PLATE EIGHT
‘* Hatha-yoga, when practiced according to the original instruc-
tions found in the Vedas of India, has little in common with the
watered-down yoga systems now taught in the West. The yogi was : ce]
required to leave his home and retire to the forest, where, seated
upon a deerskin mat, he would hold postures and meditate not for
fifteen minutes or half an hour but for years on end. He would dis- r
cipline himself to endure all the physical discomforts caused by
the weather, and even when approached by dangerous jungle i .
animals such as the tiger, he would remain fearless. Finally, he
had to raise his soul on his life airs to the top of his skull and cause on
the soul to leave the body at an astrologically auspicious mo-
ment. Today, no one can practice real hatha-yoga. Therefore, in Ce Fi » itr
Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna recommends bhakti-yoga, which is SS ee ee —
. . % 134 " , Ss wee -—4 > ="
based on hearing and chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. Anyone, SSS oS aS Fe OS; va
even a child, can practice this simple, effective yoga system.” cn tte > G # wa Soo
(pp. 150-51) Are pe ne es
4, P//4 a : Fam
~ Cr Tee eS en . ee eee
