Light on Life: The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom (Iyengar Yoga Books)
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.
Reviews (377)
Beautiful and inspiring
"This is not yoga by the body for the body, but yoga by the body for the mind, for the intelligence." I loved this book. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I bought it; I only knew that I am a yoga (asana) addict and Iyengar is sort of the father of western yoga, so I thought perhaps I would read the book about his philosophy. I am so glad I did. I can't say things better than Iyengar himself, so here are some quotes. Overall, if you're on the fence about whether to get this book, I would say get it and you probably will be glad you did. "We must discover what each sheath of being longs for and nourish it according to its subtle appetites." Ego is the "small, selfish creature you normally take yourself for." Pratyahara, the inward turning of the senses, "makes the mind shut up so we can concentrate." "Consciousness can be compared to a lens. Its inner surface faces the soul itself, and its outer surface comes into contact with the world. Inevitably a degree of grime attaches itself to that outer surface and obscures our vision." "When awareness is linked to intelligence, we are able to see with absolute honesty." "When you start yoga, you are probably living in your mind and emotions, a never-ending Internet chat room. You read books and articles on what best to eat and how to exercise, reading material that any wild animal would scorn. But you do not know how to live, only what you desire. Instinct is dulled." "Yoga insists on examining, scientifically and without value judgment, what can go wrong and why, and how to stop it. It is organic farming of the self--for the self." "Those who are on the verge of enlightenment will be tempted from the path even by angels." Meditation is "bringing the turbulent sea to a state of flat calm.... When you ruffle the waters, you create. You create everything in the manifest world, from nuclear war to Mozart's symphonies. The yogi is journeying in the opposite direction, from the world of things and events, which are so joyful, painful, baffling, and unending, back to the point of stillness before the waves were ruffled." "Before we can understand the Universal Soul, we must understand our own, and before we understand our soul, we must explore all that eclipses our true selves, especially the wily 'I' that takes on a thousand disguises to distract us." "We want to be immortal. We know in our hearts that we are. But we throw it all away by misidentifying with all that is perishable and transient." "Freedom is about dropping the shackles of fear and desire." "What we call consumer choice is not a choice but a selection. It offers only an illusion of freedom. The choice to consume has already been made." "An opinion is yesterday's right or wrong knowledge warmed up and re-served for today's situation." “The mind is a bottomless pit, like a black hole. Stop trying to fill it as it cannot be filled. Go beyond the bottomless pit to realize the soul.” "To take joy in the well-being of others is to share in the riches of the world."
One of the best books I ever read!
This book was nothing short of amazing. I was in awe by the way this man lived and his ethics. Such a humble and compassionate individual. He started his book by saying he hopes that his end can be the reader/seekers beginning. But I would be utterly grateful to become a portion of what he was. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what is true yoga. I pay obeisance to the author.
Unbearable
I don’t leave books unfinished often but this book didn’t feel right. I read 47 pages of the same thing over and over said different. In asana you should feel this and this and this.... Should and shouldn’t are not the way I like to look at yoga. I wanted to finish it out of respect for the guru but I had to respect myself and how utterly bored I was of the same thing repeated time and again.
Inspiring and Highly Readable
This is an important and accessible book on the life and philosophy and yoga practice of Mr. Iyengar. Highly readable and inspiring. He is a proponent of yoga for everyone no matter your age. I practice the method he developed with Iyengar certified yoga instructors and truly believe it is the best and safest form of yoga. Reading this book by the master himself has deepened my practice and inspired me in many non yoga areas of my life as well.
Iyengar knows
What's not to love about Iyengar's view on life? Enjoyable read, lots of quotable quotes. Practical advice for many parts of life.
A serious book
This book is by far one of the best on Yoga. It's a bit long on certain subjects, but tons of information. I read it every other day other wise there is just too much info for me. The section on breathing ( pranayama ) is worth the price of this book. Want to move up to the next level in yoga? Buy this book.
Inspiring presentationN of yoga tenets
Whether or not you are a student of yoga, this lovely book has nuggets of wisdom from the thousands-years-old Yoga teachings assembled by Patanjali. Still relevant today for the sensible advice it offers anyone desiring a better relationship with themselves and others.
but I am so in love with Mr
Still reading, but I am so in love with Mr. Iyengar already!
Such an awesome book!
Provides great perspective on life as it pertains to yoga practice. I am fortunate to have found a yoga teacher that teaches his methods in a very serious manner and I can't express how awesome it has been! Even if you can't find the teacher, read the book and watch hs Youtube vids, you will learn a ton!
Change your perspective on yoga
This book is very well written and Mr. Iyengar clearly dispels any thoughts that the Iyengar school of yoga is simply about precise physical alignment. This book systematically describes the philosophy and psychology of yoga journey. There is a quote that is something like yoga is a journey to god, it has physical health and happiness as a by product. My personal experience with Iyengar teachers is simple: you will not get hurt. I believe that is behind the focus on technique and alignment. I have not seen this in other popular schools of yoga. No one living has Mr. Iyengar's street cred, but two other writers I have read seem to have a similar focus:
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