Worldlier Methods
"Yoga needs defining in context, and contexts change, no matter how timelessly people describe them..."
— Daniel Simpson, The Truth of Yoga (2021)
Unlike other early yogic texts, which promote renunciation, the Bhagavad Gītā focuses on action. Its innovative synthesis of teachings makes yoga compatible with everyday life and is arguably more relevant to modern practitioners than the world-renouncing message of the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali.
In addition to promoting engagement with worldly affairs, the Gītā weaves together the philosophy of earlier Upaniṣads with devotional worship of a personal deity. That leads to the idea that all things are divine, sowing seeds of inspiration for later developments, from tantric traditions to physical yoga.
This accessible talk was first presented live, and the recording includes Q&A. You can ask questions in comment threads under the video – where they'll be answered as soon as possible – or book a one-to-one live conversation to discuss any topic in more depth. Suggestions for reading and further study are also provided.
Content
Introductory Video
About the Speaker
Daniel Simpson is the author of The Truth of Yoga: A Comprehensive Guide to Yoga's History, Texts, Philosophy, and Practices.
In addition to the courses on this site, he also teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and contributes to yoga teacher trainings.
He first studied at Cambridge and earned his M.A. in yoga studies from SOAS, University of London, where he subsequently taught.
Daniel combines this academic expertise with extensive experience as a practitioner, which he shares in workshops and on retreats.
In a previous career, he was a foreign correspondent, working for Reuters and the New York Times. Drawing on those skills, he hosts the Ancient Futures podcast.
danielsimpson.info