Q. Sometimes one hears of dharma practice spoken about in terms of growth and development. Is this a valid way of approaching practice? Is there a danger of a western pre-occupation with the self and ego leading to a wrong take on practice?

A. When we practice correctly the eightfold path embraced by going for refuge ‘growth and development’, as you call it, will unfold naturally as the fruit of correct practice. If we try to shape it, and make it how we think growth and development should be (or rather, how we would like it to be), then you can be sure this will become delicious fodder for the self as it proceeds to reshape itself into becoming a wonderfully wise ‘enlightened being’.