Meditations on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Elleke van Kraalingen
In the book “Meditations on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” Elleke van Kraalingen teaches us, with Patanjali, the causes of suffering and our liberation therefrom.
Elleke van Kraalingen has been teaching yoga and meditation for 35 years according to the eight steps of the classical Raja Yoga of Patanjali. Together with her husband, Pieter Hiemstra, she leads La Borde Blanque: a beautiful Center for Yoga, Meditation and Healing in the middle of nature at the feet of the Pyrenees in Southern France.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are among the oldest books of wisdom. They show us the way to our source, through the development and management of our consciousness. Today they are called ‘Mind Training’. They teach us about the causes of suffering and our liberation therefrom. They teach us about the essence of existence.
The knowledge that is transferred in the Sutras is universal and still relevant today. This book is clear and accessible and makes a friendly translation to the daily reality in our society. In addition, the book consists of two parts:
1. A translation of the Yoga Sutras with commentary and explanations, and references to reflections and meditations 2. A complete meditation exercise programme that follows the line of the eight steps in yoga, as described by Patanjali.
The different meditation programmes are offered in a structured sequence. Accompanying each meditation is a reference to matching sutras for further study. Ultimately life is not about factual knowledge from a book: It is our own inner experience that counts.
This book offers the reader a guide to train for relaxation, focusing the attention inward, concentration and meditation, and the development of intuition and wisdom
A book on the art of living.
Meditation, knowledge and insight
Meditation originated with the writer Elleke van Kraalingen when she was about 14 years old. To better understand what was happening she started reading about philosophy, religion and meditation. Two years later she took yoga classes to develop a foundation for her meditation.
Patanjali
To satisfy her desire for knowledge and understanding, her yoga teacher instructed her to study the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Although she didn't understand everything, the Yoga Sutras felt like a homecoming. From then on, at the age of eighteen, hitchhiking across Europe, Patanjali traveled in her backpack. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras were one of the most essential source books for her. The Sutras are timeless and topical. They point us to our source, through the development and control of our consciousness. Today they would be called Mind training. They teach us about the essence of existence. The Sutras teach us about the causes of suffering and its liberation.
Teachings
Elleke has now been teaching from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali for more than thirty years. Two years are devoted to the study of this book in teacher training. It uses Taimni's version, one of the most comprehensive and scholarly commentaries available. With commentary by A.A. Bailey, B.K.S. Iyengar, J.Dijkstra and Paramahamsa Yogananda as extra deeping. The students found it a difficult book every year. Time and time again she was asked to write her own commentary. But there are already so many translations and commentaries, why one more?
Practical
The intention of Elleke van Kraalingen is to bring this beautiful source of art of living closer to people and to make it practically applicable in daily life. That is why she has written appropriate meditations and exercises for many of the Sutras. Ultimately, it is not about the factual knowledge from a book, says Elleke. According to Patanjali, knowledge of words is only the lowest form of knowledge (H1, sutra 42). It is our own inner experience that counts! Elleke hopes that everyone will find their own way with the help of this book. She wishes you much joy, because yoga is a great gift.
Info www.bordeblanque.com Elleke van Kraalingen and Pieter Hiemstra
Meditations on the Yoga Sutras is now available through www.tattwa.nl, the bookshops, bol.com and amazon.
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