Exploring Ideas From Yogic Texts
Online discussions with Daniel Simpson
Sundays, 5:00 - 6:00 PM (UK)
Building on a recent book club (on Roots of Yoga), we’re meeting on Sundays to talk about themes from traditional texts with a practical focus.
Each chapter in Roots of Yoga draws on multiple sources to show how an aspect of practice developed. Among other subjects, they cover physical postures, control of the breath, the subtle body, meditation and liberation.
These sessions will do something similar, exploring ideas from a range of texts — both ancient and modern. Readings will be shared in advance, then we’ll discuss them together. We’ll also reflect on ways to apply what they teach.
Format
Upcoming topics include:
May 3 - UNDERSTANDING GUNAS
All material things — including the workings of the mind — are made up of three “qualities”: the gunas of sattva, rajas and tamas. Although liberation involves their transcendence, their characteristics are also a framework for getting less tangled in worldly suffering.
MAy 10 - NON-HARMING AND TRUTH
The first two precepts of classical yoga were also the basis of Gandhi’s politics. Their combination is said to be the essence of sanatana dharma, the “eternal doctrine” — a common synonym for Hinduism. How might they be balanced in twenty-first-century daily life?
MAY 17 - EMBODIED AWARENESS
Modern teachers of mindfulness and postural yoga highlight ways of paying closer attention to physical experience. But what do ancient texts have to say about cultivating bodily presence? How might that relate to contemporary methods of “being here now”?
We meet on Zoom, with the link sent by email to registered participants. Audio recordings are also provided. To join us, please fill in the form via the button below. Each session costs £10, to be paid in advance by PayPal (using this link) or bank transfer (see booking form for details).
Further Reading
Click the image below to find out more about our recent book club and some of the subjects we discussed.
