This chapter treats the Patañjali Yoga-Sūtras and their relevance to contemporary theory and research in parapsychology. A constant feature of this chapter is its description of ways in which Indian psychophysical practises and principles, as illustrated in the Patañjali Yoga-;Sūtras, both inform and are supported by psi (parapsychological) research and theory. Like the Yoga- Sūtras themselves, the chapter has four major sections. These sections will address the context, principles, and practises of the Yoga-Sūtras; the nature, methods, and findings of current parapsychological research; the interrelationships of the Yoga-Sūtras, the siddhis, and psi research; and additional and alternative considerations of Yoga principles and practices.

Patañjali Yoga-Sūtras: Principles and Practices

The Patañjali Yoga-Sūtras is the basic text of Yoga, one of the six great orthodox schools or systems (darśana, views) of Indian philosophy/psychology. These six systems of thought – grouped as three pairs that share metaphysical similarities – are Vaiśeṣika and Nyāya, Sāṃkhya and Yoga, and Mīmāṃsā and Vedānta.