Customer Reviews

Dreams of the Soul: The Yogi Sutras of Patanjali

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I give this book a TEN because it has aided me in my own spiritual journey. It is amazing how the mind works. Dr. Condron's book gives incredible insight to the cause and effect actions of the mind. I didn't realize all that unfolds as I practice concentration and meditation. It's like opening a door to paradise. Greg Hoeflicker

I have read many translations of Patanjali now. These interpretations in some instances stray far from the sutra meaning. In other instances, the cross references with Christian and Biblical references may help those not familiar with things Eastern. There is no reference to the original Sanskrit words and roots that I find essential in understanding the meanings. I believe that this is a good first book for those who have little exposure to Indian scripture. I would hope people would find their interest piqued enough by this book to go deeper.

The observation that the Taj Mahal, depicted on the front cover, is an Islamic monument and not a Hindu one, is certainly correct, but I think its use at a cover for a translation of the sutras of Patanjali is brilliant. The Moghul emperors of India, one of whom had the Taj built, were mostly Sufis and dedicated to finding principles commonly held by ALL religions in their domain, the major ones being Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jain, Christianity. For the author to explore these common links within the text of this book in the context of the sutras is useful for those just starting to explore the underpinnings of Yoga philosophy or the roots of Buddhism. His new-agey, faux-history of Atlantis and its supposed connection to culture, language, and scriptures of India in the introduction can be easily dismissed. Yes, Barbara Miller's translation is superior, but this one is not at all bad.

Why are Patanjali's classical Yoga Sutras suddenly called YogI Sutras? How can somebody mis-spell a classic? Imagine calling Milton's 'Paradise Lost' as 'Paradise Loser'. Weird. Or may be not. May be it's plain ignorance.

Most egregious in terms of the ignorance begins with the use of an Islamic tomb (Taj) on the cover of a most sacred Hindu classic. Yes, in spite of countless Hindu motifs, pictures, and sculptures being very easily accessible. Did the author ever hear of AUM?

Hindu spiritual practices were brutally punished by the Islamic conquerors as what they called "false religion" of non-believers and the practitioners slaughtered by the thousands. No offence meant to a practising Muslim yogi, if any at all, but why, say, publish a Bible with a picture of the Kaaba at Mecca on its cover?

Stop muddling up. If one does not know, then learning instead of writing is often a better option. Barbara Miller and many others have done good jobs in translating the timeless Sutras. Spare this wacky Shah Jahan school of Islamic Yoga.