‘When disappointment stares me in the face and all alone I see not one ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavad-Gīta. I find a verse here and a verse there, and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies.’ Mahatma Gandhi
Philosophy
The word ‘yoga’ is most frequently associated in the West with the practice of physical postures, but yoga is also a wisdom tradition offering a wealth of insight on human existence.
The texts of the yoga tradition seek answers to the bigger questions human beings ask themselves. What is my essential nature? Where did I come from? What happens when I die? How should I live? These writings invite us to enter different ways of seeing the world, expanding our horizons. Understanding yoga philosophy can enrich our daily practice, giving us a context for the practice of āsana (yoga postures), prāṇāyāma (breath control) and meditation.
I offer short courses in yoga philosophy throughout the year offering an introduction to the key texts of the yoga tradition and an exploration of the relevance of the central concepts of yoga philosophy for today.
The Bhagavad Gītā
September to December 2025
The Bhagavad Gītā or ‘Song of the Lord’ takes the form of a dialogue between Arjuna, a warrior facing a crisis of conscience on the eve of a battle between warring factions of his family, and Kṛṣṇa, his charioteer, who is eventually revealed to be God in human form. Ever since its composition, the Gītā has been a source of inspiration to politicians, artists, and writers. It was a favourite text of Mahatma Ghandi, who claimed that it speaks to every human being because it deals with universal themes such as how we should act and what makes a virtuous life. The Gītā contains many teachings on yoga – as a form of action, a way of knowing, as devotion, renunciation and as meditation. During the course, we will read the text together and reflect on its teachings and their relevance in our own lives.
Dates, Times and Venue: Tuesdays 10.45-12.30 on 16, 30 September; 14 October; 11, 25 November;
9 December at 45 Belle Vue Rd.
Cost: £108
To book: Email: susansteph@gmail.com or phone 01722 413633
