Yoga Also for the Godless

Description

Practitioners of the ancient science of yoga have long contended that you don't have to be a Hindu, in the conventional sense, to practise yoga, even though its origins lie in India. Renowned spiritual teacher, author, social reformer, educationist and global speaker Sri M goes a step further in this new and path-breaking book-he proves that, let alone belonging to a particular religion, one doesn't even need to believe in God to be a true yogi. One of the best-known Vedantic scholars of our times, he draws on his deep knowledge of ancient Indian scriptures to prove that the godless are as capable as the God-inspired of reaching the pinnacle of self-realisation and bliss through yoga. Based on a profound understanding of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, this is a step-by-step guide to the theory and practice of yoga for those who seek to know it better, and also for the young and the millennial, who may be stepping out for the first time. In lucid prose, with photographs for visual aid, Sri M takes us through the most complex notions of breath, body and posture with admirable brevity and clarity.

SRI M-spiritual teacher, social reformer, educationist and author-was born Mumtaz Ali into a Muslim family on 6 November 1949 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. His transformational journey from young boy to yogi, is a story of single-minded discipline and dedication. He established the Satsang Foundation twenty years ago as a meeting point for spiritual seekers of all persuasions. Conversant with the principles and beliefs of most major religions, Sri M's teachings seek to transcend the outer shell of all religions by exploring the core of their teachings and nurturing the innate goodness in every human being. Sri M's autobiography, Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogi's Autobiography, was published in 2011 and became an instant bestseller. Further, Journey Continues: A Sequel to Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master was published in 2017. Sri M has also authored several texts on the Upanishads, on meditation and a novel, Shunya. His latest book, On Meditation: Finding Infinite Bliss and Power Within, was published by Penguin Random House in 2019. All his books have been translated into numerous Indian languages. Among the many awards and honours he has received for his contribution to society, Sri M was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India, in January 2020 for distinguished service of high order in spirituality.