Yoga does not seem to command the same form of respect from modern day society as it once did in the past. This ancient art is based on age-old wisdom and philosophy, and yet globalization has diminished its real purpose and meaning. The real philosophy behind yoga may be complex, but modern day interpretation of yoga has reduced the confusing structure into a simpler form. The contents of yoga are exceptionally intricate and thus westerners may find it hard to understand. It is always a risky affair to talk about a complex subject by merely grasping the basics. Yoga is often viewed as a physical journey, instead of a spiritual one in the western part of the world. Yoga has been reduced to a physical activity that focuses merely on achieving internal balance and meditation.
It is one of the six schools of Hindu thoughts has roots deep within the pages of the Hindu Holy Scriptures. Yoga as a part of India’s diverse culture and philosophy is actually a spiritual experience that includes some complicated physical moves. But the western world prefers to refer yoga as a mere physical practice. Yoga with its strange looking symbols may seem mystical to the average Joe, is often enough to perk up a considerable level of interest in the hidden aspects of this ancient practice, but sadly, they are often misunderstood. It is practiced as a popular sport. Nevertheless many have been attracted to yoga as a form of practice to achieve inner peace and balance.
People are fascinated by the claims made by the yoga masters who often come with these promises. The numerous amount of fatal errors found in the practice of yoga outside of India shows that this art has been widely misunderstood at large.
A closer look revealed that these errors were caused by the cultural influence of each race. It appears that the west is not prepared to pay the price necessary to gain a deeper understanding of this philosophy. Sometimes, the most important part of this practice is neglected, for instance the essential meditation. The west seems obsessed with the desire to accumulate massive amounts of wealth and gaining power, which is a priority according the principles of Hinduism. True wisdom, as defined by the parameters of the Hindu religion would be an impossible feat to achieve when this paradigm is adopted. Patience and time is crucial for meditation. The westerners do not view investment in such contemplative moments for the attainment of philosophical wisdom to be beneficial.
Ironically, yoga has been implemented as fashion in the western part of the world. There are plenty of materials promoting it as a form of sports; you can practice yoga anywhere and anytime you want. There are famous people who embraced this practice and become fake gurus and still they have enough support from their followers. Obedient disciples of this distorted form of yoga have become agents of growth of this unhealthy philosophy.
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