Works by
Georg Feuerstein
(Writer)
[1947 - ]

A Reappraisal of Yoga: Essays in Indian Philosophy (1971)

The Philosophy of Classical Yoga (1980, 1996)
This is the first comprehensive and systematic analytical study of the major philosophical concepts of classical yoga. The book consists of a series of detailed discussions of the key concepts used by Pata-jali in his Yoga-Sutra to describe and explain the enigma of human existence and to point a way beyond the perpetual motion of the wheel of becoming. Feuerstein's study differs from previous ones in that it seeks to free Pata-jali's aphoristic statements from the accretions of later interpretations; instead, the author places the Sutra in its original context and sees it as the source of the whole edifice of classical yoga and not just as a summary of previous developments. This book will be of interest to comparative reliogionists, Indologists, and practitioners of yoga who wish to deepen their understanding of its philosophical basis. 

Humor Suddenly Returns: Essays on the Spiritual Teaching of Master Da Free John -- A Scholarly Tribute (1984)

The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali: A New Translation and Commentary (1989)
Approximately two thousand years old, The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali is the landmark scripture on classical yoga. The translation and commentary provided here by Georg Feuerstein are outstanding for their accessibility and their insight into the essential meaning of this ancient and complex text.

A scholar of international renown who has studied and practiced yoga since the age of fourteen, Feuerstein also brings to The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali his experience as a professional indologist. His faithful and informed rendering of the aphorisms (sutras) is based on extensive personal research into the Sanscrit sources. Each word is explained so that the entire text becomes readily available to the western reader and student of yoga.

Yoga: The Technology of Ecstasy (1989)

Holy Madness: The Shock Tactics and Radical Teachings of Crazy-Wise Adepts, Holy Fools, and Rascal Gurus (1991)
See also Holy Madness: Spirituality, Crazy-Wise Teachers, And Enlightenment

Sacred Paths: Essays on Wisdom, Love and Mystical Realization (1991)

Voices on the Threshold of Tomorrow (1993)
145 scientists, artists, theologians, and others reflect on the possibilities of the future.

In Search of the Cradle of Civilization: New Light on Ancient India (1995)
A scholarly tour de force that will revolutionize the way we view the ancient world.

Shambhala Guide to Yoga (1996)
This overview of the essentials of Yoga—understood not merely as a system of exercises but as a full-fledged spiritual tradition—is meant to both broaden and deepen the understanding of beginning students. It covers all the basic elements of this ancient discipline and philosophy of India and includes newly translated excerpts from the scriptures. Special attention is given to branches of Yoga, such as Tantra, that are of great interest to Western students but frequently misunderstood. The topics covered include: The principal branches of Yoga Moral principles Meditation and concentration Control of the breath The physical exercises of Hatha Yoga Diet Mantras: sacred sounds of power The powerful psychospiritual energy known as Kundalini The transmutation of sexual energy The teacher-student relationship Suggestions for further reading and other resources

Lucid Waking: Mindfulness and the Spiritual Potential of Humanity (1997)
Lucid waking means bringing an intense awareness to the business of living by meeting the challenges of existence sanely, creatively, and philosophically. It is the goal of all the great spiritual traditions of the world. Georg Feuerstein shows how this awareness is quietly emerging in individuals in the West after a prolonged spiritual slumber. Lucid Waking shows us that it is possible to be so vividly engaged in life that it will seem as though others are sleepwalking by comparison. Feuerstein brings clarity to the often murky concepts of soul, spirit, imagination, wholeness, and enlightenment, providing a sensible accounting of higher consciousness and self-transcendence in modern life as we approach the millennium. Rich with philosophy and insight from one of our most gifted chroniclers of the inner experience, Lucid Waking is a statement of unshakable faith in the great potential of humanity. 

Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga (1997, 2000)
Here is an authentic portrayal of a rich and complex spiritual tradition of India. The over two thousand entries cover Yoga's history, its many approaches, schools, teachers, scriptures, as well as its technical terminology. The book is arranged and written in a manner that will inform rather than overwhelm the lay reader, while at the same time offering valuable references for the professional researcher and the historian of religion. The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga offers the following features: Each entry has cross-references providing pertinent conceptual links Entries are in English alphabetical order, unlike comparable reference works that follow Sanskrit alphabetical order, which is difficult for the lay reader to follow Orientational entries provide an overview of central aspects of the Yoga tradition, such as history, psychology, and major branches Many entries cite or even quote original sources, shedding light on how a given term is used by traditional Yoga authorities

The Essence of Yoga: Essays on the Development of Yogic Philosophy from the Vedas to Modern Times (1997) with Jeanine Miller
A collection of classic essays by two highly regarded scholars on the development of yoga and its rapport with other religious traditions. 

Tantra: Path of Ecstasy (1998)
Tantra—often associated with Kundalini Yoga—is a fundamental dimension of Hinduism, emphasizing the cultivation of "divine power" (shakti) as a path to infinite bliss. Tantra has been widely misunderstood in the West, however, where its practices are often confused with eroticism and licentious morality. Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy dispels many common misconceptions, providing an accessible introduction to the history, philosophy, and practice of this extraordinary spiritual tradition. The Tantric teachings are geared toward the attainment of enlightenment as well as spiritual power and are present not only in Hinduism but also Jainism and Vajrayana Buddhism. In this book, Georg Feuerstein offers readers a clear understanding of authentic Tantra, as well as appropriate guidance for spiritual practice and the attainment of higher consciousness.

The Mystery of Light: The Life and Teaching of Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov (1998)

The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice (1998, 2001)
From the foremost living authority on Yoga comes the most comprehensive and reliable treatment of the subject available today. This is a work of impeccable scholarship by a person who has dedicated his life to the understanding and practice of yoga. The book offers a complete overview of every Yogic tradition, from the familiar to the lesser-known forms. It also covers all aspects of Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina Yoga, including history, philosophy, literature, psychology and practice. In addition, included are * translations of twenty Yoga treatises * the first translation of the Goraksha Paddhati

Yoga for Dummies (1999) with Larry Payne
Yoga is not a fad. It has been around in the United States for over a hundred years and has a history of approximately five millennia. It is clearly here to stay. Yoga has brought health and peace of mind to millions of people. It can do the same for you.

The benefits of Yoga are many. When adopted as a lifestyle, Yoga extends over the entire day. Find out how this can be done and why Yoga is so often loved by people who are
 

• Interested in becoming more fit and flexible

• Looking for stress relief

• Seeking to live a more peaceful and joyful life

Yoga Gems: A Treasury of Practical and Spiritual Wisdom from Ancient and Modern Masters (2002)
For the millions of Americans who now practice yoga regularly, here is the perfect introduction to the rich philosophical and spiritual tradition behind the exercises.

George Feuerstein has drawn short, memorable quotations from the key texts of this five-thousand-year-old legacy, with an emphasis on the wisdom of modern yoga masters.The quotations have been selected and arranged to address the needs of yoga practitioners in the twenty-first century.

Among the many themes touched on in this treasure of a book: the process of inner growth; the value of silence; how to meditate; how to infuse everyday life with joy; universal kinship; overcoming suffering; dealing with grief, loss, anger, and jealousy; remembering and cultivating one’s true inner self; developing self-discipline; and bringing out the good in all you say and do.

For both new and experienced yoga students alike, Yoga Gems is the perfect travel companion on the road to inner peace.

Sacred Sexuality: The Erotic Spirit in the World's Great Religions (2003)
A historical, cross-cultural survey of sexuality as a sacred spiritual practice
 

• Examines sacred sexuality in the world’s religious and mystery traditions

• Explores contemporary “sexual stress syndrome” resulting from the absence of the sacred in sexual practice

• Reveals how to find the sacred in the ordinary

The Deeper Dimension of Yoga (2003)
Here is a comprehensive survey of the full breadth and depth of the 5,000-year-old Yoga tradition, emphasizing its potent philosophy and spiritual vision. Georg Feuerstein demonstrates that Yoga is much more than a system of physical exercises—it is a profound path of self-transformation that encompasses a range of teachings, practices, and sacred texts that can help us cultivate wisdom, balance, and inner freedom, as well as physical health. Feuerstein is one of the few Western scholar-teachers of Yoga whose writing and teaching penetrate the full richness and depth of this ancient tradition. Here he offers a collection of essays touching on all facets of the discipline. Topics include: The different branches and styles of Yoga The ethical teachings of Yoga Yoga and vegetarianism Meditation and mantras Choosing a teacher Tantric Yoga The experience of ecstasy

A Little Book for Lovers (2006)
In the tradition of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, Georg Feuerstein presents an elegant book on finding the rich pulse of life between your lover and the world—"in which nothing need be excluded from your embrace." Plumbing the depth of his knowledge of India’s spirituality—a subject on which he has authored numerous books—Georg Feuerstein graces readers with the gift of his insights on love gathered from years of devoted spiritual practice. Beginning with how to find ever-deepening intimacy with the one you love and then expanding into the realm of finding union with the Divine, this lyrical and heartfelt book offers wisdom that will speak directly to your heart and expand your notion of what love is. "Through intimacy," writes Feuerstein, "we create a large opening in our existence, permitting life to flow abundantly into us and out of us and into the other person and the world. Intimacy halves experiences of sorrow and pain, inevitable companions of existence. And it magnifies our experience of joy. Through joy, the vicissitudes of human existence become ultimately meaningful." With poetry and perceptivity, Feuerstein reveals the mysteries behind love while returning you to the freshness and simplicity of it in all places, at all times. Whether quietly reading this book for personal reflection, sharing it with your lover on your anniversary, or offering it to a new couple as a wedding gift, A Little Book for Lovers will open readers to deeper connection with those around them—and place them in communion with the wildly beating heart of the cosmos.

Holy Madness: Spirituality, Crazy-Wise Teachers, And Enlightenment (2006)
Holy Madness explores the religious phenomenon referred to as crazy wisdom -- the purposefully outrageous, conventiondestroying behavior of spiritual adepts in every great tradition, from Christian Fools for Christ through the Sufi Path of Blame, to the charismatic leaders of new religions. The author explores the core of the spiritual process through eight critical indepth cameos of holy madness in action in the lives of eight contemporaries, including Chgyam Trungpa, Bhagwan Rajneesh and Aleister Crowley. This revised and expanded edition includes a new assessment of the American guru Adi Da (formerly Da Free John) and the psychopathology of blind faith, using the example of Shoko Asahara (founder of Japan's infamous terrorist sect AUM). The author offers guidelines for choosing a wise, enlightened guide or guru, and tips for avoiding the exploitative.  See also Holy Madness: The Shock Tactics and Radical Teachings of Crazy-Wise Adepts, Holy Fools, and Rascal Gurus

Bhagavad Gita: An Introduction (2007)
The philosophy and cultural settings of the Song of God.

Transparent Leaves From the Tree of Life: Metaphysical Poems (2007)
An anthology of metaphysical poems dwelling on significant aspects of life and the highlights of the spiritual path . . . an invitation to pause and allow distilled thought and language to attune the reader to universal truths.

Yoga Morality: Ancient Teachings at a Time of Global Crisis (2007)
Explores Yogic philosophy and practice to discover what it means to be a mature, moral person. Counterbalancing the current trend toward overpopulariziation. Yoga is not about the glamour of its physical postures or fabulous states of meditation. Yoga, which lies at the heart of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, is a spiritual tradition is concerned with personal growth and the ultimate goal of complete self-transcendence to the point of perfect inner freedom. The core process of Yoga, which conducts the yogic practitioner from a state of inauthentic existence to authentic being, is unglamorous and proceeds through the gradual, quiet transformation of one’s body-mind and everyday life. It is impossible to be a good yogi or yoginî without also being a morally mature individual.

Green Dharma (2008 release) with Brenda Feuerstein
Green Dharma is a clarion call to Buddhist teachers and practitioners to translate the Buddhist wisdom teachings into a viable green lifestyle, which treats both the inner and outer environment with reverence. This book is must-reading for anyone seeking to practice the Buddha Dharma or indeed any other spiritual tradition in a meaningful and responsible manner at a time of worldwide environmental crisis ( Sixth Mass Extinction ).

The Lost Teachings of Yoga (2003)  CD
Yoga’s original spiritual wisdom is in danger of being "lost forever" in the West. Now scholar and author Georg Feuerstein reveals the wonders beyond Yoga’s postures and breathing techniques, and points the way to the "inner strength and mental peace" that is Yoga’s first objective. A full 9-hour curriculum covers the true history of Yoga, its many branches, Yoga’s virtues and disciplines that "flower into enlightenment," subtle anatomy and the energy of prana or life force, the origins of asanas, and much more.

Yoga Wisdom (2004)  CD  Cassette
About 20 million Americans are practicing some form of Yoga. Yet the original purpose of Yoga – as a path to inner freedom and enlightenment – is embodied by only a few students in the West. Yoga Wisdom introduces this growing market to the endangered mental and spiritual disciplines of this ancient philosophy for living. From Yoga’s origins and how it evolved into many schools, to the moral and esoteric principles that unite them all, here is the perfect primer on Yoga and its authentic practice.

What Is Enlightenment? Issue 12, Fall/Winter 1997 (1997), Susan Bridle, ed.
Includes articles by Andrei Codrescu, Andrew Cohen, Deepak Chopra, Georg Feuerstein, Ken Wilbur, and Sam Bercholz