The first notions affected by the global revival of Yoga are those of Indology and Hinduism, the two main perspectives under which the Vedic heritage has been approached by thinkers from Europe. Yoga being the foundation of Vedic science provides an unbiased approach to the Vedic heritage which gradually transforms the limited notions of the past.
The expressions (sutras) on perfection (siddhi) in Patanjali’s exposition of Yoga (Yoga sutras) characterize the high degree of self-sufficiency every human being is able to achieve. The Yoga sutras recommend
- (I) not to exploit and damage the environment to optimize the quality of live but rather develop harmonious dealing with nature,
- (II) not to enslave others to fulfill one's desires but rather cultivate everyone's innate potential fully,
- (III - V) not over exert body, vitality and senses bat rather promote and maintain a balanced physiology through preventative measures, and
- (VI – VIII) do not exhaust while being creative but rather develop "soft thinking" which coordinates thinking with relaxation and balanced intelligence.
By practicing the time-proven lifestyle techniques of the Yoga sutras, the standards set by the eight-limbed (ashtanga) Yoga of Patanjali (wholeness I to VIII) are realized. The principle which allows perfection in direct experience - siddhi phenomena - will transform Indology towards a live-relevant study of the Veda which promots cultural integrity and invincibility of the nations.
At the beginning of the 21st century, Indology and the practice of Yoga are still separated. Indology is defined as the academic study of the cultures and languages related to the Vedic heritage of India, while the practice of Yoga and Meditation is part of the personal daily routine recommended by Indian Yogis to every individual on earth. Indological study is a full time activity using strategies which emphasize reasoning and verbal expression according to standards taught at schools, colleges, and universities. The regular practice of yoga and meditation supplements the predominant daily activity of the individual to maintain balance in life by realizing the yogic quality standards (siddhis).
In reviewing typical books, the developments during the 50 years starting from the 1970s are presented
(1) in the field of Indology, and(2) in the realm of Yoga-practice :
The following steps are covered:
(1.1) academic translation of the Yoga sutras and of traditional commentaries,
(1.2) evaluation of siddhi phenomena from the indological perspective,
(1.3) neuropsychological effects of studying the Vedic literature (Sanskrit Effect),
(1.4) Yoga sutras confirmed by and confirming scientific discoveries.
(2.1) Goals of Maharishi European Research University,
(2.2) TM-Sidhi-Experiences of MERU Researchers,
(2.3) Yoga sutras in the light TM-Sidhi experiences ( Purusha Jan Müller) and
(2.4) advances in artificial intelligence supporting siddhis (Heinz Krug’s brain software).
Selected passages from the following publications document this development:
1. (Indology:) Lies with long Legs (Prodosh Aich;2003, 2017) 1.1 Complete Commentary of Shankara on the Yoga Sutra's (T. Leggett, 1984)
1.2 Yoga Powers (Knut Jacobsen, Ed.;2012)
1.3 Sanskrit Effect (James Hartzell et al, NeuroImage 131, 181-192, 2016)
1.4 Before the Beginning and after the End (Rishi Kumar Mishra, 2000)
2.4 Research Programmes (Maharishi European Research University, 1976) 2.3 Experiences with the TM-Sidhi Programm (Chr. Kniffki, H, Selye, B. Zeiger, 1979)
2.2 Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (Jan Müller, 2023)
2.1 Brain Software (Heinz Krug, Gerd Unruh; 2018)
2. Maharishi Vedic University (1994)