Into the Heart of Truth: The Spirit of Relational Yoga [Paperback]

John McAfee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2001

A description of Relational Yoga. The book outlines the history of Yoga and provides practices to help the reader develop in-depth self-awareness. It explains the relationship of Yoga to all of life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Woodland Publications; First Edition edition (July 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971156913
• ISBN-13: 978-0971156913
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #957,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Who is he writing to?, January 9, 2003

By 

Barbara Klein (Basalt, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Into the Heart of Truth: The Spirit of Relational Yoga (Paperback)

This book has wonderful illustrations: figures from eastern spiritual traditions that capture all the mystery and complexity of the subject. Unfortunately, the author does not refer to these figures or incorporate their complexities into his text. I always bristle when someone starts going on about what "We" think and feel. This author's overuse of the "We" construction is particularly annoying because the audience he envisions is a collection of besotted sensualists. No, Mr. McAfee, my personal relationships do not all eventually disintegrate into jealousy and possessiveness. I am very sorry for you if yours do. At one point, McAfee suggests that the reader go to a cocktail party and refrain from drinking, "just as an experiment" to see how stupid everyone else sounds. Who over the age of 25 has not had this experience? Furthermore, these admonitions strike me as awfully self-righteous. We all have our own personal demons.

It seems quite odd that someone writing a book purporting to be about the yoga of relationships would assume, as McAfee does, that his readers have never questioned the nature of the self, or even that they do not understand that the image of the self carried in the conscious mind is an illusion. This idea is the very heart of yoga.

There is little substance in this book. The author's comments about meditation at the conclusion are worthwhile, but most students of yoga will already be aware of the techniques he suggests. If you are interested in the concept of the self in yoga, I suggest "Raja-Yoga," by Swami Vivekananda. This an astonishingly insightful series of essays written around the turn of the century followed by a very cogent commentary on the Sutras of Patanjali.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but I find something a bit odd..., May 12, 2004

By 

d0hc (OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into the Heart of Truth: The Spirit of Relational Yoga (Paperback)

While a bit ambiguous in some parts the book over all would be a great complement to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the self and especially so when combined with their YOGA practice.
I find it odd that the first review thanks the author directly as if they know him and that many of the first reviews only point out the "greatness" of the book. With apparently no critical view points at all. The second is from some one from the same area where the relational yoga center (The place where the author trains) is based out of. The third is from a Jennifer Irwin from WA which happens to be the same name as the person who directed the relational yoga DVD. They are also written within days of each other. I do find this odd and concerning... while I have seen the "review bating" done before I would not expect it from this source IF THIS IS indeed what has taken place. It would be like a movie star and their family being the ones to determine their oscar worthiness.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profoundly Illuminating, January 11, 2003

By 

P.A. Poonja (Roanoke, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into the Heart of Truth: The Spirit of Relational Yoga (Paperback)

Having read the previous review, I can answer quite simply that the author is talking to nearly everyone that I know - he's certainly talking to me.

Far from assuming anything about the life of the reader, McAfee presents universal yogic truths in a way that makes the reader confront himself. This will make some readers bristle, bewilder others and for most create a tension between their image of themselves and the truth of themselves. McAfee resolves this tension gently and delicately in the final chapters. The resolution lies in the unvarnished observation of ourselves as we relate to his words and images.

Seldom does a book elicit potential lasting change in a person's life in an inward, transcending direction. This book is one of those and should be required reading for all yoga students, and yes, teachers alike.