When we believe something to be "tradition," we don't feel compelled to analyze it thoroughly. Someone may question our beliefs or actions and we can say, "It has been done this way for thousands of years. It is traditional." As if the fact of other people doing something, no matter the popularity or time period, justifies our thoughts or actions.
The biggest problem with tradition is that it doesn't demand personal integrity from us. We should be able to explain our beliefs and actions with precision and clarity, or even the inevitable "I don't know." Invoking "tradition" is an admission that we don't know what we are doing or why without the humility or curiosity to explore further. Our egos like structure. They don't like uncertainty, and they certainly don't like "I don't know." Tradition is comfortable in that way; it gives us security and strength in numbers without requiring effort or precision.
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This journal honors my ongoing experience with the practice, study and teaching of yoga.
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