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Serving, Contemplating and Praying: Non-Postural Yoga(s), Embodiment and Spiritual Capital

Author

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  • Matteo Di Placido

    (Department of Sociology and Social Research, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan 20126, Italy)

Abstract

In this paper, I discuss the role of spiritual seekers’ embodiment of karma, jnana and bhakti yoga(s) in the context of a neo-Vedantic, non-monastic ashram located in southern-Europe, an ashram I regard as an example of modern denominational yoga. Methodologically, I rely on an ex-post multi-sensory autoethnography, involving apprenticeship and full participation immersion, and I share with physical cultural studies a commitment to empirically contextualise the study of the moving body. Theoretically, I employ Shilling’s theory of the body as a multi-dimensional medium for the constitution of society , enriched by other theoretical and sensitising concepts. The findings presented in this paper show that the body of the seekers/devotees can be simultaneously framed as the source of, the location for and the means to, the constitution of the social, cultural and spiritual life of the ashram. As I discuss the development, interiorisation and implementation of serving , contemplative and devotional dispositions , which together form the scheme of dispositions that shape a yogic habitus , I also consider the ties between the specific instances under study and the more general spiritual habitus . The paper ends by broadening its focus in relation to the inclusion of Asian practices and traditions into the Western landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo Di Placido, 2018. "Serving, Contemplating and Praying: Non-Postural Yoga(s), Embodiment and Spiritual Capital," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:8:y:2018:i:3:p:78-:d:168716
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    Cited by:

    1. David H. K. Brown, 2019. "Physical Culture," Societies, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, March.

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