Zen and the art of bullshit
05Jul. 09
Physical exercise is proven to have great effects for the body and mind; everybody should have at least some form of physical exercise each day, and in doing so contribute a great amount of time and thought into the activities workings. Yet there is a point where this physical education can lead into spiritual woo; in this case I am talking about the “Ancient Chinese Art of Yoga” which I am quite fond.
Participating within the sport of yoga has huge amounts of positive effects – yet it seems largely to dwell within the realms of “alternative” medicine – which has been proven to be pseudoscience. Positive effects of contributing to yoga are; increased muscular endurance, balance and control, as well as calming effects if you get ‘in the zone’, yet the underlying philosophies of yoga are questionable.
A major component of the yoga philosophy is that all living beings have an allocated number of breaths, and so by calming your ‘body and soul’ you extend your life by using fewer breaths. As well as this, yoga is associated with the belief in CHI (Ki and Qui), which can raise eyebrows to the efficacy or desirability of the workout. It is also known that lifestyles with lower amounts of stress contribute to a longer life, yet if you participate in the class you gain the benefits of increasing your balance, endurance and flexibility you are prone to be exposed to the ancient Chinese philosophy.
I personally recommend being part of a yoga/callisthenics class, it feels great and has been shown to have enormous effects on your personal health– but if or when you do just keep in mind that you are really there for the physical benefits, not the bullshit.
Tags: Alternative Medicine, medicine, Woo, Yoga, Zen
July 14th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Elliot
With great respect for this Website, I have a problem with some of the comments that I’ve been reading.
What is a skeptic? You state:
”…It is because of skeptic’s embedded moral value of materialistic and physical science that [a skeptic] has [the need] to “debunk” [the] pseudo-scientific claims (psychics, mediums, homeopathy, UFO sightings etc.) … “
Hey, I know where you’re coming from, I understand totally and it’s healthy to be skeptical. But, a skeptic that feels the need to simply ridicule and criticize everything is very tedious to digest. I am the first to encourage people to Ask the big questions… get the facts and don’t be fooled into believing the [proverbial] ridiculous. It’s so easy to criticize…the world isn’t offering up facts on a silver platter.
Skeptics do have to take on the issues and be prepared to do some work – if it’s that important to them. The world would be a better place if the energy of all skeptics could be used for good instead of evil. They should help find the good/bad evidence they’re so hungry for. Research, research, research – any topic that takes their fancy, before getting stuck in with predictable venomous diatribe… find the PROOF and dispel those nasty rumors and medical folklore etc. once and for all.
But what constitutes evidence? I guess we could conservatively accept findings that are relevant to at least 33.33% of the population (say 100,000 sample) that takes part in each study. And hurry up, I’m sooo impatient for the results.
When it comes to chinese medicine, what would qualify as evidence, 3000 years of observation? Yoga, maybe 1000 odd years of indian-whispers couldn’t come to much either I guess.
July 15th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Hi Beth,
I appreciate your reply.
Cutting to the chase. 3000 years of Chinese medicine and 1000 years of yoga would not qualify as evidence. This is called an appeal to the ancients. Just because something is old and has been used for a long time doesn’t mean it actually works.
Now if we could verify these therapies with double blind trials then there would be something to it! But so far these therapies have been shown to be nothing more than placebo and in the case of yoga, can actually be harmful to your health!
Science is the best thing we have for understanding what our universe actually is and how it operates. What other option do you posit?
In regards to the comments you read. This is a community. People have the right to say what ever they wish (with in reason). So if you find something “hard to digest” then that is your own issue. Not everyone believes in the things you believe in. If you have a hard time with this then that is something you will need to overcome. I do not control what people say.
Thanks!
Elliot Birch
July 15th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Beth, you must also take in to account that this is also a place that like minded people can let their hair down. That does not mean that we apply undue sarcasm elsewhere. Also sometimes claims are so ridiculous that sarcasm or even anger can be justified.
You must also consider that during that 1000 years very little had changed in these methods. It is not necessarily because it was perfect, rather it became a cultural habit if you will. It is only in the very recent years (relatively) that humanity has established such a brilliant way to really understand our world without the cultural and tradition biases. And lastly, if these methods or products are so great, having been around for so long, then when we turn a scientific eye to them they should pass with flying colours, right?
July 17th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Elliot and Dan
Finally, I have a rational, if not a little predictable, response. We do all have differing opinions — and we should accept everyone’s point of view without the need to denigrate or persecute anyone for holding an opposing view. Hope to read more of this in future! Meanwhile I’ll stay out of your way and feel sure that you will support me in my venture to discover the workings of this planet in my own preferred way.
XX
July 17th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Hi Beth,
I believe I was being fairly rational from the start. Also, just to reinforce something, we do not have to accept everyone’s point of view. If another persons point of view is fallacious or merely dead wrong, then we shouldn’t accept it. Would you accept someones opinion if it was wrong?
I appreciate your response however.
Thank you.
July 17th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Hi Beth, yes in most cases people can have opinions that arent exactly reality or just plain ignorant (in its purest meaning). It is those other cases in which certain ‘opinions’ can cause harm that mean sites like this are needed. I couldnt recommend this other site for you more strongly, to get some balance to your opinion and enhance your discovery of how we all effect each other. http://whatstheharm.net/
Ciou