Author: Somanjana C. Bhattacharya
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: May 1, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/252796/This-exacerbates-the-confusion-of-the-Desi-GenNext.html
The misrepresentation of Yoga in the West
as just another weight loss, stress-busting regime burdens the young Hindu
American with more stereotypes about India and forces him to wander rootless
through life
Last year, I conducted a session on religious
studies, on perception of world religion to a group of budding sophomores
at Meridien, Connecticut. While students from various religious affiliations
participated in passionate discussions on rituals, symbols and ideology, there
was this one Hindu boy of Indian origin-I knew he was Hindu from the student
bio-sat quietly with utter disdain. Was it contempt of one's own creed? Or
was it an overt act of agnosticism I do not know. But his pathos detachment
from his faith by birth made me a little perplexed.
Hinduism is perhaps the most misunderstood
way of life in the world, by both the contemplative practitioner and the speculative
trailblazer. The myriad of customs or rituals encompassing the average 'believer'
of today is a severe divergence from the core Hindu philosophy of the 'seeker'
from the ancient time. In antithesis to the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity
and Islam) that exemplify monotheism, the polytheism of Indian philosophies
comprising various schools of thoughts and denomination amalgamate to form
Hinduism. The very intensity of the Hindu doctrines shaped through many centuries
besides being overwhelming could be challenging to one's cognitive capacity.
It takes a lifetime to be a Hindu, if at all.
The popular stab at Hinduism in recent times
often involve propagation of Yoga centers and "meditation camps"
to entice guileless audiences who would embrace Yogic practices as something
en vogue and make it a contrived lifestyle issue rather than delving into
the ethos of the Yogic penchant for the sublime. No wonder this massive lack
of understanding the ancient Vedic dogmas personify a state of perpetual confusion
to a novice. The misfortune is most acute among Hindu children growing up
in the West.
The Graeco-Roman world caught a glimpse of
indigenous Indian philosophies through the accounts of Alexander the Great
and his associates that included little more than contemporary rhetoric on
myths, black-magic and the esoteric knowledge of the Hindus. Due to lack of
direct communication between India and the West till about the end of the
15th century, western scholars mostly subscribed to eastern legends. Though
some of the journals of the Christian missionaries in the later periods provided
a more realistic narrative of the Hindu way of life, the West mostly stuck
to classical folklore. Hindu writers did little to alter that mindset. In
fact, in the opinion of Nirad C. Chaudhuri, the Hindu writers catered to the
demands of the western world in presenting Hinduism today. He writes in his
book, Hinduism-- a religion to live by : " One ladles out Vedanta to
the intellectually debilitated, another Yoga to the physically degenerate,
and a third tantra to the erotomaniac who has not the courage of his lechery."
Additionally, as Hindus hardly harbour an affinity to perpetuate their religion
by 'conversion', Hindu people see no incentive in promoting their faith to
the world.
At the same time one might think, of what
good is self-resigning spiritual quest of the Hindus in the context of today's
value-infringed materialistic society?
Yet, when we look at the world today, the
Hindu way of life seem to be of utmost necessity to bring about harmonious
coexistence. As stated by eminent scholar Samuel P. Huntington: "In this
new world the most pervasive, important, and dangerous conflicts will not
be between social classes, rich and poor, or other economically defined groups,
but between peoples belonging to different cultural entities." Thus,
the all-encompassing pluralistic approach of the Hindu pundits advocating
tolerance, compassion and righteousness might be the key element in restoring
social equilibrium and world peace. The mantra that resonates with peripheral
chastity and inner bliss may ultimately cease the clash of civilizations that
bruise the geo-political scenario today.
On a more personal note, can one truly achieve
inner contentment by resigning one's roots? The quintessential aspects of
our existence that bind us inherently like the family, society and cultural
heritage play an important role in composing and cultivating our consciousness,
influencing the very fabric of our character. Denouncing one's traditional
framework and adopting extrinsic rational often results in a recurring loss
of self-esteem, immersing one's self in an overwhelming state of confusion.
Hinduism has never demanded exclusivity. It
rather adhered to simple acts of everyday living. It hardly nurtures the idea
that incites quest for a transcendental world after death or salvation through
meeting the Divine. The Vedantic philosophy essentially enforces the pursuit
of power. Inner power: by the Way of Knowledge- the Jnana Marga and by the
Way of Action - Karma Marga. Hindu spirituality is much more than the worldly
notion of ascetic order or mystic charms. I vouched myself to make an ardent
attempt in following the path of my forebearers. A very difficult path of
austerity and philanthropy. But in the end the sojourn at self-realisation
and retrospection might tantamount to a life worth living. I unleash the prying
of my buoyant mind today as tomorrow my growing son would want to know some
answers.
- The writer is Social activist, Communication
& Behavioral Trainer
