Assignment 2: Essay (2500 words). Choose one of the following questions:
1 Compare premodern systems of yoga and meditation in South Asia with contemporary global cultures of yoga and meditation.
2 What is mindfulness meditation? Discuss understandings and practices both in traditional Buddhism and in contemporary secular health.
3 Compare the philosophy of mind-body relationship in at least two religious or secular traditions. (At least one tradition should be Hindu or Buddhist).
4 What were the historical factors that led to the global spread of yoga?
5 Assess the extent to which the health benefits of meditation can be measured by contemporary science research.
6 Evaluate the intersection of gender and race in global yoga and/or meditation.
7 Yoga and meditation are religious practices that should not be taught in schools. Discuss with reference to case examples (including one legal example).
8 In what ways have Asian mind-body practices impacted upon western psychology?
