Yoga remains a difficult issue to discuss in this century. Globalization seems to have vanquished the real meaning and purpose of this miraculous ancient art. To facilitate people’s understanding, the mysteries of yoga and all its intricacies have been simplified into the modern day version of yoga practice.
The intricate nature of its full contents might cause some confusion among people from the western world. It is a very dangerous and unethical to merely dabble on the surface and then talk about this subject as an expert! Yoga poses and exercises are mainly perceived as a physical activity in the western part of the world. The once respected and revered philosophy has been reduced to a mere speech of attaining inner balance and peace.
This unique practice is actually a religious journey, a representation of one of the Hindu schools of thought. Indians understand that is not a mere physical activity, but yoga is part of a spiritual development that is realized through a systematic and disciplined physical approach. It is unfortunate that the western world would approach yoga as a mere physical activity.
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. Ironically, it is practiced as a popular form of sports. It also does a good job attracting those who wish to obtain inner peace and balance in the midst of the hectic modern lifestyle. The allure of the benefits of yoga as an effective way to gain inner peace and balance has beckoned many to embrace this activity as well.
The principle of Hinduism that governs the yoga practice does not recognize the greed for power and wealth, which is obviously a value of prime importance in the western world. Therefore, it is believed that the westerners will never reach the pinnacles of true wisdom dictated by the parameters of the Hindu religion. One needs to possess both time and patience to fully reap the rewards of a successful meditative session. This is what the westerners lack. The west seems cursed with the obsession to pursue the goal of building better lives in the form of lavish lifestyles and not in the philosophical way.
Here, yoga as been practiced by those who desire to look good and stay in style. 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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