The Wisdom of Yoga

A Seeker's Guide to Extraordinary Living

By: Stephen Cope

Narrated by: Christopher Grove

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

While many Westerners still think of yoga as an invigorating series of postures and breathing exercises, these physical practices are only part of a vast and ancient spiritual science. For more than three millennia, yoga sages systematically explored the essential questions of our human existence: What are the root causes of suffering, and how can we achieve freedom and happiness? What would it be like to function at the maximum potential of our minds, bodies, and spirits? What is an optimal human life?

Nowhere have their discoveries been more brilliantly distilled than in a short - but famously difficult - treatise called the Yogasutra. This revered text lays out the entire path of inner development in remarkable detail - ranging from practices that build character and mental power to the highest reaches of spiritual realization.

Now, Stephen Cope unlocks the teachings of the Yogasutra by showing them at work in the lives of a group of friends and fellow yoga students who are confronting the full modern catastrophe of careers, relationships, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Interweaving their daily dilemmas with insights from modern psychology, neuroscience, religion, and philosophy, he shows the astonishing relevance and practicality of this timeless psychology of awakening.

©2006 Stephen Cope (P)2021 Tantor

Great explanation of Yoga

I found myself relating to different aspects of each character and it helped me have some great aha moments on my own yoga path

Loved this book

I’ve read Stephen Cope’s the great Work of Your Life more than once and have recommended it to others. The Wisdom of Yoga was recommended to me twice in one day. A good sign. First from an an interview I listened to by Yoga Nidra teacher, Kelly Boys and later that day Dr Bessel van de Kolk who mentioned Stephen’s book in an interview on he had with Aspen Words. I was not disappointed and have already recommended the wisdom of yoga to others. So for me, it was ‘not too much’ but whet my appetite for more from this author. I resonate deeply with writing that weaves ancient wisdom with present time circumstances and the application of the wisdom by multiple people in various situations. So yes. I loved it. Keep writing Stephen! And thank you.

excellent

so great. and very informative. especially for a yoga teacher this opens up ways to explain yoga philosophy to other students.

Yoga MUST READ FOR ALL

Yogi or not….. you must read this book. It’s for everyone (and so is Yoga :)

Not what I thought it would be about

I was hoping to learn more about the meaning of yoga postures, how they came about, and how they can benefit us. I regularly practice yoga, and I was hoping to learn more about the benefits of the practice, both physical and mental. instead, this book focuses more on the spiritual aspect and history of yoga. I found this treatise to lack correlation to the yoga practice that is taught in the US.

Kind of a snoozer

There were some interesting moments in this book but for the most part I had a difficult time feeling engaged with the material

A Great Piece Of Work Or Is It Too Much?

I found this to be a great piece of work however rather boring. The writing style appears way too scholarly and it reads like literature. I found it way too dense, overinclusive and dramatic. Aspiring to a lot of these concepts appears so unrealistic, exhausting and unnecessary. Who needs this much personal growth in order to successfully navigate and live a satisfying and fulfilling life? I would prefer a way watered down version of this book with tools I can apply in my everyday life and in my yoga practice. With that said, I salute this author who is clearly brilliant.