If the question is simply about “the laws”, then I don’t see why a person couldn’t do yoga on Monday evening and observe the Sabbath on Friday evening. I rather think a half hour of vipassanna-style meditation ahead of a Jewish or Christian prayer service would be a good idea and maybe a good half hour after as well.

The rabbinic sages used to recommend such silent meditation before and after prayer and since we don’t know precisely what form that meditation took, I can’t see why borrowing a meditative practice originally based in Buddhism would do any harm if a person’s main focus is remaining true to her own tradition.

But that is where the deeper issue of motivation comes in. Often the reason for trying different practices is that the soul isn’t finding the nourishment it needs in merely observing the laws or rules of our own tradition. Our religion has become dry or bland. We are seeking something extra, some juice, some spice, thinking if I sprinkle a little Buddhism here, a little yoga there, then I’ll add some flavor.

Yet I believe the soul likes to walk in simplicity and that having multiple spiritual commitments is very complicated.

Rodger Kamenetz holds a dual appointment as professor of English and religious studies at Louisiana State University. He lives in New Orleans. He is the author of "The Jew in the Lotus" and eight other books. His latest, "The History of Last Night’s Dream", is coming in the fall from Harper One.