Changing Mind: Mind, Consciousness and Identity in Patanjali’s Yoga-Sutra and Cognitive Neuroscience

This book by Dr. Desmarais is by al means a positive contribution in the field of Yoga, Indology and cognitive neurosciences.  It covers Eastern and Western, ancient and modern aspects as well as religion and metaphysics, psychology and epistemology including cultural heritage.  The book is arranged in six chapters using the common concept of show as a metaphysical stage: getting ready for the show; entering the theatre; taking the stage; all the world as stage; following the plot; thickening of the plot; and finally, the lights come up.  This has its source in the Samkhya metaphor of Prakrti as analogous to a diving actor, on the world stage and in a cosmic drama.  Another symbolic metaphor that comes before our mind is that of Ardhanarinatesvara of Lord Siva, depicted as the Cosmic divine Supreme actor endowed with half-female in his person.  The reader, the spectator or audience member, symbolizes the Purusa of Samkhya and Yoga.  The author, using this structure, rovides an excellent exposition of the contents of the Yoga-sutra text of Patanjali; serially, with all its major technical terms and concepts.  Dr. Desmarais, with utmost care and balance, focuses on mind, consciousness and identity as the central trinity.  Within this, the complex issue of mind and its relation to matter is considered from a number of dimensions in the Yoga-sutra.