Review: Compare and contrast for a better understanding
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 21, 2014
I thought it would be instructive to compare this Charles Johnston translation, sutra by sutra, to Chip Hartranft's Shambhala version of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.  I'm glad I also have the Shambhala book, because some of the typos in this Kindle book make it at times a real head scratcher.  Here are some of the funnier ones:* Through the weakening of the causes of bondage, and by learning the method of sassing, the consciousness is transferred to the other body.* Vestures of consciousness are built up in conformity with the Boston of the feeling of selfhood.* In the internals of the batik, other thoughts will arise, through the impressions of the dynamic mind-images.I'm glad I had the Hartranft version to be able to figure out what was being said.Unlike Hartranft and most modern translators, Johnston takes exception with calling the sutras "aphorisms", pointing out that aphorisms are really standalone gems of wisdom, while sutras are interdependent. I kind of agree with that.  But, being an older translation, the word use is a bit quaint.  For example, Johnson likes the word "psychic", but more in the sense of psychological, not extrasensory perception.  He uses the phrase "judicial action" to connote "reflection-free".  He's fond of the word "unwisdom", which Hartranft translates as "not seeing things as they are".  And he does over-explain sutras that don't need that much explanation to comprehend.  But then, Hartranft goes into great detail also.The lesson to be learned is that, if you're interested in the original philosophy of Yoga and not just the postures, you should read more than one version of this seminal and relatively short book.  Translations are always tricky, so if you compare and contrast different versions from various time periods and interpreters, you'll achieve a better understanding of the original work.