Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Going the neo-spiritual way
BEFORE OUR readers can protest... we are not trying to generalise or pass judgment. We are not saying all youngsters are this way. We are not compartmentalising neo-spiritualism as black or white. We are only trying to spot the trend.
Look into the newspapers everyday and you will find numerous announcements for classes in meditation — vipassana, transcendental meditation and various other forms for stress-relief. Diverse forms of belief and practise ranging from mantra yoga, surya yoga, sudarshan kriya, tai chi, Falun Gong, are terms we are all getting rather familiar with.
We are not saying today's youngsters don't go to temple, church or the mosque anymore. Or that they are rebels without a cause and pause.
But, like they experiment with clothes, lifestyle, and food, they also experiment with religion and their perception of the spiritual. Some are drawn to new-age expression of spirituality simply because they are bored of the old. Or because they have seen their parents practise traditional forms and not find happiness in it. Almost all of these youngsters were drawn to these movements, influenced by a friend or relative who has done the same. Many don't face parental opposition, surprisingly!
Today's young people are more experiential — they will give it a try, cynically or otherwise, and then decide for themselves. Growing long flowing beards, wearing white, wearing orange or their T-shirts and jeans, wearing rudrakshi malas or sporting designer divine wear — don't dismiss them as gullible youngsters doing this to be "in" and fashionable. They might just score over you in a spiritual debate.
B.K.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
