Posts Tagged ‘Ilona Selke’

Yoga of the Soul

by on Thursday, June 28th, 2012

Despite its title, Yoga of the Soul is not a handbook of yoga poses. The original Veggie-Blog description introduces a spiritual narrative about soulmates, love, free will and the possibility of profound personal connection. The author’s own material identifies the work more fully as Dolphins, Love & Destiny: Yoga of the Soul by Ilona Selke. This distinction matters if you are choosing a book to read or looking for it online.

What is the book really about?

According to the original description, the story explores romantic and spiritual relationships, destiny and the way people interpret extraordinary experiences. It uses language about consciousness and a “time-space matrix” to frame those themes. On her website, Ilona Selke also describes the book as part of her writing about dolphins, relationships and awareness.

These are the author’s spiritual interpretations, not established findings in physics or psychology. A reader can appreciate a personal account without treating its metaphysical claims as measurable scientific facts.

Is this the same as conventional yoga?

Only in a broad philosophical sense. In many traditions, yoga includes ideas about self-understanding and connection, but this particular book is primarily concerned with love and consciousness rather than a sequence of postures. Anyone looking for stretches, strength training or a beginner’s yoga class should choose a practical exercise guide instead.

Who might enjoy it?

Readers who enjoy reflective memoirs, spiritual relationships, unusual experiences and questions about destiny may find the premise intriguing. Readers wanting research-based explanations of relationships, or evidence-based mental health advice, should understand that this is not that kind of book.

How to approach the claims thoughtfully

It is reasonable to ask which parts are personal experience, which are metaphor, and which are claims about the external world. If you want a scientifically grounded overview of meditation, the NIH’s NCCIH summary of meditation and mindfulness is a useful companion. It discusses evidence and limitations without asking readers to accept a particular spiritual worldview.

More on Veggie-Blog: What Is Yoga? and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

Book: Dolphins, Love & Destiny: Yoga of the Soul by Ilona Selke
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you)