The Mirror of Yoga

This book is a detailed overview of the rich teachings and sutras that inform the many schools of yoga. With great depth and clarity Richard Freeman describes the various styles and schools of yoga; explains the Upanishads and Sankhya philosophy; and discusses the role of the guru, the practices of chanting and meditation, and the imperative to serve others. He gives clear explanations of the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali, of the eight limbs of ashtanga yoga, and of the process and purpose of hatha yoga. All of this is applied to the actual practice, giving the reader the tools to digest and apply this wealth of information.

Looking back five thousand years to early texts, Freeman observes how the living roots of yoga philosophy have grown into many schools, techniques, and philosophies that are united by a vast, interpenetrating “matrix.” This matrix holds the key to understanding yoga’s full depth and greater purpose. He shows that all the styles, traditions, and practices are interconnected and contain each other. Ultimately all forms of yoga are concerned with freeing us from the never-ending quest of the ego-mind to reduce everything to theories. The various yoga disciplines are designed to help us see things as they really are in the present moment and thereby to give us a direct experience of the deepest truth about ourselves and the whole of being.

In 1995 Richard began giving studio talks on yoga philosophy at the Yoga Workshop immediately following the Sunday afternoon Mysore practice. Initially, the talks occurred whenever Richard was inspired to talk after class. Advanced notice of a talk would be given as Mysore participants were rolling up their mats at the end of class: "There will be a talk in about 10 minutes, if anyone is here."