Ep 185 Shyam Ranganathan - Cultural Filtering and Colonialism in Yoga

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Dr. Shyam Ranganathan discusses explores the themes of yoga, anti-colonial philosophy, and action-focused guide to practice. He highlights the concept of the Linguistic Account of Thought (LAT) and how it has led to cultural filtering and colonialism. He also explains the difference between understanding and belief, emphasizing that action is about choice, not belief. Dr. Ranganathan challenges the Western appropriation of yoga and the secularization of Indian philosophy, advocating for a more nuanced and responsible approach to understanding other cultures.

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Key Points

·      The Linguistic Account of Thought (LAT) has led to cultural filtering and colonialism, as it restricts understanding to what is culturally familiar.

·      Understanding and belief are distinct concepts, with understanding being an engaged event and belief being a passive state of existence.

·      It is possible to look at another culture without imposing one's own interpretive box, but it requires adopting a different method and being open to learning.

·      Action is about choice, not belief, and belief can hinder understanding and autonomy.

·      The Western appropriation of yoga and the secularization of Indian philosophy perpetuate white supremacy and overlook the rich philosophical traditions of South Asia.

·      There are four basic ethical theories, including virtue ethics, and sovereignty and autonomy are important in yoga practice. Yoga encompasses different ethical theories, including consequentialism, deontology, and bhakti yoga.

·      Consequentialism in yoga focuses on reducing suffering as the ultimate goal.

·      Deontology in yoga emphasizes mastering certain actions and fulfilling one's special obligations.

·      Bhakti yoga starts with devotion to the ideal of the right and leads to personal autonomy.

·      Yoga is a practice of devotion to Ishvara and helps individuals overcome trauma and internalized experiences.