unfold.
In asana practice, be aware not only o four body, but our entire movement of thought and breath. Put the mind into a calm, witnessing state, making the body a vehicle for meditation.
Remain aware of our higher nature and our connection with the divine during asana practice rather than worry about how our bodies look
A real asana yogi can sit quietly, relaxed and aware, connected to the cosmic mind and prana w/o feeling a need to move or talk. True asana practice means to be seated in one's own nature, abiding in teh inner heart. Then our being becomes part of the asana and its stillness.
Real yoga rests upon integrating body, mind and spirit.
Practice yoga 1/2 hour or more in the AM, and a similar period later in the day.
Practice gently, with detachment. Let go of body consciousness, not increase it.
Practice asana with lightness, as if your body were made of light and energy
Yoga is about being rather than doing. Yoga teaches us to know ourselves, which is not a product of our outer activity. It teaches us to contact our inner being, which is obscured by outer actions and pursuits. Yoga provides us a great revelation in this regard. We don't ultimately need to do anything at all to be happy; we need only come to rest within our true nature. This resembles returning to the center of the universe, which everything else must move around!
Real yoga is about non-doing. much of our unhappiness, and even disease, arises from the fact that we are already doing too much. We have no time, not even for ourselves, much less for our loved ones. We are constantly on the go and yet never seem to arrive at any place where we want to stay for very long.
Yoga is about doing less and being more present wherever we are and with whatever we need to do. Yoga is not simply something new but a better way of using the faculties and resources we already have. Yoga asanas are about moving the body more slowly, ultimately bringing it into stillness. Yogic meditation is about slowing down the mind and creating deep calm and unwavering inner peace that does not require any outer entertainment. A yogic lifestyle is about not bringing any harm or interference into the lives of others.
Yoga is not as much a new achievement as a means of letting go and relaxing into the infinite. Yoga philosophy is a philosophy of being. You are all that you need to be. But to discover that, you must move aside the veils of the body, mind and sense, and uncover the essence of your being.
Yoga and the End of All Suffering
The main problem in life is suffering, regardless of where we live or what we do. Suffering comes to all of us in one form or another; to the rich and poor, the young and old alike. The sorrow may be physical, emotional, or circumstantial. It may be person, relative to the state of our country or to our planet as a whole. Therefore one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is, "How can we put a permanent end to all suffering?"
Yoga was devised as a means to end all suffering. Yogic practices not only promote physical and psychological well being, but also is aimed at eliminating spiritual suffering.
Yoga instructs that spiritual suffering is caused by confusing the seer with the seen, the self with its instruments, the eternal with the transient, the real with the unreal, and being with nonbeing. Simply put, spiritual suffering arises from the identification of our true nature with the limitations of body and mind. If we learn to witness the conditions of body and mind, whether painful or pleasurable, and not identify them as our own, we can go beyond all suffering.
Five Kleshas or Factors of Affliction
1 Avidya - ignorance of our true nature
2 Asmita - egoism or false identification of our inner being with the body and mind
3 Raga - attraction to the factors that bring us personal happiness
4 Dvesha - repulsion by the factors that bring us personal pain
5 Abhinivesha - clinging to bodily existence
Physical suffering comes to everyone because even the healthiest person must eventually get old and die. Similarly psychological suffering is there for everyone because life always has experiences that are not to our personal liking or preference. However, putting an end to spiritual suffering frees us from physical and psychological suffering - when we no longer identify our true being with the body and mind. Even if outer suffering occurs, the yogi no longer sees such pain as belonging to the yogi, but witnesses it from a higher awareness.
Moksha = liberation of the spirit, the highest goal of life in Indian philosophy
We all seek freedom from pain and limitation but confuse the freedom to get or do whatever we want with real freedom. Real freedom is freedom from fear, desire and attachment - freedom from body and mind. It is the freedom to be everything and exist forever. In this is both the end of suffering and realization of supreme joy.
The teaching of yoga has always relied upon an oral tradition directly passed on from guru to disciple. Yet yoga has extensive literature, too, extending into thousands of books primarily written in Sanskrit. The yoga literature is perhaps the largest and oldest spiritual literature in the world.
Besides the general meaning of yoga as inner practices to achieve union with the divine, there is a more specific meaning as one of the systems of Indian philosophy. Yoga Darshana (Sanskrit) is one of the six schools of Vedic philosophy that build their authority on the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.
The most commonly known text on yoga = Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, dating from ~ 300 BCE
The Five Yamas
The 5 yamas are primary yogic values, principles and observances. They mainly consist of forms of self-regulation. A yogic lifestyle is disciplined, control not by violence or force but by a higher aspiration.
1. Ahisma = nonviolence. our lifestyle causes minimal damage to the world around us, and aims to reduce the amount of harm that occurs
2. Satya = truthfulness. be true to ourselves and others. speak the truth. Promote the cause of truth in our actions and expressions
3. Asteya = nonstealing. not only on a physical level, but also psychologically. Do not take what doesn't belong to us. In the highest sense, nothing belongs to us. We are only stewards of nature's resources
4. Brachmacharya = celibacy or faithfulness. proper use of sexual energy, for creation
5. Aparigraha = nonpossessiveness. not accumulating unnecessary possessions outwardly or inwardly. not holding or clinging to thoughts and emotions
The Niyamas
1. Tapas - inner heat or fire. austerity or self-control to turn our awareness within
2. Svadyaya - study of what relates to oneself. fulfil one's individual dharma, one's unique psychophysical nature and particular orientation to the divine inherent in oneself, giving it a strong devotional component
3. Ishvara pranidhana - devotion to the divine presence. consecration of our energy to the cosmic power
4. Soaucha - purity. of body, mind and speed. Cleanliness of the body and mind. Vegetarian diet
5. Santosha - inner contentment. yoga arises from a pursuit of inner peace and happiness, not seeking external rewards, title or fame. be content with what we have, finding our happiness within
Prana vital energy. Asanas are about allowing the prana or cosmic life energy to flow through and revitalize us. Prana has a higher intelligence that aligns the body with the currents of universal life and consciousness.
Yoga asanas flow like the breath rather than as a series of specifically defined movement. Move through and with prana in our asana practice, letting the energy unfold.
In asana practice, be aware not only o four body, but our entire movement of thought and breath. Put the mind into a calm, witnessing state, making the body a vehicle for meditation.
Remain aware of our higher nature and our connection with the divine during asana practice rather than worry about how our bodies look
A real asana yogi can sit quietly, relaxed and aware, connected to the cosmic mind and prana w/o feeling a need to move or talk. True asana practice means to be seated in one's own nature, abiding in teh inner heart. Then our being becomes part of the asana and its stillness.
Real yoga rests upon integrating body, mind and spirit.
Practice yoga 1/2 hour or more in the AM, and a similar period later in the day.
Practice gently, with detachment. Let go of body consciousness, not increase it.
Practice asana with lightness, as if your body were made of light and energy
December 9, 2019
"Yoga encourages you to 'take the path that most directly leads you to experience the inner truth of your own nature.' Yoga is a universal teaching, conveying that the entire universe dwells within us. The entire universe-all time, space and existence-dwells in the small space within our hearts. Becoming that is yoga." 22
However, real yoga is about being rather than simply doing. Yoga teaches us to know ourselves, which is not a product of outer activity. It teaches us to contact our inner being, which is obscured by outer actions and pursuits. Yoga provides us a great revelation in this regard. We don't ultimately need to do anything at all to be happy; we need only to come to rest within our true nature. This resembles returning to the center of the universe, which everything else must move around!
Real yoga is about non-doing....Rest of page, photo. 32
To put it simply, spiritual suffering arises from the identification of our true nature with the limitations of body and mind. 33
We all seek freedom from pain and limitation but confuse the freedom to get or do whatever we want with real freedom. Real freedom is freedom from fear, desire and attachment-freedom from body and mind. It is freedom to be everything and exist forever. 34
Asana and exercise - photo - 59
The purpose of asana is to help us let go of body consciousness, not increase it. Classical yoga teaches us that too much fixation on asana can even become an obstacle to higher yoga practice. This occurs when our asana practice results in the creation of more body conciousness rather than less. Remember that the body has certain dullness or heaviness to it. If we dwell too much on the physical, the mind tends to get pulled down. Practice asana with lightness, as if your body were made of light and energy. 61
Pranayama in the morning opens energy and stimulates the mind and the senses. 64
We can compare junk impressions to junk food...malnutrition...Nature might be considered a natural pratyahara.
Consistently directing the mind, which is as changeable as the wind, is harder than controlling the body, which at least is fixed in form and structure. Mantras can change the patterns of our minds and prana, restructuring our life energies and expressions, and affording them higher levels of function. 93
Ayurveda - India's natural system of health and well being. 95
American Institute of Vedic Studies, Santa Fe, NM
www.vedanet.com
However, real yoga is about being rather than simply doing. Yoga teaches us to know ourselves, which is not a product of outer activity. It teaches us to contact our inner being, which is obscured by outer actions and pursuits. Yoga provides us a great revelation in this regard. We don't ultimately need to do anything at all to be happy; we need only to come to rest within our true nature. This resembles returning to the center of the universe, which everything else must move around!
Real yoga is about non-doing....Rest of page, photo. 32
To put it simply, spiritual suffering arises from the identification of our true nature with the limitations of body and mind. 33
We all seek freedom from pain and limitation but confuse the freedom to get or do whatever we want with real freedom. Real freedom is freedom from fear, desire and attachment-freedom from body and mind. It is freedom to be everything and exist forever. 34
Asana and exercise - photo - 59
The purpose of asana is to help us let go of body consciousness, not increase it. Classical yoga teaches us that too much fixation on asana can even become an obstacle to higher yoga practice. This occurs when our asana practice results in the creation of more body conciousness rather than less. Remember that the body has certain dullness or heaviness to it. If we dwell too much on the physical, the mind tends to get pulled down. Practice asana with lightness, as if your body were made of light and energy. 61
Pranayama in the morning opens energy and stimulates the mind and the senses. 64
We can compare junk impressions to junk food...malnutrition...Nature might be considered a natural pratyahara.
Consistently directing the mind, which is as changeable as the wind, is harder than controlling the body, which at least is fixed in form and structure. Mantras can change the patterns of our minds and prana, restructuring our life energies and expressions, and affording them higher levels of function. 93
Ayurveda - India's natural system of health and well being. 95
American Institute of Vedic Studies, Santa Fe, NM
www.vedanet.com
February 27, 2017
I read the book as part of a research project I'm involved with on yoga in the Western world and its intersection with Christianity. This book was helpful in understanding the traditional thinking behind yoga and the author was honest about its practice in the West. I'm sure I'll be quoting and referencing him in the finished article.
April 26, 2024
Handy little book! I’ve studied yoga since my teens but this book exposed me to a wide range of yogic branches that I was not previously aware of. I’ve been developing my meditation and breathwork practices, so these sections were especially helpful. I look forward to reading his other books.
June 23, 2017
A great read if you are looking for a succinct explanation of yoga beyond the asana poses. I was confused by the terminology at times, but it served its purpose as a quick review of yoga.
October 24, 2017
This is a beautiful book, nicely written, well organized and full of poignant explanations of yogic philosophy. Really great reference and an elegant edition.
May 8, 2018
Read super slowly. Lots of information re yoga.
April 14, 2020
This book was very informative into all the aspects of Yoga. If you are looking for a quick guide into what yoga is and it's history, then this is a great read.
May 13, 2020
Short as sweet - a condensed view of the wider view of yoga with greater emphasis on the practice away from the mainstream
September 17, 2020
I knew a little about yoga and now I know less. What we normally perceive as the physical aspects of yoga (poses and such) is just one of the eight limbs of yoga.
February 12, 2021
Very informative without being “too much”. Author haves tons of great information regarding each topic of yoga.
August 11, 2022
Good book for yogaphites to dive deeper into the world of yoga types.
May 25, 2025
This book isn’t an in-depth guide to how someone should be practicing yoga, but is definitely a brief why and where to begin introduction which was exactly what I was looking for.
May 27, 2010
This book is about the philosophy of yoga, and there is SO much information packed into it that I had to buy it so I could ruminate without having to renew it. Emphasizes that yoga as Westerners do it is only the first step, and that it is actually a fully developed philosophy and approach to life. Yoga is about being, not doing.
December 21, 2014
This very short book greatly increased my understanding of yoga in a small amount of time. I learned that yoga as a type of exercise is just a small part of the vast tradition of yoga. This book provides a broad overview of the many different facets of yoga, mainly from a historical perspective. I really liked the illustrations, but I would have preferred a larger type size.
May 24, 2013
An excellent and concise overview of everything yoga has to offer. It does not take long to breeze through this book, and after completing it you feel much more knowledgeable of the vast possibilities of the sacred practice.
August 25, 2016
Great introduction to the yoga tradition. Yoga is so vast and complex, attempting to summarize it concisely seems impossible. However, Frawley succeeded. Anyone interested in what lies behind asana will benefit from this little book.
July 13, 2013
A concise overview of the main styles of yoga and why people practice it. It helped me clarify which styles are better-suited for my interests, mind-set and goals.
October 18, 2015
A yoga primer filled with numerous facets of the tradition. A wonderful book recommended for any yoga enthusiast!
October 22, 2015
This book provides a good overview of yoga.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews