Meticulously researched and compellingly written, The Gift of Consciousness is an engaging and approachable overview of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras through the prism of both Eastern and Western psychology. Grounded in a thorough knowledge of the Sanskrit original and training in psychology, Gitte Bechsgaard opens out these complex texts to the general reading public. Bechsgaard's clear-eyed approach makes this ancient text relevant to anyone interested in Yoga philosophy and practice. This book, with its emphasis on integrating Yogic insights into everyday life, will be an important resource for...

The book sits at the nexus of a number of important debates including: the role of religion in public life, the connection between religion and physical and psychological well-being, and the implications of the loss of ritual in terms of maintaining communities.