Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy

Building on Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy, Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy takes the spiritual seeker deeper into classical truths expounded by Eastern sages.CONTINUING LESSONS IN EASTERN SPIRITUALITYThese truths are presented in the form of lessons (or lectures) with readers addressed as students. This format was begun to good effect in Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy and continues in this advanced course with twelve more lessons (originally intended to be a correspondence course around the turn of the twentieth century).The lessons are presented without the simplified language of Fourteen Lessons (as you would expect from a book with “Advanced” in the title). Here, we are beyond the introductory level to Eastern spirituality and move into fuller explanations of concepts.The first four lessons largely expound on a “little occult manual” entitled, Light on the Path. That manual is quoted liberally with explanations provided for its seeming contradictions. Indeed, such contradictions are integral to Eastern spiritual teaching. Like a Zen koan, they are meant to provoke students to think. I believe the intent is the same here but the contradictions are resolved when the concept in question is examined from different angles. The result should be to make Light on the Path a more accessible and enlightening read.Lessons Five through Seven review three major forms of Yoga: Karma Yoga, Gnani Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. They can be considered alternate paths to the same enlightenment. Students will tend to prefer one over the others based on their personal temperaments and life experiences. Bhakti is a singular case because, as the author points out, it deals with the religious-devotional aspect of Yoga and is actually contained in the other forms. Also, there is a Raja Yoga form that is only touched upon. That is because the author considered it important enough to be dealt with in its own book (Raja Yoga: The Path of Mental Development).Lessons Eight and Nine expound upon the concept of Dharma. The Buddhist concept of Dharma is that it is basically the teachings of Buddha. Here, it is presented as a more generalized concept of being the “right course of action” for the spiritual seeker. So there is a similarity, but while the Buddhists see Dharma as being “revealed,” the Yogi sees it as being something learned (or “unfolded” from within). At least, that’s how I understand the passages on this subject.Lessons Ten through Twelve get to the heart of spiritual things. These deal with the idea of God as the Absolute, which gets into the nature of reality, how ideas of Mind, Force, and Matter relate between science and spirituality, and ends with thoughts on the Absolute and you.AN UNFOLDING OF UNDERSTANDING AND A REFERENCE BOOKLike Fourteen Lessons, Advanced Course is not easily digested in one reading. Though that first read is inspiring (especially if you are a seeker on the path), the book is a reference to be returned to as questions arise. I found, just in going back over the text for this review, that certain passages leapt out at me. In these, I found mantras for meditation. Such as:Look for the flower to bloom in the silence that follows the storm; not till then.There are many concepts in this book providing grist for deep study. I find them relevant contrasts (or supports) for concepts in my other studies and experiences with Christianity, Daoism, and Buddhism. To me, though, they are all relative aspects of the same whole (noting another repeated concept in Advanced Course in Yogi).And there are a number of ideas repeated in this book in support of the spiritual lessons. One such idea is that people can be advanced in their spiritual development, but their status is not so obvious in their daily life. It takes a closer look to see such a person’s different attitude. Though they may be in the middle of the “fight of everyday life” (the rat race), they live above it. The game of life to them really is just a game.Such ideas are presented in Advanced Course, apparently coming out of the author’s consideration of the spiritual truths in the lessons. I’m not sure I agree with all of them, though I think time-period is a factor. The one above, for instance, where it is postulated that more people are advanced in their spirituality that you might suppose. Personally, I see little-to-no spiritual development among the world’s leadership today. Perhaps it was different in the nineteenth century, or there was just a greater respect for position.But then again, some passages of this book strike me as amazingly relevant to current times. For instance, I was moved by the idea noted about being spiritually awake. It resonates with the modern idea in the alternate media of people being “awake” to the truth of current events:And then, the sense of seeing the great problems of life, while others do not recognize the existence of any unsolved problem, and who accordingly go on their way, dancing, fighting, quarreling, and showing all the signs of spiritual blindness, while you were compelled to stand alone and bear the awful sight.I often feel that way regarding so many people who just accept anything their TV and computer screens tell them.OLD LANGUAGE BUT WITH MODERN RELEVANCYThe narrative language is dated but is still readable, even considering it does not adhere to the simplicity of the first book (Fourteen Lessons). There are old ideas presented (preference for male pronouns, the predominance of man over beast and “savage”) but there are also progressive moments (where women are specifically considered in the narrative, for instance). I found none of this to be distracting or interfering with readability or the concepts presented.There is an optimism in the narrative regarding the progress of civilization that is jarring at points. The assumption is that people and society in general get better as time goes by. I really can’t embrace such optimism, but I think it was a common idea in the nineteenth century western world. It is irrelevant to the book’s spiritual concepts anyway.The text makes easy use of the term “occult” and “occultist.” This too may also be jarring for some readers who see “occult” as a term of evil. At the time of the book’s writing, though, I think “occultist” was used along with “mystic” and “spiritualist” to note someone we would call “spiritual but not religious.”And there are a lot of Biblical allusions probably meant to bridge Western readers from familiar spiritual concepts to those of the East. For instance, the Absolute is equated with the God of the New Testament (at least by implication). God/Absolute is described as being “no respecter of persons” (re: Acts 10:34). The eternal nature (omnipotence) of the Absolute is noted as “…same thing always, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” (re: Hebrews 13:8). Besides being a bridge, I think this language implies a continuity in spiritual experience among the world’s religions.LESSONS IN EXPERIENTIAL SPIRITUALITY HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDAdvanced Course in Yogi Philosophy is a continued education in spirituality as experienced by people since time immemorial. It puts into accessible form the transcendent phenomena that people encounter in their lives when cultural filters are removed. It seems the sages of the orient observed these truths and organized them long before western science became the gatekeeper to understanding the workings of the universe. Most people have a sense of this, I think. At least, those who are not totally immersed in some set of dogma, whether religious or scientific.So if you can set your mind free and allow flexibility in your thinking, you will find truths in this book that you can work with. You will find a path of discovery and understanding of the supranatural—the universe beyond the senses. You may also find yourself as you are, living within the cosmic dimensions that surround and interact with you.

Wow! This is one of the best books I have ever read. Period. The whole of Eastern philosophy and the whole of human life is in this amazing book. Although the title might intimidate you (Advanced Course) it is actually called "advanced" because it came after the first book by Yogi Ramacharaka, the "Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy," which was an introductory series of lessons. The book is not advanced in the sense that it is difficult philosophy, but in the sense that it is preoccupied with more advanced philosophical subjects, such as the three paths of yoga, the Ethics of yoga, and "the why of it all (The Riddle of the Universe)."The author manages to present these subjects in the most clear and rational manner, demystifying everything and making it simple to understand. Therefore, although "advanced," the book is also quite easy to read and understand. The writing is captivating and you cannot put it down. It makes you think about all the central issues of life, your purpose and meaning in life, your relationship with your fellow humans, the Universe and with God.This is a great new edition: the Foreword by Richard Rosen, the many notes at the end of the book, and the imaginative artistic design, make this book an indispensable part of your philosophical library.

This is the "sequel" to 14 Lessons in Yogi Philosophy. You need not read the 14 Lessons in order to understand this book (although it is better to do so). It is a stand-alone general introduction to yoga that was written 120 years ago. The fact that it is still in print after so many years shows how well-written this book is. I could not put it down and after reading it I could not stop returning to it. Yogi philosophy is not like the Western philosophies of Plato, Kant, Heidegger, or Sartre. It is practical philosophy that can be applied in your everyday life. If you think philosophy is either boring or difficult, just buy this book.

I couldn’t resist reading this after I had read 14 Lessons (by the same author) in two days. This is a continuation of 14 Lessons, only the lessons here go further into yogi philosophy and Indian thought. The lessons on the three types of yoga were excellent but my absolute favorite was the two lessons about Dharma (Ethics/Duty), which helped me truly grasp the meaning of Dharma and its effect on my everyday life. My favorite quote: “Dharma is the rule of action and life best adapted to the requirements of the individual soul, and best calculated to aid that particular soul in the next highest step in its development.” I strongly recommend the Advanced Course.

Written in the same easy to read writing style as its predecessor 14 Lessons, Advanced Course takes yogi philosophy to a more profound level. The book starts with an examination of the little book “Light on the Path” which was really fascinating. The chapters on each of the main yogas and yogi ethics are amazing. This new edition by Bamboo Leaf Press with a Foreword by yogi Richard Rosen is very good – beautiful design, nice helpful notes, and more.

I found this book to be very inspiring with insightful lessons. I especially liked the beginning chapters about the Light on the Path that set the foundation for the rest of the book. I also appreciated the sections about the different types of yoga.I’ve heard about these other yogas but Yogi Ramacharaka has a gift for explaining them in a way that I can easily understand and remember the differences.Before I found this book, I had only known about Hatha Yoga, which I practice periodically. Anyway, this book is an eye-opener for me and I definitely suggest it to the thinkers out there in the world.

The self-discovery journey via yoga philosophy goes deeper and wider with Advanced Course, much more so than with Fourteen Lessons. With concise language, these lessons will have you thinking about your purpose and how you fit into the entire puzzle of the world. It’s brilliantly written with concise language that really inspires. I highly recommend this set of books.

The book starts with an analysis of the spiritual classic "Light on the Path," which I've read years ago and loved. Yogi Ramacharaka's enlightening commentary helped me delve deeper and truly appreciate this timeless book. Then it explains the various paths of yoga (Karma, Gnani, Bhakti), and after delving into the philosophy of human action (basically Ethics or the Dharma), it moves on to the Metaphysics and Ontology of Eastern thought. Every chapter is well-structured and after reading the whole book you will have a very good understanding of Eastern philosophy in general. This is a great follow-up to the Fourteen Lessons and I definitely recommend both books.

The Advanced Course is full of inspiration and knowledge that will guide your personal development. I think the optimal would be to read this book (and Fourteen Lessons) while also maintaining a hatha yoga practice - to exercise the mind, body and spirit. I was especially moved with the first few lessons, the Light on the Path section, featuring ideas that are revelant today. For example, "To tear out a bad habit by the roots, requires almost superhuman strength of will, but to crowd it out by nursing a good habit in its place, is far more easier and seems to be nature's plan. The good habit will gradually crowd the bad one until it cannot exist, and then after a final struggle for life, it will expire." Definitely worth the money and the time to read it.