Difference Anxiety in 'Modern' Secular Indians:
Rajiv Malhotra in his books and videos (beingdifferent.com)
talks about the 'Difference Anxiety' present in many Indians minds
about their own Sanskriti. We either disown the so-called
'un-scientific' or try appeasing other people and 'convince' them to see
us differently. Many times an Indian is not aware of the vast range of
his own culture and is unable to put his own side on the table in a
Western way.
Other people from Russia, Japan and China don't seem to suffer from this 'Difference Anxiety'. In fact they're very clear about who they are and have a clear pride in their nation. Why is this?
"What's-the-Big-Deal" about Sanskriti anyway:
What is it about India and its Sanskriti that is so much worth saving not just for Indians but for the whole world? This ancient, rich and wise civilization - known as 'Sone ki Chidiya' (The Golden Bird) has a vast variety of deep and broad range of things, ideas and wisdom to offer.
Covering all aspects of outer and inner life - from Hatha-Yoga(Asanas and Pranayama), Ayurveda(Longevity), NatyaShastra(Dance/Theatre), ArthaShastra(Economics/Purpose of Life) to Jyotisha(Time), Raja-Yoga (Meditation) etc. What is known among Western and Indian followings is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There is a vast depth lying untapped and untouched.
Those who have the interest, the capacity to absorb what an ancient culture of a deep and probing mind have created, tested and evolved over aeons.
Just one sample being - 'Unity in Diversity' which is not just a cliche' but a deep principle in Indian belief and thought. He suggests that Indian culture from its very roots has taken differences in it's stride - in fact incorporating the theory of Bandhuta - bonds of commonality across apparent diversity which holds the Indian idea of the Bramhanda. This comfort with apparent differences and the underlying unity of things is one of the best things the World needs at a time when homogeneity and standardization have become the benchmark of Western Universalism.
Many people admire the Western way as best due to its material comforts. But these can only go so far in satisfying Man's eternal quest for peace and happiness. Despite having ever-more material comforts our Worlds today is torn by strife at greater than ever magnitudes.
He suggests that instead of being either apologetic, apoplectic or disowning about our culture we need to understand why and how this difference anxiety came about. Once a prosperous and enviable culture - financially, spiritually - why and how has India come to this present state of neglect?
What has caused the very people who followed the customs and ways of 'Sanskriti' for aeons to suddenly neglect it. He explores the reasons for this sudden apathy and discusses what can be done to reverse this negative trend.
Other people from Russia, Japan and China don't seem to suffer from this 'Difference Anxiety'. In fact they're very clear about who they are and have a clear pride in their nation. Why is this?
"What's-the-Big-Deal" about Sanskriti anyway:
What is it about India and its Sanskriti that is so much worth saving not just for Indians but for the whole world? This ancient, rich and wise civilization - known as 'Sone ki Chidiya' (The Golden Bird) has a vast variety of deep and broad range of things, ideas and wisdom to offer.
Covering all aspects of outer and inner life - from Hatha-Yoga(Asanas and Pranayama), Ayurveda(Longevity), NatyaShastra(Dance/Theatre), ArthaShastra(Economics/Purpose of Life) to Jyotisha(Time), Raja-Yoga (Meditation) etc. What is known among Western and Indian followings is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There is a vast depth lying untapped and untouched.
Those who have the interest, the capacity to absorb what an ancient culture of a deep and probing mind have created, tested and evolved over aeons.
Just one sample being - 'Unity in Diversity' which is not just a cliche' but a deep principle in Indian belief and thought. He suggests that Indian culture from its very roots has taken differences in it's stride - in fact incorporating the theory of Bandhuta - bonds of commonality across apparent diversity which holds the Indian idea of the Bramhanda. This comfort with apparent differences and the underlying unity of things is one of the best things the World needs at a time when homogeneity and standardization have become the benchmark of Western Universalism.
Many people admire the Western way as best due to its material comforts. But these can only go so far in satisfying Man's eternal quest for peace and happiness. Despite having ever-more material comforts our Worlds today is torn by strife at greater than ever magnitudes.
He suggests that instead of being either apologetic, apoplectic or disowning about our culture we need to understand why and how this difference anxiety came about. Once a prosperous and enviable culture - financially, spiritually - why and how has India come to this present state of neglect?
What has caused the very people who followed the customs and ways of 'Sanskriti' for aeons to suddenly neglect it. He explores the reasons for this sudden apathy and discusses what can be done to reverse this negative trend.
World view of a culture:
The West
expends a lot of Energy and Resources by maintaining various deptarments
with "experts" on different cultures. These experts spend massive
amounts of time reading, writing and exploring the other culture.
Comparing, contrasting and mostly denigrating the other culture always
through their own western viewpoint. So when an ordinary Indian is
confronted with accusations or rhetoric against his culture from such
sources he's unable to answer and begins doubting his own culture. Many
turn hostile to Indian Sanskriti and turn into xeroxed-Westerners or
turn apologetic at best. Rajiv Malhotra counters these type of
accusations or rhetoric.
However as he also points out what the US, Europe, Russia, (China, Japan too) has done is to develop a 'Grand Narrative' about themselves, the world around them and also a lower (many times demeaning) place for other cultures/countries. This is Western Universalism.
Pride in one's Nation and Culture:
However as he also points out what the US, Europe, Russia, (China, Japan too) has done is to develop a 'Grand Narrative' about themselves, the world around them and also a lower (many times demeaning) place for other cultures/countries. This is Western Universalism.
Pride in one's Nation and Culture:
What India needs is a 'Indian View of the world' and to maintain
and propagate it in our hearts and minds. Self-image is very critical
for any being. To become truly independent of the British/Western
colonialism, we need to re-connect with our own roots. Re-energize and
develop our own standards and our own world view based on our own
traditions. There is nothing 'fundamentalist' about being proud of our
own Sanskriti.
How others view us (Poorva Paksha):
Also
unlike other cultures 'the Other' is an inbuilt construct in our
traditions. Traditionally we don't (need to) demean others to be better.
We're comfortable with diversity from birth itself. So our world view
should also include how others view themselves and us - Poorva Paksha.
Western U-Turners:
This cultural digestion is done by western 'admirers' of other cultures. They start out as research scholars and disciples of various streams of Indian Knowledge. Curiosity => Admiration => Infatuation => "Disillusionment" => Reformulation.
Westerners come to our land, learn with many times best intentions. As they progress, they sense that to go further would mean to leave their Western identity behind and take on a different identity. A kind of sub-conscious 'cultural espionage' done by 'intellectual moles' who think, speak and act like allies - until the critical moment leading to a turn-coat policy.
This cultural digestion is done by western 'admirers' of other cultures. They start out as research scholars and disciples of various streams of Indian Knowledge. Curiosity => Admiration => Infatuation => "Disillusionment" => Reformulation.
Westerners come to our land, learn with many times best intentions. As they progress, they sense that to go further would mean to leave their Western identity behind and take on a different identity. A kind of sub-conscious 'cultural espionage' done by 'intellectual moles' who think, speak and act like allies - until the critical moment leading to a turn-coat policy.
Misappropriation:
Yet they also sense the 'value' of what they've learnt. To
associate with 'the heathen' is taboo. So to present 'valuable stuff' to
their western audiences they need to re-assemble things with a 'Made in
US' sign. So they retreat back to the west to regurgitate, edit,
re-formulate and re-package what they learnt here.
Removing all traces of Indian origin and pass off (attribution
at-best is as version 2.0 of) an "improved and better system" of
HathaYoga, Ayurveda, RajaYoga etc. With all the so-called
"un-scientific", "useless parts" removed. Any links to Indian past are
shrugged off publicly as just a 'phase' or flatly denied even.
Misuse:
Learning Indian
culture just to be able to subvert it while pushing other ideologies is a
constant danger in this world of foreign and indegenous political, ideological and religious conversions.
Cultural Digestion:
The alternative is pointed out by Rajiv Malhotra in his story of a Tiger
digesting a Deer. The DNA of the deer are broken down and re-assembled
as the cells and DNA of the Tiger.
The West is slowly and surely taking what it wants from our culture and traditions and leaving out the things it doesn't want or can't digest - like Sanskrit and Sookshma aspects of Yoga.
The West is slowly and surely taking what it wants from our culture and traditions and leaving out the things it doesn't want or can't digest - like Sanskrit and Sookshma aspects of Yoga.
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