| Title | : | Adiyogi: The Source of Yoga |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 9352643925 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9789352643929 |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 232 |
| Publication | : | First published February 15, 2017 |
Adiyogi: The Source of Yoga Reviews
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The co- author Arundhati was so obsessed with herself and with her trivial details and over- flowery language (which was completely unnecessary, honestly), she almost ruined what must have been an amazing spiritual guide for every seeker. Except for that, this book is a gem. Sadhguru speaking on Shiva is a treat one wouldn't want to miss!
P.S.- Save yourself some time and do not read the part 3 of this book! Read the part 2 twice instead! -
This is a book about Shiva – the first Yogi who transmitted the knowledge to disciples, many centuries back. The book has several things going for it: the descriptions have an intensity and it is almost as if you can feel the magnetic pull of Shiva as you read. The myths which are included are all exceptionally good, though many are common knowledge in the Indian culture. Sadhguru’s perspective of Shiva as one who can take you to the depths of yourself – destroying all that is impermanent and make believe is interesting There are also fresh perspectives and insights at many instances while the myths are discussed - on Shiva’s practice, valor, balance, compassion and selflessness.
While the mythology makes for great reading, the pseudo-science which figures especially in the initial stages was entirely avoidable. The writing style is variant – there are sentence constructs which are repetitive and detracts from the narration – for instance every 10 sentences in Section 3, you will find a phrase about Sadhguru laughing. While the last section also purports to raise several questions, many are left unanswered. However, that may also be because each person has to find his own way. -
Beautiful book.
Such a lovely day to finished this book on International Yoga Day.
I literally read this book in Sadhguru's voice. Quite an enlightening book.
Such a beautiful experience it was. I guess I will be re-reading it again and again to get that beautiful experience. -
Shiva can only be experienced, never understood ! The readers can travel to the mysterious Kailash, a spiritual journey to unfold the mysteries of Shiva. "If you cannot see, I'll turn off the lights.". Sadhguru says to look inwards to find the solutions to all the problems that we face.
Sadhguru portrays Shiva as the first Yogi who lived in this world or came to this earth around 15000 years before. Shiva is the first yogi, the first guru. This book will change the perspective of the people who think Shiva as a god who carries a Trident and wears a snake as an ornament. Beyond that Shiva is a yogi, the nothingness who is the primal energy source behind all the creations.
"When a Being beyond Time and Space touches you, you also become beyond Time and Space" - the privilege of knowing "The Only Solution Is Dissolution" - Sadhguru. -
Om Namah Shivaya |
ॐ नमः शिवाय ।
Must read for those who want to get a clear understanding of Adiyogi in the ascetic sense, Narration is simple and crisp. However, Part 3 is a bit daunting for juggling around words more than the theme of shiva. It's often difficult to find books about Shiva and his path of enlightenment. Sadhguru has done phenomenal work on bringing shiva closer to our hearts through the spirit of devotion.
Since I am from south India, My grandpa used to narrate to me the lore of shiva on Maha Shivratri night till I fall asleep. But this book gave me the scientific explanation behind those stories and it was really insightful. The first two-part is a must, You can skip the last part since it deviates from the spirit of shiva.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्
“Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-Vardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Mamritat॥”
Namaste! -
One of the finest on Shiva. The two parts of the book authored by Sadguru are absolutely fantastic as they would be and the third part, recorded by Arundathi ji, I find people thinking it is more about her, which I would deny.
it is not about her, but it is about HIM/HER who is being changed into a seeker from a believer. Who is being cryptic and doubtful and journeying towards reasonable reason. She is not a mere believer of her master and for ones who are like her, the personal detail is very important, which I believe she did blend in. That's a part, the depth of it, is very essential for every believer who wants to turn a seeker.
FANTASTICO!! -
Interesting and cryptic
A good read,
Perhaps you need to read it 4-5 times to really grasp the knowledge in it -
"Shi-va is that which is not, no-thingness. Shiva doesn't spell religion, he spells responsibility - our ability to take our life in our hands"
This book is the portrait of Shiva in his various forms,the world's first guru (according to Sadhguru ) by a living guru, who becomes a conduit for Shiva. It is basically a chronicle of source of mysticism by a mystic.
Sadhguru begins with popular legends then skew towards fable, and suddenly spins out a yogic creation myth.
This book consists of 3 parts, the first two contains the understanding of the Shiva which is evolved out of Sadhguru's consciousness and retellings of some folklore which represents profound insights that are too common in Indian culture and we already know them. In the last part of this book, there are many questions by Arundhati which at times Sadhgurus's doesn't exactly answer many of those questions or say those answers are too cryptic to decode. Initially the writing felt like some assertion of scattered myth about unfathomable but since it is a book on how Sadhguru sees Shiva, so approach this book intuitively, or in a way that you can discover Shiva.
If you follow Sadhguru's interview closely, most of the arguments in this book about inner engineering, have already been told by him, word by word. It rather felt like a compiled form of those facts and fables, pseudo-science and magic but then again, the only response to this book isn't suspicion or disbelief, you can be curious enough to take this book as a fodder to learn more about Shiva!
I really liked its variousness, at the same time I found the repetitive assertions tad boring, considering Shiva as not a myth but a historical figure felt a bit odd and outlandish but this book will be best understood when embraced rather than trying to find a foolproof explanations to everything.
I also really liked the narrative by Arundhati Subramaniam, how she acknowledged that she, a non-believer turned into a conscious seeker by the influence of Sadhguru. To put it crudely, at times it felt like she was completely obsessed with him because of which most of the part of her writing felt a little biased, which is reflective and understanding that *Sadhguru's advent in her life was cyclonic to her*.
To understand Shiva from a not so common perspective, this book will be a treat. -
Insightful and inspirational book the Shiva/Adiyogi. Logically explains tonne of folklore and medieval literature on this subject. After reading this you will feel like doing yoga every morning.
If you wanna restrict yourself to just medieval, ignore the last two chapters.
Nice to book to read when you are considering a transforming change in lifestyle. -
Part 2 of the book is really good. But other than that, all the conversation with co-author Arundhati are really tedious. It would have been better if the book captured Sadhguru's thoughts entirely and not just in some conversation style.
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Seeking nothingness .....
This is a inspirational good book .... will let you know about shiva entirely from different perspective ...opens up our mind to so many new possibilities.Sadhguru has given a different dimension to Shiva as Adiyogi, which is very deep and logical one. Connectivity of yogic system and modern science is informative ....
Mystical read ..... -
Adiyogi: The Source of Yoga
One of the best books on Shiva or Shi-va~ The clarity and the logical perception by the mystic Sadhguru is brilliantly explained with scientific explainations including the mythological folklores and how the metaphorical stories are viewed and evolved over the centuries. Explains Shiva in his multiple forms and how Adiyogi also became Adiguru and how he was persuaded into becoming guru and also an husband~ What importance Sadhuguru has given to Shiva in this modern world, also explains what the world needs at present, how the tool or technology can be used to make your inner engineering blend into the cosmos enlightening your soul~ Also explains the importance of mountains Vellaingiri and Mount Kailash (the mountain of Knowledge). There are few things which gets repetative as the more digging into the Adiyogi is done as well as the Cryptic answers given by Sadhuguru makes it bore a bit but yet gives you interesting analyzation of who Adiyogi is!
For those who are skeptical and need logical analysis on Mythos and Mysteries, go for it~ -
Though some stories in the book are nice to read as they are not new nothing it becomes boring for someone who has already read or heard those. Author has not used a simple language most words you have to pick up a dictionary. And most places it appears author is utterly confused with no logic or sense in whats told and thus it becomes more unclear for the reader whether to infer and what. Not recommended unless you just want to waste time getting nothing out of this.
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A different experience in total, the concepts are quite similar to the Shiva Purana and Rig Veda, but simplified and presented in a more narrative way. The best part is a few add on stories and the Question Answer sessions with Sadhguru. His clarifications are convincing and penetrating as well. A worth read, a spiritual master piece.
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Sadhguru is an enigma whose Yogic teachings need to be more universal. This book is a brilliant spiritual guide for anyone seeking a journey that transcends traditional, structured religiosity - my only concern was the commentary by Arundhati which I found to be unnecessary and too self-important on her part.
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Except Some mythical folk-lore.... this book is gem. Helped me a lot in such a way, I am now seriously considering my life all over again. This book provoked me to question my life and my deeds toward the universe! I loved it. Thank you to Adiyogi, Sadhguru and author.
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Read if you want know more about Shiva. Major part of the book is based on folklores. Lessons of spirituality are beautifully intertwined in the book. But if you have already read Inner Engineering then you might find these lessons repetitive.
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Good book.
Its always great to read or listen Sadhguru's style of narrating. -
This is a book which gradually grows on you. The introduction is not very impressive, but the second and third parts of the book more than make up for it. Again, the ending is on a low note than the middle. The musings of the co-author take away the musings and the marvel of the subject. Unnecessary literary mechanisms in the writing in the beginning and the end take away the charm of the book.
The subject drew me in and was flawlessly executed in the passages which were narrated by
Sadhguru. Simple yet mystical at the same time, it made me curious to know and explore more. Well explained and offering no clue as to what to expect next, it was definitely a good read. -
This isn't the easiest book to understand due to it's profound mythology, but wow wow is it good. If you perceive “shiva" as complex, then get this book - it should clarify any confusion you may have from A-Z.
get ready to be enlightened! :) -
Vast knowledge about origin of Yoga-sutras (not related to particular religion)
Take away/s: one must understand there is a huge possibility apart from delivering ordinary social life aspects! -
A chronicle of folklore about Shiva as the origin of the universe in the words of the modern mystic.
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Read Shiva.. Embrace Shiva... Be Shiva.... Parts 1&2 are a must read. It opens a new understanding of ourselves and how to go on a spiritual path
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This book tells the tale from the time Adiyogi came into this world till the time he passed on the knowledge to the seven sages and left. There are many tales of Shiva which many people would not have heard. Truly worth the read.
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The gates of my heart were flung open, and joy flew far above everything while Sadhguru, in his raconteur tone, demystifies the spiritual traditions of the yogic sciences in this captivating book. Sadhguru while retelling the source of yoga, segues between legend and history. In the yogic traditions, Sadhguru writes, Shiva can be alluded to either of two possibilities, Shi-va, that which is not and Shiva, Adigyogi, the progenitor of Yoga. In this book, Sadhguru presents a vivid understanding of yoga, the spiritual journey, a journey towards clarity, but never towards certainty. Sadhguru writes "When you draw conclusions about beginnings and endings, you are a believer. When you accept that you really do not know anything, you become a seeker. To be enlightened is not a condition of certainty. It is to move from limited knowing to boundless unknowing, from gravitas to grace". A rewarding and beautiful book!
Some more interesting insights of this book!
To know the life in its entirety, one has to become one with it — not cerebrally, but experientially. Through only knowing, not knowledge. Knowledge is intellectual accumulation; it is information gathered and processed in bits and pieces. Knowing, on the other hand, is neither intellectual nor accumulative.
Being that which is not is the most auspicious thing, this is because you can find fault ‘that which is ‘. You can like it or dislike it; you can agree with it or disagree with it; but ‘that which is not’ is perfect. ‘That which is not’ is the most auspicious, because nobody can find fault with it. -
This book were actually talks from Sadhguru, which were compiled, concise and compressed by renowned author and poetess, Arundhati Subramaniam.
Adiyogi is a book, that ramshackle the traditional way, a spiritual book is delivered.
This book purely delivers the "Shiva way", which is embodied in the modern way of living. This book takes off in a slow and dragging note, which continuously preaches and a bit draggy. Then takes on a stunning pace in the way Shiva or the Adiyogi is presented.
Here Adiyogi is presented merely as a person, who has known his inner extraordinary courage and strength.
The book is divided into three parts.
Part1: It deals with the spiritual saga of Adiyogi and his contribution to human consciousness
Part2: This is really an interesting part of this book. It is the comprised version of all stories of Shiva, retold in a different way. Each and every part is concisely linked to every part.
Part3: These are mostly monologs, with few dialogues, conversations, and points to make.
Part2 is really a worth to read, and Part3 is also an excellent thing to read.
It's a stunning single day to read, but it's also a book to be revisited at some points. -
I just put the book down and couldn't wait to put my thoughts coherently into this review.
First of all, Shiva has never been discussed this way before. It is a blend of scientific and symbolic, existential and experiential which at most of times is cryptic. It probably would take another read or more to understand the nuances of the talk between the master and disciple, in this case Sadhguru and Ms. Arundhati. It is a dialogue between them about Shiva, the one which is not, on the road to Kailash.
As is rightly said, human mind is passionate about stories, I was mostly impressed by the lore about the Shiva. Sadhguru links it to the lessons we could derive from the age old stories, which was unique.
The book is heavy in its content and requires focus of the reader to fully absorb it. I, for the one, has to come to terms with what I read. There was too much I could ve taken but was not able to. But then who stops me to read it again.
