An interview with the writer of “The Superyogi Scenario”
James Connor is a man with an amazing story. He had a good life and was rich and happy, but decided one day to make a difficult choice. This choice changed the man he is but in a very good way. Through years of self discovery he got the idea for a book that is nothing like you have read before. It is the ‘The Superyogi Scenario” and deals mainly with a new breed of superheroes and supervillains. It is an amazing book, and I had the chance to ask him a few questions. He is a wonderful man and his book you will not want to miss out on.
So what inspired you to come up with “The Superyogi Scenario”?
It is kind of a funny story. I went on a 3 year meditation retreat and during it thought how to share my transformations with others. I thought I should first write a formal darma book, but not a lot of people will read that. I noticed in 2010 how superheroes were very popular and thought to put the two together. There are many incredible historic precidents that I found while studying the Yoga Sutra. I felt I could do a modern take on what Master Patanjali did in the Yoga Sutra.
How did you come up with such great heroes and villains?
I started in the book with what makes heroes and villains. A hero is someone who puts others needs before their own, and a villain put their own desires at the expense of others. We can all get better at putting others needs before our own; it is how heroes and villains are made and what makes them. What we all can do to develop the superhero in each of us.
It has been said you based this book on the “Yoga Sutra”. Why is the “Yoga Sutra” so important?
It is a brute text that was written in the 2nd Century by Patanjali and is used by all yoga lineages. The Yoga Sutra has 195 verses, and 11% of it deals with how supernormal abilities are developed. It says that really cool things can happen when you meditate like supernormal abilities. The 1st chapter is on why there is a need to meditate, the 2nd chapter is on practices supporting meditation, the 3rd chapter is on mystical powers, and the 4th is on final transformations of the mind.
You were once a high powered CEO, how did you decide to give it all up?
It is interesting, I had a new business in NY for 14 years and it was very successful. I was rich, happy and was able to look people in the eye I helped. But the happier I got the more aware I got of how tired and unhappy others were. I had meditated almost every day for 10 years, and my mind became clearer. If I devoted my full effort to path of meditation I wanted to see how far it could take me. I was willing to be a spiritual test pilot. So I had an opportunity to sell my business and I took it. I gave away the money I made from my business deal to charities. After that I went on a 3 year retreat where I spent over 1,000 days in meditation. I can say from this experience that the transformations of the mind are real. There is nothing better than a simple calm mind and a love in your heart for everyone.
What is the main message of the “Superyogi Scenario”?
To have everyone get better at putting others needs above their own, and to have a deeper understanding of the true nature of reality. The main thing it takes the next level on what really then describes what makes someone a Superyogi. By using right action they fight the temptation to use their powers selfishly. It is putting other people first and the power of having both wisdom and right action.
Why do you think this book is needed?
I love how the culture is obsessed with superheroes right now. There is a deep emotional level to want to see good triumph over evil. That desire is growing around the world, the stronger we get the better we get connected to the struggles of others. So this book represents the next step in the superhero story evolution. I find it interesting that yoga and meditation is available to nearly everybody. It is written in the yoga texts how people can gain supernormal abilities by growing in wisdom and merit. But people want something more democratic, everyone has a wish to be superheroes ourselves. That has to come through wisdom and love.
Where and when can people get the book?
The book comes out June 4th and is available in eBook from amazon.com; they have the exclusive on the special edition. It is $7.99 and comes with 7 character renderings and is in a high matte glossy format. It will also be available at all major booksellers.
Do you have any final things to say to your audience?
I am mostly happy the book fell into your lap Jay. You are the right person to articulate what makes this book special. It is an awesome new universe that I am creating and I am really enjoying writing the sequel “Superyogi Seduction” that comes out in 2016.
Watch the book trailer here: