The Truth of Yoga with Daniel Simpson

In this wide-ranging conversation with Daniel Simpson we explore questions around how to make use of texts such as The Yoga-Sutra which come from a world-denying, renunciate worldview extolling dis-embodiment and celibacy in a contemporary yoga practice setting which prioritizes embodiment and tends toward body and sex positivity. What elements should be adapted, which should be fully integrated, and what should be rejected as inappropriate for our purposes? Along the way we discuss the ground-breaking work of scholars such as Georg Feurstein, and more recent scholarship from people like Mark Singleton and James Mallinson.

We touch upon the neo-liberal focus on the self that has become such a driving force in both contemporary yoga and mindfulness and use sutra 1.33 regarding the "four immeasurables" (aka 'four brahma-viharas) to distinguish the more isolationist project of Classical Yoga and the pro-social project of Buddhist Yoga. In turning toward a more general discussion on dharma, political concerns arise with examples from Brexit and illiberal so-called "progressive" authoritarianism that lead to ever increasing discord and polarization are touched upon. We end with Daniel's "origin story" filled with at least two of the classic "sex, drugs, and rock and roll."

LINKS:

Our previous discussion on Daniel's podcast: Ancient Futures

My conversation with Scott Johnson on Scott's podcast: Still Points

Daniel's conversation with Scott Johnson on Scott's podcast: Still Points

Daniel's Ancient Futures Website

My review of The Truth of Yoga at Goodreads

The Yoga Tradition by Georg Feurerstein

Roots of Yoga by James Mallinson and Mark Singleton

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Satchidananda

The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali by Chip Hartranft

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