The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali.

Injust 196 short aphorisms, this classic work of Indian philosophy spells outsuccinctly how the mind works, and how it is possible to use the mind to attainliberation. Compiled in the second or third century CE, the Yoga-Sutraisa road map of human consciousness—and a particularly helpful guide to the mindstates one encounters in meditation, yoga, and other spiritual practices. Itexpresses the truths of the human condition with great eloquence: how we knowwhat we know, why we suffer, and how we can discover the way out of suffering.Chip Hartranft's fresh translation and extensive, lucid commentary bring thetext beautifully to life. He also provides useful auxiliary materials,including an afterword on the legacy of the Yoga-Sutraandits relevance for us today.