I witnessed this family standing on the train platform while I was listening to a teleseminar from Paul Muller-Ortega on the “four stages of the word.” That a family dressed this way was waiting for the train gave rise to much thought for me about how I seek to integrate yoga practice into my daily life in a modern Western culture. How much is compromise or disservice to the “purity” of the teachings and how much of it is a part of a pulsing, growing, changing intersection of peoples and times?
“How much is compromise or disservice to the “purity” of the teachings and how much of it is a part of a pulsing, growing, changing intersection of peoples and times?”
Yep, this is the hard question: where do you compromise? — or is it a compromise, or simply evolution in response to changing times?
Or to put it another way: Looking at the Amish people in the photo makes me think there’s something to be said for plain dress; when everyone dresses the same, you can focus on the people rather than the clothing. At the same time, plain dress does seem a bit too rigid.
I don’t think there’s a final answer to all this. It’s a balancing act.
glad you put “purity” in quotes… have you read the book Yoga Body by Mark Singleton? Makes the case for pulsing growing changing intersection, in my understanding.