The Psychology of the Yogas

1. Auflage 2021
ISBN: 978-1-80050-086-0
Verlag: Equinox Publishing Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 194 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 461 g

The Psychology of the Yogas explores the dissonance between the promises of the yogic quest and psychological states of crisis. Western practitioners of yoga and meditation who have embarked upon years-long spiritual quests and who have practiced under the guidance of a guru tell of profound and ongoing experiences of love, compassion and clarity: the peaks of spiritual fulfillment. However, after returning to the West, they reported difficulties and crises in different areas of their lives. Why did these practitioners, who had apparently touched the heights of fulfillment, still suffer from these crises? The author explores the psychological theory of yoga and its concrete yogic psychological methods such as 'cultivating of the opposite' (pratipaksa bhavana), transforming it to 'imagining the opposite', a practice aimed at healing negative habitual tendencies. These methods are extracted from an in-depth study of the Yoga of Patanjali and the Tibetan-Buddhist Ati-Yoga of Longchenpa - the Dzogchen. The works of Patanjali (3rd century) and Longchenpa, (14th century) provide a profound psychological framework for understanding the human psyche. These methods are effective but at times difficult to implement. However, as demonstrated through a case study Western psychology can effectively undo habitual tendencies in a manner which may complement yoga practice, enhancing the integration of one's spirituality and psychology.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Ifergan, Gidi

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionssoziologie und -psychologie, Spiritualität, Mystik
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologie / Allgemeines & Theorie Psychologische Theorie, Psychoanalyse Philosophische Psychologie, Logotherapie, Existenzanalyse
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Philosophische Psychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologie / Allgemeines & Theorie Psychologie: Allgemeines
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Nicht-Westliche Philosophie Indische & Asiatische Philosophie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction Chapter 1: The Psychological Layers in Patanjali's Yoga Chapter 2: Pratipaksa bhavana: Cultivating the Opposite Chapter 3: Pratipaksa bhavana as Imagining the Opposite Chapter 4: Western Psychology as a Temporary Complement to Yoga Chapter 5: Between Classical Yoga and Tibetan Dzogchen- Ati Yoga Chapter 6: The Psychology of Dzogchen Epilogue

Über Autor(innen)

Ifergan, Gidi
Dr Gidi Ifergan researches the Indian Philosophy and Tibetan Buddhism at Monash University.