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Light on Life  By  cover art

Light on Life

By: John J. Evans,Douglas Abrams,B. K. S. Iyengar
Narrated by: Patricia Walden
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Publisher's summary

B.K.S. Iyengar, hailed as "the Michelangelo of yoga" (BBC) and considered by many to be the most important living yoga master, has spent much of his life introducing the modern world to the ancient practice of yoga. Yoga's popularity is soaring, but its widespread acceptance as an exercise for physical fitness and the recognition of its health benefits have not been matched by an understanding of the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development that the yogic tradition can also offer. In Light on Life, B.K.S. Iyengar explains this new and more complete understanding of the yogic journey.

Here Iyengar explores the yogic goal to integrate the different parts of the self (body, emotions, mind, and soul); the role that the yoga postures and breathing techniques play in our search for wholeness; the external and internal obstacles that keep us from progressing along the path; and how yoga can transform our lives and help us to live in harmony with the world around us.

For the first time, Iyengar uses stories from his own life, humor, and examples from modern culture to illustrate the profound gifts that yoga offers. Written with the depth of this sage's great wisdom, Light on Life is the culmination of a master's spiritual genius, a treasured companion to his seminal Light on Yoga.

©2005 B.K.S. Iyengar (P)2005 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

"Highly recommended for those advanced on the path and interested in learning from a master of flexibility and wisdom." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Light on Life

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Audible, please give us more like this book

This is a yoga and spiritual classic . . . lovingly narrated by a western yogini, Patricia Walden. Wish it were available in the original, non-abridged version, though. It is too good to abridge, which is an insult to the author. I only got this one because it was all that was available; abridged was better than nothing. Personally, I would love to see more Audible inventory in this and similar genres. These types of books are deserving of serious study and engagement, and they go far beyond just an "entertaining" read. More like this please, Audible!!!

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51 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This is an abridged version and should clearly say so.

I highly recommend this book to all yoga enthusiasts and am frustrated that the audiobook is an abridged version of this modern classic. Why?

I appreciate Patricia Walden's narration: Her voice is clear and her pronunciation of Sanskrit impeccable. (The audiobook is worth the price just to hear the correct pronunciation of the Sanskrit words.)

This ABRIDGED audiobook is a companion to the text but is not a substitute.

Please publish a FULL version!

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35 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Just what I needed.

I started doing yoga just for relaxation and flexibility and this book expanded on other areas of yoga that improved my over all understanding and appreciation for the practice.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

beautiful wise words

What did you love best about Light on Life?

I loved the way it was structured. From the start to end you are building your knowledge and learning so so much. He uses fantastic metaphors that bring his ideas into the modern world & make them simple to grasp.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Light on Life?

When he speaks about his late wife. He said that his soul loved her soul. They way he speaks about her warmed my heart and really demonstrated how these teachings lead one to live a life that I am at a loss of words to describe but still aspire to.

Have you listened to any of Patricia Walden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not. I did not really like her voice at the start but by the end I found it very soothing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I listened to it in the car on my 1 hr commute. I actually listened to it chapter by chapter, often re-listening to half of a chapter before moving on.

Any additional comments?

This is a fantastic book, I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in moving in a holistic direction in life.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Content, Poor Narration

What did you love best about Light on Life?

Iyengar is a master with relaying the nexus between physical, emotional and spiritual health. I enjoyed the way he includes the benefits of yoga to bring our wholeness together.

What didn’t you like about Patricia Walden’s performance?

Patricia Walden never took a breath. There was no inflection in her voice so it sounded monotonous after awhile. I never knew when a sentence, paragraph, or chapter began and ended.

Any additional comments?

The audio begins late, we do not start at the very beginning of the book. Somehow it starts at some midway point....

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Oh My God .. literally and figuratively !!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a must have book. Amazing insights. Patricia Waldon does a good job in her reading. This book has so many profound comments that I keep coming back to it and I will keep referring for the rest of my life.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Difficult to pay attention to

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The content is fine, it's just really difficult to pay attention to the reader. I understand this is not a "story" and that it's an informational book, but there's absolutely no inflection in the reader's voice. She drones on and on and it's particularly difficult to listen and actually pay attention.

What did you like best about this story?

The content is very valuable to a student of yoga.

Would you be willing to try another one of Patricia Walden’s performances?

No.

Do you think Light on Life needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Unsure.

Any additional comments?

I've been meaning to read this book and just haven't had the time, so I was delighted to find an audiobook recording of it. However, I ignored the other reviews commenting on the monotonous tone of the reader, thinking that it wouldn't bother me. I think the content is very valuable, but I also think that it would be much more meaningful if the individual just read the book him or herself... I found that listening to this audio recording felt much more like a chore than something of interest to me.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring!

I will listen to this again and again.. Beautifully and eloquently written. Patricia Walden does justice to the narration - pleasant voice. I would recommend it to anyone.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Missing content?!

What would have made Light on Life better?

Maybe if the rest of the book was available?

What didn’t you like about Patricia Walden’s performance?

Monotone voice.

Any additional comments?

Where is all the content? When I pay for an audio book, I expect the ENTIRE book, not 3/4ths of it. I have the paperback copy, and this audible book is missing a lot of the content.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

An OK book, but hopefully the start of a trend

What was one of the most memorable moments of Light on Life?

Usually, if I look back at a book, I remember at least a couple of things I really took away from it, sometimes more if it was a really good book. I listened to Light on Life shortly before listening to Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha. Couldn't really tell anyone much about Light on Life, but Siddhartha, I remember good portions of it.

I don't think Light on Life was awful, it just never kicked in and offered any fantastic insights.

That said, if this type of material interests you, I do think there is some value in going ahead and getting this book. If for no other reason, we need to show there is a market for Indian authors...READ BY PROFESSIONAL READERS!

Have you listened to any of Patricia Walden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Reader was fine.

Any additional comments?

If you haven't listened to it, get Siddhartha.

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2 people found this helpful