INDIA NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED

It is an ancient culture so different from the Western culture, inviting, colourful and artistic, but also a mystery for many. Not least are people of Indian origin, many of whom do not understand their own culture. It is a vast culture, but there are simple and effective ways of explaining it using modern methods of communication. However, the mediator needs to know the culture as well as the audience, and there are very few people today who can do that. In Universities, India, if it is taught at all, is confined to departments of religion. In schools, there is rarely any engagement with the culture and heritage of India in a substantive way. As the West reaches for the East, there is an opportunity for the East to connect and perhaps transform the West, especially through its vast heritage and experience of non-violence (ahimsa).

FESTIVALS

Festivals play a key part in social life in India. This is a legacy of ancient India and even in a bustling modern city like Mumbai or Bangalore, we will still see festivals being celbrated by thousands. I am preparing for the Navratri festival which is a Gujarati Hindu festival celebrated over nine days and nights. Its highlight is evening collective dancing by young and old alike around a circle with live music and some shrine of Gods at the centre. It is very popular because it is democratic, participative and creative and artistic. People dress up for the occasion, they dance, listen and celebrate and also conduct a most beautiful arti (wick-light singing and prayer ritual) thanking God and requesting God for continued strength in life. I live in a small town in England but even here, Hindus come together from all over to celebrate, renew and nourish themselves. And all are welcome to it, including non-Hindus. Indians have taken India with them wherever they have travelled. And the Festivals continue to nourish them and help them negotiate the modern world in a peaceful and respectful way, without losing their identity.

THREATS TO WISDOM

Just because we are living in the 'modern' world does not mean that we have the best awareness of all ancient and modern science and wisdom. Nor does it mean that the knowledge and ideas that are being marketed today are the best ones. We are living in a highly commercial and materialistic world which either actively or subtly promotes the sciences which lead us towards more consumption. A classic example is India where Sri Ramdev is promoting an ancient science of living to the citizens of the country where it was born. Unfortunately, the commercial interests like the medical profession, the pharmaceutical and food companies and the soda manufacturers are angry, because it is affecting their income. So there is an attempt to hide the truth. Practicing Yoga does not require any equipment nor does it require any large space or gymnasium. And Sri Ramdev is now even providing the teaching for free through the Aastha channel. Now the West is scared. The food and health industry are scared. Even the so called medical 'profession' does not want the truth to come out - that health and vitality are simple, natural and available to all. Fortunately, ordinary people are learning and practicing yoga on a large scale. This can lead to a new economy away from greed and consumption to health and vitality. Let the doctors become yogis. And let Coke become a supplier of fresh fruit juice.