Whilst I am in awe of Sri Krishnamacharya and have been for many years, this book, written by his son, is a very difficult and dry read. At page 81, I just gave up and getting to that page took me a couple of months! It is also tiring to constantly read how great Sri K. was - I know that already!

There is very little if any information on the discoveries that Sri K. made from studying Sanskrit literature sprinkled all over India. There is also very little information of his life, hardships and realtionships with his chief disciples.

Interpretation of the Patanjali Sutras is also done from a very physical Hatha point of view which I have never agreed with - see "Bringing the Inner God to Life" by Swami Shankarananda Giri or learn Kriya Meditation to see what I mean. The book by Swami Shankarananda Giri is a translation of Patanjali's Sutras and goes much deeper and beyond Hatha Yoga and presents more logical arguments.

You do not have to be a serious practitioner of Yoga to appreciate the warmth that Desichakar brings forth in this tribute to his father. This is a story told from the heart, of a sons admiration and love of one of the foremost Yogis to have lived. I found myself finishing the book in less than a day. For those not familiar with the essence of Yoga as art, philosophy and science, this book offers an easy to comprhend overview of this timeless tradition which offers an incomparable richness to anyone who begins the journey. Krishnamacharya's devotion, compassion, and uncompromising discipline are an inspiration. This is Yoga beyond the commercialization and dilution of the art that is now so prevalent in the West.

Unlike "Autobiography of a Yogi," this work is not about magic but about the living tradition of yoga, and of a yogi skilled in all six Ways of Viewing, a wanderer, who journeyed for years on end learning the Vedic teachings, finally settling in south India to live yoga and raise a family. Not quite a biography, this book is a mixture of reminiscences, teachings and photographs of the author's father, Sri Krishnamacharya. One of my favorite stories describes Krishnamacharya's journey to a temple known long ago for its learned teachers. When he arrived by foot, exhausted, the gateskeeper suggested he first nap outside the grounds. Later, inside, he met a great teacher "seated beneath a banyan tree granting knowledge to all his disciples" and promptly memorized all his words upon recitation---only to awaken outside to the self-same gateskeeper, who slyly asked if he had found what he was looking for. The lost teachings had been transmitted in a dream. There is much more than this, of course, including many practical aspects and insights on all 8 limbs of classical yoga. There are two related shortcomings in this otherwise superb book. First, look at the fine "Essence of Yoga" by Desikachar's student, B. Bouanchaud. The frontispiece is a drawing by Krishnamacharya depicting Patanjali surrounded by his four students. These students represent the four books of the Yoga Sutras, the same teachings having been presented differently and with different emphases for each student. This skill-in-means is fundamental to Krishnamacharya's whole approach to yoga. While three of his students (B.K.S. Iyengar, Indra Devi, T.K.V. Desikachar) are mentioned here, I was surprised to read all 211 pages and find that A.G. Mohan, Krishnamacharya's fourth student for 18 years, was not mentioned once. (Lest there be any doubt, see Krishnamacharya's warm dedication to Mohan's fine book, "Yoga for Body, Breath and Mind.") This oversight taints a full appreciation of Krishnamacharya's true living tradition. Also, I believe there is something more to yoga and healing than the "We care" attitude emphasisized later in the book, but that emphasis may be related to the author's caring, sociable nature. That said, this is a marvelous book about an extraordinary man, well-written by an accomplished yogi who knew him well. There is something poignant in the author's tale of his own expedition to the Himalayas, searching for the cave where his father's guru lived and taught, the plight of a modern man who, like most of us, cannot wholly comprehend Krishnamacharya's accomplishments in the Vedic tradition. There are lessons here for us all. Don't miss it for the world.

A few years ago it was claimed that anti-Semitism existed only in rightwing ideolgies. Two problems rear their head: (1) Soviet collectivism showed the same virulence of Jews as Hitlerian collectivism and (2) what is it mean to be "left" or "right"? One assumes that "left" refers to collectivism and group rights -whether Soviet adulation of economic status or Nazi worship of race. "Right" has usually been thought of as tending toward the individual which pretty much explains why the U.S. is and always has been a moderately conservative nation.

The slights and prejudices of Ivy League WASPS have given way to screams of hatred from "radicals". One cannot fail to notice a peculiarity of today's peace marches: the anti-war banners are almost smothered in the sea of anti-Israeli/pro-Arab flags / red radical flags. The transformation of the Left into an anti-Israeli/anti-Jewish (they are virtually the same) had its beginnings in Europe.

Th author notes this and adds that this is nowhere more evident than France, the origin of intellectual anti-Semitism. It is certainly not surprising - the vast majority of persecution occurred under Catholic and Orthodox rule and even if France has gone the way of paganism, cultural fossils remain. The longtime connection between Jews and moneyed interests almost guaranteed persecution in the Soviet empire and now that Socialism is the god of Europe, the Left has found a natural enemy.

After all, Israel is not only pro-Western but pro-capitalist, two marks against it in the eyes of the ideologue. The odd thing is that Jews have for centuries been on the liberal side of almost every social issue. As with most issues though, when one disagrees with the Left it is not just wrong but evil. Few thought they would witness Leftists in Europe marching for Arab dictatorships over the one democracy in the region. This book explains why this has occurred and why the media is so silent about it.

....However, difficult it could be to change the world we are living in to a better one as the book suggests, it is not just a challenge, but a must try.
I have a feeling though that Michael is not trying to reach the general population but is aiming at the intellectual world. His writing, although very high level, seems to be quite challenging for people of a lesser education or younger age.

If we already know that it'll take years to incorporate this new way of living, maybe we should also include a younger audience.

Aren't the children of today, the leaders of tomorrow?

Rabbi Dr. Lerner has written a wonderful book about an idea whose time has come. If the media and politicians would act upon these ideas, our national life would benefit immeasurably. Rancor and discord would be replaced by harmony and dialogue. Senator Hilary Clinton embraced this book, and her espousal of its ideas no doubt helped her win election as our junior senator from New York.

Dr. Lerner is in the forefront of Jewish thought today. He seeks to engage the culture at large in a way that is beneficial for Jews and Gentiles alike. His efforts in this book and elsewhere are to be applauded.

People either like or dislike Rabbi Lerner, who makes no secret about being a liberal, progressive Jew. And whose congregation in San Francisco reflects the wonderful diversity of the city.

What I like about his writings is his ability to challenge people. To ask people to get out of their comfort and safe zones be it home, work, community and simply see all of Gods creation and realize that we are all flawed and in need of care, compassion and dignity. That one persons transgressions (I dislike the term sin) are no worse than another's. That any inhumane treatment of another is wrong.

Personally I would hope and pray that more religious leaders would embrace the compassion Rabbi Lerner has and cast off the fear, loathing and outright hatred of anyone that doesn't agree with them