The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga: A Practical Guide to Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit

Introduction

The source from which the world and the mind rise

and into which they set is termed Reality, which

does not rise nor does it subside.

—Ramana Maharishi

I

am not in the world; the world is in me.” This daring

declaration of ancient yogis gave expression to the

perennial truth that the material universe, our physical

bodies, and the thoughts that occupy our minds are

expressions of an underlying unbounded field of con-

sciousness. The “I” in the bold statement reflects a trans-

formation in the internal reference of the seeker from

skin-encapsulated ego to expanded spirit. These original

explorers of consciousness charted a course for us to follow

— the path of yoga. This is the path we follow.

We are deeply gratified by the expanding acceptance in the

West of the philosophy and practices usually attributed to

1

cintro.qxd 4/14/04 12:25 PM Page 1