Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, Vol. XII. Yoga: India\'s Philosophy of Meditation

Contents: In memoriam-- Dr. Ram Shankar Bhattacharya (1927-1996). Preface. I. The philosophy of yoga: 1. The history and literature of Yoga. 2. The Philosophy of Patanjala yoga. 3. The Hatha yoga system and other satellite/sectarian. 4. Contemporary yoga movements (by Autumn Jacobsen). II. Summaries of works: 1. Patanjala yoga traditions. 2. The Hatha yoga system and other satellite traditions of yoga. Appendix. End notes. List of works cited. Glossary-index.

"The volume Yoga: India's Philosophy of Meditation, traces the intellectual history of Patanjala Yoga philosophy from the early centuries of the common era through the twentieth century. This volume also provides a systematic discussion of the philosophy of classical yoga. Particular attention is given to the meaning of "concentration" (samadhi), "engrossment (samapatti) and the "extraordinary cognitive capacities" (vibhutis, siddhis) and the role that these notions play in the Yoga philosophy, which are relevant for issues currently under discussion in contemporary western philosophy of mind. The volume as well compares and contrasts classical yoga philosophy with classical Samkhya and with Indian Buddhist thought. Although the primary focus of the volume is on Patanjala Yoga, the system of Hatha Yoga and other satellite systems of Yoga are discussed as well, and an attempt is made to differentiate clearly the classical system of Yoga Sastra for Hatha Yoga and the other satellite systems.

Some twenty-eight Sanskrit texts of Patanjala Yoga summarized or noted in the volume. Twenty-six volumes of Hatha Yoga and the texts of some other satellite systems are also included. Altogether the volume contains summaries and or notations for some seventy-five Sanskrit texts." (jacket)