BE INDIAN IN EVERY WAY, EVEN IN INTELLECTUAL LEANINGS
Developing this model of countering the West with Western methods of intellectual violence is tantamount to playing into their hands. Indian spirituality must overcome these materialistic offences of the West. We need not fear their malefic modes in attempting to subvert our culture and civilisation. We instead need to practise well our own values and care not a fig for what the West thinks of us.
China is a case in point and its rise as a nation irrespective of what the West has thought of it since its consolidation as a power in 1949 is in sharp contrast to the manner in which we have dealt with the West. Our affinity for England post-Partition and for America since globalisation has left us short of national self-respect and devoid of national identity. We must no more allow this and must inculcate self-pride as Swami Vivekananda had long back exhorted us to do.
Western universities are the breeding ground of intellectual violence instead of being centres of humble learning and light. Materialism is at its highest in these institutions of intelligence gone wrong and these are becoming the models for our universities and colleges and schools as well. The poison bred there is seeking avenues in our national arteries and we have to shun contact with such. The only way is for us to go back to our spiritual treasures for learning and light even as we gain proficiency in science and technology simultaneously. Sociologically we must take recourse to our national cultural heritage and scientifically we must open ourselves to the West. This will maintain the much needed balance in national development.
Western imports for our spiritual well-being even when they cater to the Indian dharma traditions are unwelcome unless they groom themselves thoroughly in the dharma by practising it as sincere aspirants do. Mere lecturing in academic institutions and public fora abroad about the glory of the Sanatan Dharma without being sufficiently groomed in the genuine practice of its principles will do no good to India. It will merely allow these individuals to make capital out of our dharma without in the process doing anything worthwhile for the genuine propagation of the cause.
The same holds for monks who preach out of the impulsion to gain name and fame, a common tendency in monastics who have otherwise renounced the ties of familial life and all of its comforts. These monks ought to seriously introspect and look into their intentions before they make a mockery of the ochre robe that they don. It seems that esteemed spiritual organisations have run out of steam that they so entertain these affiliates of theirs who have become spiritual entertainers of sorts on the rostrums they ride.
A Ramakrishna is the call of the hour, a Vivekananda to hammer home spiritual realisation among the masses. But will they come to lift us out of this mire? Who knows? Till then, my friends, let us gird up our loins and fight it out once more to gain control of our minds before we even seek to deluge the world with the message of the masters. But no more western intellectual violence, please. Keep it out from our blessed motherland. Vande Mataram!
Written by Sugata Bose
Developing this model of countering the West with Western methods of intellectual violence is tantamount to playing into their hands. Indian spirituality must overcome these materialistic offences of the West. We need not fear their malefic modes in attempting to subvert our culture and civilisation. We instead need to practise well our own values and care not a fig for what the West thinks of us.
China is a case in point and its rise as a nation irrespective of what the West has thought of it since its consolidation as a power in 1949 is in sharp contrast to the manner in which we have dealt with the West. Our affinity for England post-Partition and for America since globalisation has left us short of national self-respect and devoid of national identity. We must no more allow this and must inculcate self-pride as Swami Vivekananda had long back exhorted us to do.
Western universities are the breeding ground of intellectual violence instead of being centres of humble learning and light. Materialism is at its highest in these institutions of intelligence gone wrong and these are becoming the models for our universities and colleges and schools as well. The poison bred there is seeking avenues in our national arteries and we have to shun contact with such. The only way is for us to go back to our spiritual treasures for learning and light even as we gain proficiency in science and technology simultaneously. Sociologically we must take recourse to our national cultural heritage and scientifically we must open ourselves to the West. This will maintain the much needed balance in national development.
Western imports for our spiritual well-being even when they cater to the Indian dharma traditions are unwelcome unless they groom themselves thoroughly in the dharma by practising it as sincere aspirants do. Mere lecturing in academic institutions and public fora abroad about the glory of the Sanatan Dharma without being sufficiently groomed in the genuine practice of its principles will do no good to India. It will merely allow these individuals to make capital out of our dharma without in the process doing anything worthwhile for the genuine propagation of the cause.
The same holds for monks who preach out of the impulsion to gain name and fame, a common tendency in monastics who have otherwise renounced the ties of familial life and all of its comforts. These monks ought to seriously introspect and look into their intentions before they make a mockery of the ochre robe that they don. It seems that esteemed spiritual organisations have run out of steam that they so entertain these affiliates of theirs who have become spiritual entertainers of sorts on the rostrums they ride.
A Ramakrishna is the call of the hour, a Vivekananda to hammer home spiritual realisation among the masses. But will they come to lift us out of this mire? Who knows? Till then, my friends, let us gird up our loins and fight it out once more to gain control of our minds before we even seek to deluge the world with the message of the masters. But no more western intellectual violence, please. Keep it out from our blessed motherland. Vande Mataram!
Written by Sugata Bose
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