Hey Kunjs.
You know I wanted to start a thread titled Neo Spiritualism..in fact i was discussing it with Amala should I or should I not.
Then I thought there are enough brain wrecking energy zapping threads in forum that actually go now where and just cant cope too much so I dropped the idea.
BTW when I was thinking of Neo Spiritualism is was more to get an Uniform Hindu Identity as to standardize Hindu basic rites and rituals and combine variuos Indian subcultures that are practical to create a Pan Indian Hindu way of thinking but yet again..its too brain wrecking to do all that now..so I dropped the idea of that thread.
But I can safely say I am a Neo Spiritualist in the making.
Dear renu,
I have always said, in very many threads, that you and happy hindu are the future of Hinduism – casteless, erudite, critical and above all inclusive.
Which is why, I was very surprised, that you did not see eye to eye with happy hindu, for to me, you both are two facets of neo Hinduism or neo spiritualism or whatever name you want to call it.
Personally, I find the ritual based brahminism, as practised by overwhelming tambrams, as bankrupt empty rituals, without meaning understood, half baked and at the most a socio economic set of actions, intent to appease an uneasy guilty mind.
I remember the restlessness my dad used to experience, if the vathiar was late by even 5 minutes every amavaasai every month, all for a 15 minute ritual, which in retrospect no one really understood what for, but followed with rigour all the same. From what I have seen, and it is only what my view, the whole process of related rituals, including sumangali prarthanai, thevasam, sandhyavandhanam or practise of theetu, are mental concepts handed down generation to generation, whose rigidity and observance, increasingly watered down to suit the convenience of that generation. Till now what we have is an empty shell.
As with anything else, the empty vessels are the ones that make the most noise. Those who are erudite, well versed, orthodox, are wise enough to maintain not only their silence, but their distance from the ordinary run of the mill tambrams with their run of the mill practices. To me it would be ok, if these folks just stick with their practices, and acknowledge not only their ignorance of the significance of what they are doing and also, it is done for the peace of mind and nothing more.
I will agree only on that point – peace of mind. For peace of mind, I say my ode to hanuman, not for expecting anything in return. Peace of mind is a sense of comfort, and for each of us, we have our own personal way in pursuit of it.
Back to current day discussions, whether it be the existence of God or doubt about God or looking critically at how Brahmins usurped the commentaries of the Vedas to their own narrow interests. Personally, I find nothing wrong in the variety of thoughts. True Hinduism I think, encourages the variety, for the critical gift that you have, is different from that of happy hindu, though both of you are believers.
Sangom, nara or Yamaka, may doubt or not believe. But that is a deliberate decision they came on their own, and not due to any hand me down, rituals, baptism or indoctrination. Such folks, I think, are the flowers of our society, for they not only should wake us up, to our own practises, but should serve as catalyst, for us believers to introspect our own practices, faith, and above all our sincerety.
Throwing stones at them, and indulging them in verbal abuse, is the most obscene way, to treat those who have followed our own path in whatever variation it may be in the past, and who have now digressed.
These are the products of the failure of theism to satisfy. That fact alone should alert to us our faults and shortcomings. Let us not cover these with anger, arrogance and above all group lynching. It does not show us believers in good light. We become yet another intolerant and indiscriminate mob. I am sure we can present a better front and case than that.
So, dear renu, your neo spiritualism, along with your devotion to sai, is as much, I think, a pie in the face, of the die hard traditionalists. Based on the past, they might not turn against you now, but you should be prepared. That is my take on the whole issue of reform of our faith, and bringing it to sync with today’s world. This type of reform has happened several times in the past, and so we wont be the first to initiate it.
also renu, i sense that you yourself are a challenge to their concept of rigid brahministic varna, which more than one reader has indirectly confronted you with. believe me, the stain of varna and separation has been ingrained, in most of us tambrams since birth, and it takes more than an average effort and guts to walk away from it. ofcourse, for me, distance from india and especially tamil nadu, helps.
Personally, I have given up most rituals. I go to the temple, say an archanai in the name of God, enjoy the ambience and the smoky smell, which is the same whether the temple be located in mylapore or Toronto. I light the lamp daily. I say my prayer to hanuman, and chants to siva. That is my Hinduism, and I am content with it. Casteless. Simple. Something for my children to follow. If they wish.
Thank you.
