#638
I flipped through The Week this week—March 2025—and the cover stopped me cold: spirituality’s hot among young and middle-aged Indians. Not just the old-school, incense-wafting kind, but something new, buzzing, alive. It got me wondering: what’s fueling this? Why are folks my kids’ age—and even people like me—chasing inner peace in a world of instant deliveries and endless scrolling? Here’s my take, from the sidelines.
When the Joint Family Faded:- Back in the '70s and '80s, life had a vibe. Joint families were everywhere—grandparents dropping wisdom, aunts stirring pickle, cousins scrapping in the yard. If I was off my game, someone had my back over chai, no charge. By the late '90s, though, that faded. Now it’s you, maybe a spouse, a kid, and a smart TV. Trust and empathy? They’re slipping—family, friends, society all feel distant. We’re “connected” 24/7, but lonelier than ever. Spirituality’s like a stand-in now, filling that gap where the old support net used to be.
The Cash Can’t Fill the Void:- We’ve got money these days—more than my generation ever imagined. Cars, getaways, Swiggy at our fingertips. But there’s this hollow spot. Back then, we didn’t have much, so we didn’t expect much—destiny called the shots, and we rolled with it. Failure wasn’t an ego-killer; it was just life. Now? Everyone’s a star online, and when the shine fades, it cuts deep. Spirituality’s the balm for some—a way to dodge that “I’ve got it all, so why am I empty?” funk.
Spirituality, the New Hobby:- It’s gone slick, too. In the '80s, a temple trip or quiet prayer was raw—no price tag, just peace. Now? It’s a business. Yoga retreats for a fat fee, gurus on YouTube, malas on Flipkart. Apps and cash have made it a buffet—grab what you want, skip the rest. Savings? Nah, spend it—tomorrow’s not promised. It’s more hobby than soul-food now, less about calm and more about the Instagram story. I miss that uncommercialized stillness from my younger days.
Ego vs. Fate: A Generational Flip:- My generation didn’t overthink fate. Stuff happened, we dealt—no big ego trip. A bad day wasn’t “I’m a loser”; it was “That’s how it goes.” Today, though, it’s all about standing out—hustle hard, win big. When that flops, it’s personal. Spirituality might be the off-ramp—a nod back to letting go, to trusting something bigger than your LinkedIn bio.
Where I Stand
Full disclosure: I’m not big on religion or spirituality myself. Yesterday, I sat by a holy fire for two hours for my mother’s fourth annual ritual—a gratitude thing, not a zealot move. I’d have done it anyway, duty or not. To me, this religious/ spiritual stuff’s like pickle with your meal: a little goes a long way, and only when you feel like it. It’s personal, no need to flaunt it. I’m not agnostic or atheist— (Coming from the land of rational thinkers, you can not escape it I guess)I believe in a superpower steering us—but I’m not diving headfirst into the deep end either. “God helps those who help themselves” is more my speed. So, this wave? I see it, but I’m not riding it. I always cherish the 6 hours, I spent at our family temple at Karisuznthamangalam, once a year the best I could ever get from spiritual exposure than anything else!.
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