Summer 2003

ANS s372 • Yoga as Philosophy and Practice

Course Description

This course begins with a survey of the earliest Indian texts where the word ‘yoga’ appears, which are called Upanishads, “mystic teachings,” and an examination of Upanishadic philosophical ideas associated with yoga practice. We shall proceed to read carefully the YOGA-SUTRA (YS) by Patanjali, where raja-yoga is propounded, as well as the BHAGAVAD-GITA which teaches a tri-marga of karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, and bhakti-yoga. We shall look at the YS both as expressing a metaphysics and as a “how-to book” on yogic practice, focusing on certain bridge psychological concepts and theories. Through examining the GITA, we shall try to appreciate the appropriation of yogic techniques by other classical outlooks (Yogacara Buddhism, Advaita Vendanta, and so on) and by religious sects. We shall also look at yoga and Tantra and a book on Tantric psychology (to be determined).

Texts

Patanjali (tr. Iyengar) The Yogasutra The Bhagavad-Gita A book on Tantric psychology (to be determined) Packet of photocopies

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