Summary
B.K.S. Iyengar opens “Light on Life” with a deeply personal yet universal message. In the preface, he presents his journey from disadvantaged beginnings to yoga mastery not as an exceptional case, but as evidence that dedicated practice (sadhana) can transform anyone’s life. His narrative serves to bridge the gap between the seemingly insurmountable challenge of self-realization and the practical reality of persistent effort.
The introduction weaves together his personal history with yoga’s evolution in Western consciousness over the past half-century. Born during the 1918 influenza epidemic in India, Iyengar’s early life was marked by serious health challenges that shaped his initial approach to yoga. His transformation began at age fourteen under the guidance of his brother-in-law and guru, T. Krishnamacharya, at the Mysore Palace yoga school.
What makes his perspective particularly valuable is his understanding of how people approach yoga. He acknowledges that most practitioners begin with practical concerns – physical health, stress management, or specific ailments – rather than seeking spiritual enlightenment. Rather than dismissing these entry points, he recognizes them as valid first steps on a deeper journey.
The text establishes yoga as a comprehensive system for human development, one that transcends cultural and religious boundaries while remaining true to its philosophical roots. Iyengar positions yoga as a response to fundamental human needs: physical and mental health, understanding, wisdom, peace, and freedom.
His seventy years of practice inform a perspective that is both practical and profound. While emphasizing that benefits begin immediately, he illuminates yoga’s deeper potential for transformation. The introduction sets the stage for exploring what he calls the “Inward Journey” – a systematic approach to understanding and integrating the various layers of human existence, from the physical body to the soul.
The writing maintains a fine balance between accessibility and depth, offering both practical guidance and philosophical framework for practitioners at all levels. It stands as both a testament to yoga’s transformative power and a roadmap for those seeking to explore its full potential.
Questions to observe during the reading:
1. Who is the “father of yoga” according to Iyengar?
2. Why did Iyengar start practicing yoga?
3. How does yoga “release the creative power of life”?
