Student's Guide to the History and Philosophy of Yoga

Peter Connolly holds BA, MA and PhD degrees in Comparative Religion and Philosophy from the University of Lancaster and a BSc in Psychology from the Open University. From the late 1960's until the mid 1980's he studied and practiced a variety of meditational techniques, ranging from the devotional style of the Divine Light Mission and the Radha Soami Satsang to Tibetan Lam Rim and the more austere approach of Thravada insight meditation as well as some shamanic methods. He has taught Indian religion and philosophy on BA and MA courses for over 30 years and has worked with various yoga organisations throughout that time. He is interested in how people go about constructing histories of yoga and the methods they use for making sense of yoga texts. He is also fascinated by all forms of altered states of consciousness and has trained in both Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnosis, both of which offer an interesting perspective on the psychology of yoga.

• Introduction 1. Background to Yoga Philosophy 2. Yoga in the Texts of the Veda 3. The Sramanic Traditions: Jainism and Buddhism 4. The Epics and the Bhagavad Gita 5. The Orthodox Philosophical Systems 6. Sectarian Developments: Saivism, Saktism and Tantra 7. Modern Yoga 8. Some Reflections on the Psychology of Yoga 9. Whither Modern Yoga in the West?

reviews of the first edition: '...accessible, engaging and instructive for the inquiring, practical student of Yoga. ...The plentiful, extensive extracts from the primary texts, the scholarly background which contextualizes them, and the clarity of presentation throughout all confirm Connolly as a skilful teacher and will make his Guide a valuable resource for students of Yoga in the West.' International Journal of Hindu Studies 'Connelly's book offers something for students at many levels of inquiry on this ancient, and now modern, discipline.' Metapsychology 'In his introduction to the history of yoga traditions Peter Connolly skillfully guides the reader through the complexities of these traditions, demonstrating their historical relationships and their theoretical coherence. Intended for all students of yoga, this text provides a well written, thought-provoking and engaging account.' Professor Gavin Flood, University of Stirling 'Offers an excellent text on Yoga that will appeal to students, teachers, and practitioners. Highly recommended.' Choice 'Connolly's reach is broad and his vision acute.' Religious Studies Review