Yoga Also for the Godless

by Sri M.

Practitioners of the ancient science of yoga have long contended that you don't have to be a Hindu, in the conventional sense, to practise yoga, even though its origins lie in India. Renowned spiritual teacher, author, social reformer, educationist and global speaker Sri M goes a step further in this new and path-breaking book-he proves that, let alone belonging to a particular religion, one doesn't even need to believe in God to be a true yogi. One of the best-known Vedantic scholars of our times, he draws on his deep knowledge of ancient Indian scriptures to prove that the godless are as capable as the God-inspired of reaching the pinnacle of self-realisation and bliss through yoga.
Based on a profound understanding of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, this is a step-by-step guide to the theory and practice of yoga for those who seek to know it better, and also for the young and the millennial, who may be stepping out for the first time. In lucid prose, with photographs for visual aid, Sri M takes us through the most complex notions of breath, body and posture with admirable brevity and clarity.

Genres: Spirituality

Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2020

About the author

Sri M (born Mumtaz Ali Khan), who was born a Muslim, was attracted to Vedic teachings at an early age. He met his Guru at the age of 9 and left home at 19 to live in the Himalayas, where he met many saints and sages before living with his Guru for three years. M has been associated with the famous Rishi Valley School as a former trustee of the Krishnamurti Foundation. Rather than choosing any specific religion or tradition, M teaches the universal essence of all religions.

M is founder of the Satsang Foundation. When asked about the Foundation and its purposes, he responded, “Satsang, which in Sanskrit, translates to holy company. Satsang is important because it is in keeping holy company that we overcome all circumstances and distractions, attain our true purpose of life, and uplift the world. By keeping holy company, not only with saints and sages and with other sincere spiritual seekers, but most importantly and with our True Self, our own Soul, we achieve deeper access and ultimate union with the Divine Essence. That is the goal of all prayer, meditation and spiritual practice, as well as all religions.”

He is a spiritual teacher and Guru to many and he teaches Kriya Yoga, the Upanishads and Sri Vidya Upasana. He lives in Madnapalle, Andhra Pradesh (near Bangalore) and travels around India and the World teaching and taking students on regular Yatras to sacred places.

Reviews

[Nisarg Rajguru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with an easy to understand translation of original texts of ‘ yoga sutra ‘. It was fascinating to know how little emphasis our ancient yoga philosophy put on the importance of god figure for one’s spiritual growth. It also debunks all the myths floating around yoga. It has very practical and straightforward explanation to almost all the questions a seeker would get on his spiritual journey. My personal favourite chapter was Vibhuti pada which mainly talks about all the mystical power one might get on his spiritual path. This book however doesn’t have more practical tools of yoga for daily practice because Sri M says its best if you learn it from a teacher but if you are interested in the philosophy of yoga ( ultimate union ) then this book is really worth the read.

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

One common philosophical question regarding yoga is to what degree it is, in itself, religious. This has been argued by various sects from within Yoga, with some seeing Yoga without belief as oxymoronic and others arguing that the metaphysics of Yoga is essentially Samkhya (an atheistic philosophy.) Outsiders to Yoga have also had their say, as with the Roman Catholic Church telling its practitioners that the practice of Yoga is incongruent with that of Catholicism.

This book's author takes on the question by examining what yoga is according to historic texts, specifically the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and then considering whether the practice that is laid out necessitates a belief in a deity, deities, or the supernatural. As one can tell from the title, Sri M (born Mumtaz Ali) argues that belief in divinity is not essential to the practice of Yoga.

Those who've read various commentaries on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras will find this book at best familiar and at worst just another set of Sutra commentaries. Sri M's book is not just Yoga Sutra commentaries, but that does take up a fair amount of the page space. The early chapters focus more on the thesis question.

If you're interested in the question of whether Yoga is inherently theistic, this is a fine book to investigate. It's a quick read and draws heavily on sutras and scriptures (and, thus, is not just the author's opinion.)

[Uthara Balraj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book that clarifies most of the layman doubts related to understading of classical Yoga. More than a mere read, this book should be used as textbook for everyday-reference for regular practitioners of yoga. Narrated in simple language, it's loaded with ancient knowledge, wisdom and purpose of Yoga.

[Craig Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read !

Great book ! Very deep lots to ponder and meditate on. Sri M is so knowledgeable and has a great way of breaking down things where someone like me can actually understand it

[Viswajeeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest books I've ever read on this science. An eye opener!

[Josh Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the heading says. This book is an eye opener for all

[Bibliophilist · Rating 4 out of 5]

will post review soon

[Nithi C.J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pantajali Yoga Sutras in the most simplistic way!!! Thank you so much for creating this 🙏🏻❤️!

[Shreela Sen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an introductory book to Yoga,
& does a very good job of satisfying the basic curiosity, as well as building interest.
& it delivers on its promise of being non- preachy.

[Megha · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I go deeper into my quest for spiritual enlightenment, I observe the universe pushing me in a specific direction, which at moment seems to be to study Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

Some time back my uncle gave me Swami Vivekananda's commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. I skimmed through the book, and it piqued my interest. A few months back, as I watched the introduction video of Swasth Yog's Being In Yog (Psychology) workshop, something clicked at the mention of 'Patanjali's Yoga Sutras'. It was a wonderful workshop where we learnt the key aspects of the yoga sutras and how to apply them in our daily life.

And recently, when YouTube suggested one of Sri M's videos and it happened to be a talk on his book 'Yoga also for the Godless', I knew it was a sign.

Sri M's detailed sutra by sutra explanation and adequate background on the science of yoga is the perfect introduction to the ancient wisdom of Yoga. Unfortunately, the modern terminology of 'yoga' is limited and constricted to physical asanas only. It fails to comprehend the vastness of the knowledge which encompasses spiritual, psychological, mental, emotional states, apart from the physical state.

This book opens a window to this vastness and allows you to breathe in the wisdom of our sages.

Here are some of my key highlights from this book:

"The definition of yoga .... is the art of clearing the mind of all distractions and conflicts."

"Enlightenment or Kaivalya, the culmination of yogic practices, occurs when the mind frees itself from the conditioning influence of Prakriti and enjoys its original, infinite freedom and bliss resting in Purusha alone."

"Wisdom is not acquired from outside but is revealed from within when various conditionings are removed."

"The key to unlocking this vast, almost omniscient potential is yoga."