Heart Yoga: The Sacred Marriage of Yoga and Mysticism

Name: Heart Yoga: The Sacred Marriage of Yoga and Mysticism
Price: 20.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Harvey, Andrew; , Erickson, Karuna; , Yee, Rodney
ISBN: 9781556438974

✍️ Harvey, Andrew; , Erickson, Karuna; , Yee, Rodney

☆ Reader reviews: none yet — be the first

20 $

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unite body and spirit: discover yoga's mystical heart, a direct path to divine union.

Beyond mere physical postures, 'Heart Yoga' unveils hatha yoga's profound spiritual essence, bridging ancient mystical traditions with contemporary practice. Andrew Harvey, a celebrated spiritual writer, and Karuna Erickson, an experienced yoga teacher, guide practitioners toward divine unity, the ultimate aim of all mystical paths. This work transcends typical physical benefits, focusing on yoga as a conduit for deep spiritual connection. It features sacred poetic writings, descriptions of fifty poses with their transformative effects, and outlines the 'Five Great Joys' for a heart-centered practice. The authors also share their personal paths of transcendence.

Key themes

{'title': 'Yoga as Spiritual Practice', 'body': 'This book reframes hatha yoga not as a fitness regimen, but as a direct route to spiritual awakening. It emphasizes that the true purpose of asanas and breathwork is to prepare the body and mind for union with the divine, aligning with the ultimate goals of mystical traditions worldwide, rather than just physical well-being.'} {'title': 'Achieving Mystical Union', 'body': "At its core, 'Heart Yoga' explores the universal mystical quest for oneness with the sacred. Through specific yoga practices and philosophical insights, it teaches how to cultivate an internal state that allows practitioners to experience profound bliss and connection to the divine power permeating all existence, echoing sages throughout history."} {'title': 'Embodied Transformation', 'body': 'The text delves into the alchemical effects of fifty distinct yoga poses, explaining how each posture not only shapes the physical body but also subtly alters consciousness. This holistic approach empowers individuals to transform their inner landscape, leading to a deeper dwelling within the heart and a more integrated spiritual life.'}

In stock

🏛 North Atlantic Books 📅 2010 📖 280 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781556438974

Fun fact

This profound work masterfully synthesizes yoga's physical discipline with mysticism's transcendent aims, offering rare depth in a crowded field. It brilliantly articulates yoga's true purpose as a path to divine union, providing both philosophical grounding and practical instruction. Invaluable for spiritual seekers and dedicated yogis, it may disappoint those solely interested in fitness or a secular approach. It carves a unique niche, elevating yoga back to its sacred, transformative origins.

📝 Description: Heart Yoga: The Sacred Marriage of Yoga and Mysticism

***WINNER, 2010 Spirituality & Practice Best Spiritual Book Award - Yoga In Heart Yoga, renowned spiritual writer and Sacred Activist Andrew Harvey and longtime yoga teacher Karuna Erickson present a vision of hatha yoga practice that links ancient spiritual traditions to contemporary life. Including excerpts of poetic sacred writing from mystical sages through the ages, the book reminds readers that the purpose of yoga is not to improve one's physical health or even to achieve peace of mind (although these results may be achieved along the way), but to reach a state of unity with the divine, the goal of mystics from all traditions. With detailed descriptions and photographs of fifty yoga poses and their alchemical effects on the body and consciousness, Heart Yoga presents yoga as a simple meditative practice that enables the practitioner to dwell in the heart and experience the bliss of union with the sacred power underlying all of life. The book explains how to prepare for Heart Yoga and describes the "Five Great Joys" that are part of the path. Included are the authors' own compelling stories of their individual journeys along the path of yoga: stories of suffering, transcendence, and joy that both inspire and enlighten.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books — add yours →

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.8/5

★★★★★

For dedicated yoga practitioners seeking to deepen their spiritual journey beyond physical postures, and mystically inclined individuals looking for an embodied path to divine connection. If you yearn to integrate ancient wisdom into your practice and experience profound inner transformation, this…

Reader rating

Reviews yet. Be the first!

❓ Frequently asked questions

While containing detailed pose descriptions, the book's primary focus is spiritual depth over foundational technique. Beginners might benefit from some prior yoga experience or concurrent instruction to fully grasp the physical aspects before delving into the profound mystical insights.

Unlike many contemporary yoga guides focused on fitness or stress relief, 'Heart Yoga' explicitly positions yoga as a direct mystical practice for achieving divine union. It weaves together philosophical insights, sacred poetry, and practical asanas to guide readers toward a transformative spiritual experience.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Yoga as Spiritual Practice

This book reframes hatha yoga not as a fitness regimen, but as a direct route to spiritual awakening. It emphasizes that the true purpose of asanas and breathwork is to prepare the body and mind for union with the divine, aligning with the ultimate goals of mystical traditions worldwide, rather than just physical well-being.

Achieving Mystical Union

At its core, 'Heart Yoga' explores the universal mystical quest for oneness with the sacred. Through specific yoga practices and philosophical insights, it teaches how to cultivate an internal state that allows practitioners to experience profound bliss and connection to the divine power permeating all existence, echoing sages throughout history.

Embodied Transformation

The text delves into the alchemical effects of fifty distinct yoga poses, explaining how each posture not only shapes the physical body but also subtly alters consciousness. This holistic approach empowers individuals to transform their inner landscape, leading to a deeper dwelling within the heart and a more integrated spiritual life.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The mat becomes an altar, each breath a prayer, guiding you not merely into a pose, but into the very heart of the divine.»

«Forget the fleeting quest for perfect form; seek instead the perfect surrender, for it is in letting go that true union blossoms.»

📜 Historical context

This work situates itself within the venerable tradition of spiritual esotericism, bridging ancient hatha yoga's original intent with universal mystical principles found across diverse spiritual paths. It echoes the perennial philosophy, reminding us that yoga's roots are profoundly spiritual, designed for ultimate liberation and union, a truth often diluted in modern interpretations focused solely on physical health.

📚 Glossary

Hatha Yoga
Mysticism
Divine Union

📔 Questions to reflect on

How has your understanding of yoga's purpose evolved, and how might you integrate a more mystical perspective into your current practice?
Reflect on a moment of profound connection or bliss you've experienced. How did your physical and mental states contribute to this feeling, and how can yoga cultivate it further?
The book speaks of 'alchemical effects' of poses. Choose one pose you practice regularly and contemplate its potential beyond the physical: what spiritual transformation might it be inviting?