Secrets of Happiness
This book sold in September 2010 - It is no longer available.
We wish we had more time for books. We buy them, we sell them, we even read them. Here is an example of one of our books that appears to have a little of everything in terms of happiness and tranquility. We should contemplate it at leisure, but we have to glance at it and move on to the next book. But we tooks some time glancing at the book again when it came to the top of our pile of books in storage. It is a contemporary translation of a work written centuries ago by a Yogi from somewhere in India with the name Svatmarama. We don't want to quote extensively from the work, just a few lines from the opening verses. The book has the actual Sanskrit verse followed by an English translation by Brian Dana Akers in English. Sometimes profound things can be found in just some simple words. In order to be a yogi, in this case an aspiring student of Hatha Yoga one must at least know some background. Some people in America and Europe are alarmed by yoga, because it has many cultural and religious overtones, but many people now take it to be a form of exercise and it is offered even in public gymnasiums. The presentation in this work "The Hatha Yoga Pradipika" emphasizes the asanas, which are translated by the word "poses" which many are familiar with.
The book starts with some advice to the would-be student, who hopefully has already started on his or her path by locating a teacher who is knowledgeable. This is where the "book" part of the activity becomes difficult, since it can only approximate, in many people's estimation, the actual knowledge that can be passed on by a teacher. This is true in other physical disciplines like Akido and Karate, where a few sessions with a teacher can provide an accelerated path to accomplishment. But it is helpful to read books, since they provide both insight and advice. Here are a few verses about where to live to start as a person who practices yoga, the yogi:
The Hatha Yogi should live in a secluded hut free of stones, fire, dampness to a distance of four cubits in a country that is properly governed,virtuous, prosperous and peaceful.
There is more information about the physical layout, that it should be clean, with a low door, and so on, but part of the subtle message of the book is that one's dwelling should be simple and in a peaceful place. And the part about the governance and virtue of the country is something to reflect on as well. Not from our contemporary politically charged world, but because the energy and harmony of one's environment probably has an impact on the development of our physical and mental abilities. So even a small room, a hut might be sufficient to find happiness, if one goes about it the right way. And that the people in the area should be helpful to this goal.
And perhaps a few words that could be taken as a remonstration to our contemporary life:
Yoga perishes by these six: overeating, overexertion, talking too much, performing needless austerities, socializing, and restlessness.
Though times have changed since the 15th Century when this work was originally written, and austerity is probably not a problem now for most, the other five are probably established as universal bad habits for health and mental tranquility, and the warning about "talking too much" is probably something people now probably would not even consider to be a hindrance. So, this book, in its concise way might be something of an antidote to our contemporary, if somewhat wayward way of life. Click on the picture below if you want to purchase our intriguing copy:
We wish we had more time for books. We buy them, we sell them, we even read them. Here is an example of one of our books that appears to have a little of everything in terms of happiness and tranquility. We should contemplate it at leisure, but we have to glance at it and move on to the next book. But we tooks some time glancing at the book again when it came to the top of our pile of books in storage. It is a contemporary translation of a work written centuries ago by a Yogi from somewhere in India with the name Svatmarama. We don't want to quote extensively from the work, just a few lines from the opening verses. The book has the actual Sanskrit verse followed by an English translation by Brian Dana Akers in English. Sometimes profound things can be found in just some simple words. In order to be a yogi, in this case an aspiring student of Hatha Yoga one must at least know some background. Some people in America and Europe are alarmed by yoga, because it has many cultural and religious overtones, but many people now take it to be a form of exercise and it is offered even in public gymnasiums. The presentation in this work "The Hatha Yoga Pradipika" emphasizes the asanas, which are translated by the word "poses" which many are familiar with.
The book starts with some advice to the would-be student, who hopefully has already started on his or her path by locating a teacher who is knowledgeable. This is where the "book" part of the activity becomes difficult, since it can only approximate, in many people's estimation, the actual knowledge that can be passed on by a teacher. This is true in other physical disciplines like Akido and Karate, where a few sessions with a teacher can provide an accelerated path to accomplishment. But it is helpful to read books, since they provide both insight and advice. Here are a few verses about where to live to start as a person who practices yoga, the yogi:
The Hatha Yogi should live in a secluded hut free of stones, fire, dampness to a distance of four cubits in a country that is properly governed,virtuous, prosperous and peaceful.
There is more information about the physical layout, that it should be clean, with a low door, and so on, but part of the subtle message of the book is that one's dwelling should be simple and in a peaceful place. And the part about the governance and virtue of the country is something to reflect on as well. Not from our contemporary politically charged world, but because the energy and harmony of one's environment probably has an impact on the development of our physical and mental abilities. So even a small room, a hut might be sufficient to find happiness, if one goes about it the right way. And that the people in the area should be helpful to this goal.
And perhaps a few words that could be taken as a remonstration to our contemporary life:
Yoga perishes by these six: overeating, overexertion, talking too much, performing needless austerities, socializing, and restlessness.
Though times have changed since the 15th Century when this work was originally written, and austerity is probably not a problem now for most, the other five are probably established as universal bad habits for health and mental tranquility, and the warning about "talking too much" is probably something people now probably would not even consider to be a hindrance. So, this book, in its concise way might be something of an antidote to our contemporary, if somewhat wayward way of life. Click on the picture below if you want to purchase our intriguing copy:
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