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The Equinox #3.04
Eight Lectures on Yoga
Aleister Crowley was among the first Europeans to study, practice and teach Yoga. His intellectual hallmark—a philosophical synthesis of mysticism, magick and science—is rooted in his Yoga studies in the East at the turn of the last century. These eight lectures, written in 1937, set forth some of Crowley's conclusions after a lifelong philosophical investigation.
Speaking in turns as mystic, magus, philosopher, scientist and seasoned adventurer, few sacred cows escape the Mahatma Guru Sri Paramahansa Shivaji, who even delights in poking fun at himself.
The first series of lectures is introductory, and is entitled Yoga for Yahoos. The elements of Yoga are introduced, examined and demystified with a view to extracting the practical essence of Yoga doctrine. Yoga is also correlated to astrology and the Qabalah.
The second, more advanced series of lectures is entitled Yoga for Yellowbellies. Here Crowley weaves Yoga into a conceptual framework that encompasses Western philosophy, magick and mathematical physics. He introduces relativity and quantum mechanics, and discusses their implications for ontology and consciousness.
Crowley's humor suffuses thee talks, which are as entertaining as they are illuminating, and his wit elucidates concepts that elude rational explanation.
Revised second edition, introduced and annotated by Hymenaeus Beta, Frater Superior of Ordo Templi Orientis. Includes a new author's portrait and index.
Speaking in turns as mystic, magus, philosopher, scientist and seasoned adventurer, few sacred cows escape the Mahatma Guru Sri Paramahansa Shivaji, who even delights in poking fun at himself.
The first series of lectures is introductory, and is entitled Yoga for Yahoos. The elements of Yoga are introduced, examined and demystified with a view to extracting the practical essence of Yoga doctrine. Yoga is also correlated to astrology and the Qabalah.
The second, more advanced series of lectures is entitled Yoga for Yellowbellies. Here Crowley weaves Yoga into a conceptual framework that encompasses Western philosophy, magick and mathematical physics. He introduces relativity and quantum mechanics, and discusses their implications for ontology and consciousness.
Crowley's humor suffuses thee talks, which are as entertaining as they are illuminating, and his wit elucidates concepts that elude rational explanation.
Revised second edition, introduced and annotated by Hymenaeus Beta, Frater Superior of Ordo Templi Orientis. Includes a new author's portrait and index.
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 1939
51 people are currently reading
924 people want to read
About the author
Aleister Crowley
1,005 books1,828 followersAleister Crowley was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, novelist, mountaineer, and painter. He founded the religion of Thelema, proclaiming himself as the prophet destined to guide humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, Crowley published extensively throughout his life.
Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he was raised in a wealthy family adhering to the fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith. Crowley rejected his religious upbringing, developing an interest in Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works during this period. In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, receiving training in ceremonial magic from Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. His travels took him to Mexico for mountaineering with Oscar Eckenstein and to India, where he studied Hindu and Buddhist practices.
In 1904, during a honeymoon in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley claimed to have received "The Book of the Law" from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This text became the foundation of Thelema, announcing the onset of the Æon of Horus and introducing the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt." Crowley emphasized that individuals should align with their True Will through ceremonial magic.
After an unsuccessful expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1905 and further travels in India and China, Crowley returned to Britain. There, he co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ with George Cecil Jones in 1907 to promote Thelema. In 1912, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), eventually leading its British branch and reformulating it according to Thelemic principles. Crowley spent World War I in the United States, engaging in painting and writing pro-German propaganda, which biographers later suggested was a cover for British intelligence activities.
In 1920, Crowley established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily. His libertine lifestyle attracted negative attention from the British press, leading to his expulsion by the Italian government in 1923. He spent subsequent years in France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema until his death in 1947.
Crowley's notoriety stemmed from his recreational drug use, bisexuality, and criticism of societal norms. Despite controversy, he significantly influenced Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture, and remains a central figure in Thelema.
Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he was raised in a wealthy family adhering to the fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith. Crowley rejected his religious upbringing, developing an interest in Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works during this period. In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, receiving training in ceremonial magic from Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. His travels took him to Mexico for mountaineering with Oscar Eckenstein and to India, where he studied Hindu and Buddhist practices.
In 1904, during a honeymoon in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley claimed to have received "The Book of the Law" from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This text became the foundation of Thelema, announcing the onset of the Æon of Horus and introducing the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt." Crowley emphasized that individuals should align with their True Will through ceremonial magic.
After an unsuccessful expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1905 and further travels in India and China, Crowley returned to Britain. There, he co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ with George Cecil Jones in 1907 to promote Thelema. In 1912, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), eventually leading its British branch and reformulating it according to Thelemic principles. Crowley spent World War I in the United States, engaging in painting and writing pro-German propaganda, which biographers later suggested was a cover for British intelligence activities.
In 1920, Crowley established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily. His libertine lifestyle attracted negative attention from the British press, leading to his expulsion by the Italian government in 1923. He spent subsequent years in France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema until his death in 1947.
Crowley's notoriety stemmed from his recreational drug use, bisexuality, and criticism of societal norms. Despite controversy, he significantly influenced Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture, and remains a central figure in Thelema.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 22, 2012
Consice , simple, and vital to any "Thelamites" curriculum vitae. It is too often forgotten, overlooked, or simply ignored that Crowley ended his life as a Mystic and viewed Yoga as an aim "Higher" than Magick. A goal to be achieved after one learned all one could from Magick. One of his last books..
October 20, 2017
Outstanding expository of yogic philosophy stripped of dogma. Further this analyses the essence of magick and religious mysticism. The language is extremely readable, despite the occasional joke inserted pertaining to specifically English or early 20th century culture. An essential read for the serious student of magick and yoga.
July 21, 2011
I learned most of my knowledge on Yoga in this small book!
January 20, 2019
feel free to correct me/answer my questions. I write as I read. As you can see with my notes there is quite a bit of editing needed. Sentences are out of order and sometimes in the wrong essay. This makes re reading a necessity. He withholds knowledge on purpose and doesn’t explain enough sometimes. This leads me to believe just about any other book on the subject would be better. He does a lot of blah blah blah too.
Essay 1
Yoga is union of the perceived and what perceives. What perceives has been multiplied in quantity to increase its experiences, but our will(s) thus remains the same. (Amoeba example in essay 2). We must study experience/reality, which will bring us to the three principles of reality—impermanence of principle, change, sorrow. Desire for experiences brings sorrows. Each of us is opposites?? Apparently some of this is covered in a different book and so i don’t get this part. Minus points here, there should be a footnote.
Essay 2
This was confusing until I looked up what Yama is. Yama is something like moral precepts. The essay says that these moral rules should not necessarily be for all people or for all times. Rather the rules should be based on what you need to keep progressing on your journey to accomplishing your true will (to unite the perceiver and perceived?)which happens through the trial and error of experience of the journey.
Essay 3
Return to Yama. He admits his way is to explain the most with as little explanation as possible. Yama is to manage towards the goal of not having any negative energy disturbances (true will?).Thus, the rules should ...as said above.Practicing yoga makes you hypersensitive. Talks about various virtues of which are associated with a particular planet. These virtues aid/are necessary? To accomplish the goal.
Essay 4
Pranayama is the control of your muscles, conscious, and unconscious, so that no messages reach your mind.one shouldn’t do this abruptly, but in a rhythmic manner, slowing the rhythm until the standstill. Sitting still makes one conscious of the body. There are methods to dealing with the annoyances you feel while sitting, find your own. Long breaths to exhaust the muscular-system and still it. Four stages of results of doing this the first he will not tell you, the second he gives a hint.
Not going to finish
Essay 1
Yoga is union of the perceived and what perceives. What perceives has been multiplied in quantity to increase its experiences, but our will(s) thus remains the same. (Amoeba example in essay 2). We must study experience/reality, which will bring us to the three principles of reality—impermanence of principle, change, sorrow. Desire for experiences brings sorrows. Each of us is opposites?? Apparently some of this is covered in a different book and so i don’t get this part. Minus points here, there should be a footnote.
Essay 2
This was confusing until I looked up what Yama is. Yama is something like moral precepts. The essay says that these moral rules should not necessarily be for all people or for all times. Rather the rules should be based on what you need to keep progressing on your journey to accomplishing your true will (to unite the perceiver and perceived?)which happens through the trial and error of experience of the journey.
Essay 3
Return to Yama. He admits his way is to explain the most with as little explanation as possible. Yama is to manage towards the goal of not having any negative energy disturbances (true will?).Thus, the rules should ...as said above.Practicing yoga makes you hypersensitive. Talks about various virtues of which are associated with a particular planet. These virtues aid/are necessary? To accomplish the goal.
Essay 4
Pranayama is the control of your muscles, conscious, and unconscious, so that no messages reach your mind.one shouldn’t do this abruptly, but in a rhythmic manner, slowing the rhythm until the standstill. Sitting still makes one conscious of the body. There are methods to dealing with the annoyances you feel while sitting, find your own. Long breaths to exhaust the muscular-system and still it. Four stages of results of doing this the first he will not tell you, the second he gives a hint.
Not going to finish
February 13, 2025
Na wstępnie muszę wspomnieć, że pewnie większość mnichów i fanatyków religijnych powiesiłaby go na drzewie za to co uczynił z ich wiarą. Crowley jest bardzo pragmatycznym sceptykiem i zagarnia tylko to co jest esencją danego tematu, by użyć tego w swoich praktykach. Trzeba pamiętać, że Aleister był praktykującym magiem i próbował osiągnąć wszystko co można było osiągnąć w danej dziedzinie. Jeśli chodzi o medytacje, był to stan Samadhi.
Po przebiciu się przez jego filozoficzno-magiczne wywody (które będą trudną poprzeczną dla tych, którzy wcześniej nie mieli do czynienia z jego publikacjami i wiedzą ogólno religijną i ezoteryczną) docieramy do faktycznej praktyki, która dla wielu nie będzie osiągalna.
Wniosek jest prosty. By osiągnąć zakładane przez Crowley’a stany medytacyjne, musimy porzucić świat w jakim żyjemy. Już sto lat temu Aleister narzekał na hałas i szum tamtejszych “udogodnień” technologicznych i szum codziennych problemów zaprzątających nam głowę.
Niestety to niemożliwe dla wielu z nas by porzucić wszystko i zaszyć się gdzieś daleko od cywilizacji w jakiejś chatce w górach by przystąpić do praktyki medytacji. Mówię “niestety”, bo wiem, że wielu z nas po cichu o tym marzy. Nie bez powodu powtarzamy frazę “A może by to tak pier***** i wyjechać w Bieszczady”.
Sztuką jest kompletne odrzucenie przyszłości, teraźniejszości i przeszłości by żyć tylko tu i teraz. Mnisi trenują całe życie by osiągnąć ten stan wyciszenie.
Może zdarza Ci się stać pod prysznicem nie myśląc o niczym i skupiając się tylko na strumieniach wody uderzających w swoje ciało, kroplach wody spływających delikatnie w dół. To namiastka tego co Crowley próbuje cię nauczyć.
Jeśli faktycznie próbujesz osiągnąć cel praktyki medytacji proponowanej przez Aleistera, musisz zapoznać się z jego wcześniejszymi praktykami magicznymi. Crowley uczy swojej drogi i swojej wiary. Jest to bardzo specyficzna i często nieakceptowana przez innych magów droga. Wiedz w co się pakujesz adepcie i przeczytaj książkę parę razy, a najlepiej zajrzyj też do jego innych publikacji.
“Czyń swoją wolę, niech będzie całym prawem”
Po przebiciu się przez jego filozoficzno-magiczne wywody (które będą trudną poprzeczną dla tych, którzy wcześniej nie mieli do czynienia z jego publikacjami i wiedzą ogólno religijną i ezoteryczną) docieramy do faktycznej praktyki, która dla wielu nie będzie osiągalna.
Wniosek jest prosty. By osiągnąć zakładane przez Crowley’a stany medytacyjne, musimy porzucić świat w jakim żyjemy. Już sto lat temu Aleister narzekał na hałas i szum tamtejszych “udogodnień” technologicznych i szum codziennych problemów zaprzątających nam głowę.
Niestety to niemożliwe dla wielu z nas by porzucić wszystko i zaszyć się gdzieś daleko od cywilizacji w jakiejś chatce w górach by przystąpić do praktyki medytacji. Mówię “niestety”, bo wiem, że wielu z nas po cichu o tym marzy. Nie bez powodu powtarzamy frazę “A może by to tak pier***** i wyjechać w Bieszczady”.
Sztuką jest kompletne odrzucenie przyszłości, teraźniejszości i przeszłości by żyć tylko tu i teraz. Mnisi trenują całe życie by osiągnąć ten stan wyciszenie.
Może zdarza Ci się stać pod prysznicem nie myśląc o niczym i skupiając się tylko na strumieniach wody uderzających w swoje ciało, kroplach wody spływających delikatnie w dół. To namiastka tego co Crowley próbuje cię nauczyć.
Jeśli faktycznie próbujesz osiągnąć cel praktyki medytacji proponowanej przez Aleistera, musisz zapoznać się z jego wcześniejszymi praktykami magicznymi. Crowley uczy swojej drogi i swojej wiary. Jest to bardzo specyficzna i często nieakceptowana przez innych magów droga. Wiedz w co się pakujesz adepcie i przeczytaj książkę parę razy, a najlepiej zajrzyj też do jego innych publikacji.
“Czyń swoją wolę, niech będzie całym prawem”
April 23, 2014
Crowley is superb when he is in this Cambridge syncretist mood. In this classic work he successfully achieves two objectives: dispels the idea that yoga is a triviality and then manages to get across philosophical essentials without burdening the reader with romantic foreign terms. Except for the terms "Yama" and "Niyama" which he gets across with usual masterful prose, undisguised awe & fitting reverence for the culture of an obviously advanced, albeit ancient, human culture.
Yoga is probably not what you think it is. If you don't read this work you will remain ignorant of an essential strand of human wisdom. At least read the chapter on Yama (self-control, self-restraint, moral discipline) and Niyama (virtue, conduct, goals, attainment). How tragic that in the West, even today all of the subtlety of what it is to be a genuine human being has been drained by crude commercialist programming down to the mere chasing of money & animal comfort. What most people think of as Yoga, is actually its most trivial branch - there are eight branches by the way.
Nobody is happy in the West (even casual religionists), since virtually nobody realises that happiness is a long and arduous program of self-development. Crowley even goes so far as to say that yogic practice is a solemn Duty of Manhood.
Well, there's no better place than here to start your own journey, young 'un.
Om mane padme hummmmm :_P
Yoga is probably not what you think it is. If you don't read this work you will remain ignorant of an essential strand of human wisdom. At least read the chapter on Yama (self-control, self-restraint, moral discipline) and Niyama (virtue, conduct, goals, attainment). How tragic that in the West, even today all of the subtlety of what it is to be a genuine human being has been drained by crude commercialist programming down to the mere chasing of money & animal comfort. What most people think of as Yoga, is actually its most trivial branch - there are eight branches by the way.
Nobody is happy in the West (even casual religionists), since virtually nobody realises that happiness is a long and arduous program of self-development. Crowley even goes so far as to say that yogic practice is a solemn Duty of Manhood.
Well, there's no better place than here to start your own journey, young 'un.
Om mane padme hummmmm :_P
October 15, 2008
Unlike his insufferable autobiography, this one is much more readable. It helps to have some background in philosophy, logic and the kabbalah to get the maximum out of it (which I either never had or forgot.) No advice on yogic positions or anything you could take to yoga class at the gym. More of a discussion of the limbs of yoga and the altered states of consciousness associated with it. Generally clear and precise with good humor. Still, he can't resist referring to his own publications frequently. Imagine a much more self-aggrandizing and provocative Alan Watts. Enjoyable but requires a few readings.
January 27, 2011
Genius. Along with Book IV: Part II, Patanjali, and the works of Vivekenanda comprise all one needs in the way of yoga.
August 6, 2013
Read the Finnish edition to see how it is translated. An excellent and even humorous book, a cross-treatise on Yoga, metaphysics and mathematics and their internal relations. A must-read.
December 27, 2016
No nonsense, or total nonsense!
December 3, 2021
Not any how-to instructions, but very free flowing and thought provoking talks from probably the first western yogi, edited into text form about what we would nowadays call meditation (because yoga has come to mean only asana practises), but also how it relates to for example science or magick.
Like the practical attitude here, but for me personally the biggest lesson really was to understand how well known quantum theory was among read people almost hundred years ago already. Now I feel almost ashamed that I ever imagined it a recent development in physics.
Like the practical attitude here, but for me personally the biggest lesson really was to understand how well known quantum theory was among read people almost hundred years ago already. Now I feel almost ashamed that I ever imagined it a recent development in physics.
February 19, 2025
I'd call it a must read for every enthusiast who is being interested in yoga but still having some kind of doubts or is overwhelmed with its concepts and principles. I love Crowley's clarity and straightforwardness, the way he is speaking his mind through quite easy-to-get ideas is impressive and it's simple yet very insightful. He undervalued the whole esoterism and mysticism around yoga since the beginning and it made me very motivated to keep reading :)))
Plus his humour, it's top-tier in this context.
Plus his humour, it's top-tier in this context.
September 25, 2018
This book is of interest as its author is a very controversial Occultist that managed the Queens and courts of England with Alchemy. He was seen in levitation, and there was news of him being an accomplished yogi, with skills to support his practises in magic.
In a nutshell, he brings out keynotes of 'control,' 'breath' and 'mantra,' involuntary movements as 'frog' jumping and places it in a yoga contect. Actually he seems located in Thelema. The book frequently moves away from yoga and into ramblings.
Lacks focus or arrangement that should have been present at his level.
In a nutshell, he brings out keynotes of 'control,' 'breath' and 'mantra,' involuntary movements as 'frog' jumping and places it in a yoga contect. Actually he seems located in Thelema. The book frequently moves away from yoga and into ramblings.
Lacks focus or arrangement that should have been present at his level.
December 13, 2019
Amazing Book and One of my personal favourites.
This book changed my life.
I practised techniques mentioned inside in they worked!
I was sceptical about such things, but this is rare stuff that works.
This book changed my life.
I practised techniques mentioned inside in they worked!
I was sceptical about such things, but this is rare stuff that works.
January 1, 2020
Very readable, good balance of theory and practice.
June 10, 2020
A lot of esoteric yoga knowledge in there
October 8, 2020
Pretty good read.
July 25, 2021
Great, wish there was more!
March 11, 2022
Fantastic book that brings home how the yoga paths can and should be used within ceremonial magic .
May 18, 2024
Short, perhaps even too short, but on point. Feels both approachable but requiring some effort to understand and leaving the desire to learn more.
September 26, 2024
Great down to earth practical walkthrough with a great sense of humour and turn of phrase.
August 9, 2025
Pratico. Intellettuale. Filosofico.
February 16, 2014
Crowley doing what he sometimes does best: clear, lucid expositions, this time on yoga. If you fail to come away with the true understanding of yoga after reading this, well, may I suggest www.girlsinyogapants.com/ YELLOWBELLIES!
January 29, 2016
Not incredibly clear or to the point, though Crowley explores some useful ideas in the big picture of Yoga. This is not a book about asana, or even meditation or pranayama. Each lecture seems to examine an approach to Unity or Oneness. Yoga.
July 10, 2016
Much more on the philosophies of yoga than the actual practice. If that's what you're looking for, I'd suggest checking out the first half of Book 4. None the less though this was quite a good read and shed light on a few other things within the general scope of Thelema.
August 23, 2013
Excellent little volume...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews