I have been thinking about the various approaches to practice in the West, and the inevitable reactions to them, and what it all means, what it's all about. The issue is the Westernization of practice. Is it really a bad thing? What is it, what drives it? Why does it matter?
For example the arts of Tai Chi, Yoga, and Mindfulness have been, in the eyes of some, watered-down for the Western lifestyle. There is no argument on this point. For the majority of people, yoga is asana practice, Tai Chi is choreographed form, and mindfulness is learning to pay attention to the moment. And that's all. Of course, those who have chosen to delve deeper into these arts know there is more--lots more--to these practices. We assume they are presented this way to make them easier and appealing to more people. And that assumption wouldn't be all wrong. It also wouldn't be all right.
Continued Below
For example the arts of Tai Chi, Yoga, and Mindfulness have been, in the eyes of some, watered-down for the Western lifestyle. There is no argument on this point. For the majority of people, yoga is asana practice, Tai Chi is choreographed form, and mindfulness is learning to pay attention to the moment. And that's all. Of course, those who have chosen to delve deeper into these arts know there is more--lots more--to these practices. We assume they are presented this way to make them easier and appealing to more people. And that assumption wouldn't be all wrong. It also wouldn't be all right.
Continued Below
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