FLOODED BY MONEY

India is being swamped with money. Indians everywhere are being swamped by money. There is a flood, and many are enjoying the drink. Unlike other floods, this seems to be a good one, promising to make us happy and fulfilled. Is it all good? What does this do to the soul? Are we sinking or swimming? We discuss these issues in this new feature.

Just as a glass of water quenches the thirst, and a flood of water can drown unless we know how to swim, at the very least we need to be alert. How are we earning this money? What are we doing with it? Are we building a dam to control the flood, or to fatten our families? In fact, what is money? The modern epidemic of obesity in Britain is in my view not unrelated to the accumulation of wealth. Think why the word ‘greed’ is applied to profit and food – there must be a relationship.

It is said in both Hindu and Jain scriptures, that Laxmi is a whimsical goddess, restless and fluttering and needs to be handled with great care. Possessiveness of any kind is discouraged, because it leads to attachment. In fact, it is said that when we possess, we become possessed. We lose ourselves, and far from being in control of money, we become controlled by money. Our freedom goes. Our smiles also fade away. We begin to mistrust everyone and everything. Like Laxmi, we become restless. Charity becomes furthest from our minds when we are flooded by money. We are drowning, but do not realise it.

PLANET INDIA

Mira Kamdar's new book, Planet India looks excellent and very timely. It has been launched in India and America and will be launched in UK in summer 2007. For details about the book, visit www.mirakamdar.com

I will review it here once I get a copy.

HOME AND AWAY

From my new home in Britain, I inadvertently called a call centre in Bangalore. The recipient at the other end recognised my culture from my name and voluntarily gave me a discount. Then we got talking, and I explained what I do to promote the culture here and how I go about it. He reacted - I am glad I gave the discount! He agreed that India needs to keep its identity and not get swept away by the tide of materialism. Money is flooding and so is its ancient culture getting flooded by the values of western materialism. I explained that progress should not be measured by money alone, but by quality of life, health, society, etc. He found my thoughts surprising, but refreshing. When we go away from home, we can also go back home. Unless we get lost along the way.

SPEED AND PATIENCE

These words seem like contradictions. We want India to grow fast and create an equal distribution of wealth and opportunity and remove inequalities. That is a most desirable thing. However, we also want progress to be qualitative. We want families to stay together, cultures to grow and flourish, communities to stay connected and responsible. Unfortunately, seen from a modern materialist viewpoint, these other facts are disguised, bypassed or even ignored. As Indians, we need to bear them in mind, and if necessary, block the speed for there to be sustained growth. It may be difficult in some circumstances to put the brakes on, but we should be on guard.

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.