Spinoza’s Yoga : Practice of Power and Experience of the Infinite

Abstract

Humanity today holds unprecedented power over nature, but this achievement has led to crises—from extreme inequality to climate disaster—that seem beyond our control. Baruch Spinoza’s philosophy offers a profound perspective on this paradox and points to a possible solution. Spinoza suggests that real empowerment comes from enhancing the kind of knowledge we possess, revealing a limitless source of vitality in understanding ourselves as part of a greater whole. But to fully grasp and apply Spinoza's ideas, we must see him not just as a philosopher, but as a practitioner of a discipline akin to the “yoga” of India. Unlike most Indian yogic traditions, however, Spinoza’s approach emphasizes not renouncing desire but intensifying it. This fresh view makes Spinoza’s philosophy a practical guide for transforming how we live in the world, while also offering new insights into the relevance and application of Indian yogic traditions.

Published by University of Groningen Press Broerstraat 4 9712 CP Groningen

Typesetting: LINE UP boek en media bv | Mirjam Kroondijk Production support: LINE UP boek & media bv

Cover artwork: Matteo Ciardini

This is the author’s English translation of Andrea Sangiacomo, Lo yoga di Spinoza. Pratica della potenza ed esperienza dell’infinito, Milan: Mimesis 2024.

This is also the third volume of the Dhammavicaya Trilogy, which includes The Tragedy of the Self: Lectures on Global Hermeneutics (UGP 2023) as first volume, (https://doi.org/10.21827/63cfc0e9db70b) and An Introduction to Friendliness (mettā): Emotional Intelligence and Freedom in the Pāli Discourses of the Buddha (UGP 2022) as second volume (https://doi.org/10.21827/618a51bdd6187).

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