Can we embrace the modern, progressive ideas of the West, while preserving the core Indian values of spiritualism and inner contentment?
Amidst all the chaos and conflicting influences of globalisation and economic development, the increased free flow of information across boundaries has increased our exposure to many diverse cultures across the world. While the West is getting attracted to Eastern ideas of spirituality, yoga and inner contentment, the East is fascinated by the economic achievements of the Western world. This throws up the possibility of an interesting amalgamation of different cultures, with each learning and acquiring the good aspects of the other.
Swami Vivekananda, in his book East and West has talked about integration of spiritualism and materialism. “The ideal society would be the one in which would be synthesised the Indian idea of spiritual integrity and the western idea of social progress,” he says. However, such a mature approach to social and cultural integration may not be easy to achieve in reality.
The influence of Western modernism and progressive thinking has certainly helped in easing some of our conservative social norms and rigidities. But, at the same time, it has also heightened the focus on materialistic pursuits, making people increasingly individualistic and self-focused. Placing ‘self’ over others or giving more importance to personal gratification instead of societal benefits. This has led to a kind of social unrest and discontentment in society. The glamour and glitter of materialistic success seems to be overshadowing the core Indian values of social goodness, deep thinking, spirituality and meditativeness.
Sri Aurobindo, in his writings on ‘Indian Culture and External Influence’ has talked about acceptance and assimilation of modern ideas and knowledge that is compatible with Indian spirit and ideals. He has warned against blind imitation and senseless adoption of ideas that are against India’s social and cultural ethos. If society has to rise to a higher level of consciousness, India’s spiritual ideals and unique identity must be preserved. A spiritualised society can only bring about true harmony and happiness, he says.
“Confronted with the huge rush of modern life and thought, invaded by another dominant civilisation almost her opposite or inspired at least with a very different spirit to her own, India can only survive by confronting this raw, new, aggressive, powerful world with fresh diviner creations of her own spirit, cast in the mould of her own spiritual ideals,” says Sri Aurobindo.
He emphasises the need to preserve this ‘spirit’ of Indian culture. In his essay on ‘Indian Culture and External Influence,’ he talks about enriching our culture by accepting positive western influences, without losing our originality. He says:
“When I speak of acceptance and assimilation, I am thinking of certain influences, ideas, energies (from Europe) …which can awaken and enrich our own cultural activities and cultural being if we succeed in dealing with them with a victorious power and originality… That was in fact what our own ancestors did, never losing their originality, never effacing their uniqueness… (otherwise) we shall get too its social discords and moral plagues and cruel problems, and I do not see how we shall avoid becoming the slaves of the economic aim in life and losing the spiritual principle of our culture.”
New innovations and learning can be judiciously deployed to enhance our existing philosophical, artistic, cultural and social environment. But the core spirit and vitality of Indian culture should not be eclipsed by the pursuit of economic goals.