"Patanjali's rules compel the student not only to acquire a right knowledge of what is and what is not real, but also to practice all virtues, and while results in the way of psychic development are not so immediately seen as in the case of the successful practitioner of Hatha Yoga, it is infinitely safer and is certainly spiritual, which Hatha Yoga is not. In Patanjali's Aphorisms there is some slight allusion to the practices of Hatha Yoga, such as "postures," each of which is more difficult than those preceding, and "retention of the breath," but he distinctly says that mortification and other practices are either for the purpose of extenuating certain mental afflictions or for the more easy attainment of concentration of mind. In Hatha Yoga practice, on the contrary, the result is psychic development at the delay or expense of the spiritual nature. These last named practices and results may allure the Western student, but from our knowledge of inherent racial difficulties there is not much fear that many will persist in them. (Preface)"
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
MysticsNon-fiction authors from the United StatesOccultistsNew religious movement leadersTheosophists
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Imported from EN Wikiquote
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Quan_Judge
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
William Quan Judge
William Quan Judge (April 13, 1851 – March 21, 1896) was an Irish-American mystic, esotericist, and occultist, and one of the founders of the original Theosophical Society.
54 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by William Quan Judge →
Related Quotes
"It should be ever borne in mind that Patanjali had no need to assert or enforce the doctrine of reincarnation. That i…"
"1. Assuredly, the exposition of Yoga, or Concentration, is now to be made. The Sanskrit particle atha, which is trans…"
"2. Concentration, or Yoga, is the hindering of the modifications of the thinking principle. In other words, the want …"
"24. I's'wara is a spirit, untouched by troubles, works, fruits of works, or desires. 25. In I's'wara becomes infinite…"
"The utterance of OM involves three sounds, those of long au, short u, and the "stoppage" or labial consonant m. To th…"
"29. From this repetition and reflection on its significance, there come a knowledge of the Spirit and the absence of …"
"We need a literature, not solely for highly intellectual persons, but of a more simple character, which attempts to a…"
"The writer, when first he became a theosophical student, had the aid of an advanced occultist in his studies. This fr…"
"Do not think much of me, please. Think kindly of me; but oh, my friend, direct your thoughts to the Eternal Truth. I …"
"This book is meant for sincere students, and especially for those who have some glimmering of what Krishna meant, whe…"