The World Is Going Full Hindu But Indians Are Still Saying Sorry?

Step into a wellness studio in Los Angeles, a retreat in Bali, or a podcast in London. Hinduism is everywhere, from yoga to meditation, including the concepts of karma and chakras.

It seems the world is undergoing a love affair with Hindu traditions. Strangely though, in India, many Indians are apologetic for their culture.

Why is that? Let’s investigate this further.


A distinct global movement toward Eastern spirituality has emerged over the last ten years. People are departing from rigid orthodoxy in favor of Hinduism's centuries-old practices that provide self-improvement, healing, and mindfulness.

Take the following into account:

• The global yoga market is now worth billions of dollars.
• Western listeners use Spotify to stream mantras and vedic chants to help them concentrate or fall asleep.
• Gurus and Hindu teachings are no longer the domain of Robert and Julia. Even their religiously-inclined co-patriots, Madonna and Steve Jobs, subscribe to Hindu teachings.
• Across North America and Europe, Ayurveda is marketed as a premium wellness philosophy.
• English has incorporated several new terms. Ordinarily, we use "karma," "guru," and "nirvana."

Still, how often do we hear these practices and terms labeled as "Hindu"?

On the contrary, there is one segment of Indian society the urban elite which still leans towards disassociating themselves with Hindu markers. A considerable number resist wearing tilaks, reciting mantras in public, or even broaching the subject of the Gita or the Upanishads because they do not want to be seen as “too traditional,” “regressive,” or “communal.”

For a long time, the combination of colonial narratives, along with an identity crisis in the wake of independence, has led people to view their culture with a Western gaze as something to be embarrassed of, instead of something to be embraced.

This disconnection with the rest of the world has led to the emergence of a strange cultural paradox:

While the world seems to be moving towards Hinduism, Indians are in a retreat from it.

Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma, to be precise, never was and never will be a religion in the strict Western sense. It's more of a lifestyle, adaptive and changing. Its fundamental principles speak directly to today's world:

Inclusivity: "Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti" – Truth is one, paths are many.

Mindfulness: By meditation, dhyana, and pranayama.

Sustainability: Care for nature, animals, and all life.

Self-discovery: The precept of finding the divine within.

Scientific curiosity: Ancient writings investigated time, mind, and cosmos long before contemporary science.

These concepts bring comfort and understanding to an era beset with stress, strife, and burnout.

There are several reasons why Indians feel uneasy in wholeheartedly accepting or propagating their heritage:

1. Colonial Conditioning

British colonial rule spread seeds of inferiority. Indian systems of knowledge were ridiculed as primitive, while Western education was romanticized.

2. Secularism Confusion

Independent India attempted to remain neutral by frequently downplaying native identity, so as not to be seen as being partial towards one religion.

3. Fear of Being "Right-Wing"

Speaking about Hinduism, even at a philosophical level, is inappropriately equated with political or extremist ideologies by many, particularly in liberal discussions.

4. Media Bias

Hindu practices are usually stereotyped by the Western and Indian media as exotic, archaic, and even threatening except when they're framed in Western sensibilities.

5. Cultural Disconnect

Urban youth are more aware of pop culture than the Vedas. Few have read the Gita or set foot in a temple except at festival times.

when a Hollywood star chants Om or sports a bindi, it's "spiritual" or "fashion-forward." But when an Indian does the same, he's "orthodox" or "communal.

This is not merely double standards it's cultural gaslighting.

There is nothing wrong with the world embracing Hindu traditions. But Indians disowning them due to fear, shame, or social pressure is the issue.

The world doesn't see Hinduism as a threat. It sees it as wisdom. Indians must reframe the manner in which they talk about and enact their traditions not haughtily or combatively, but with grace and assurance.

Pride of Hindu roots does not mean a rejection of modernity. One can be progressive and still proud of one's roots.

Whether it's the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on the afterlife, or Ayurveda's brilliant science, or simply chanting Om in order to get centered these are offerings. And it's time the Indians stopped keeping them under wraps.

The growth of Hindu culture globally is undeniable. But if Indians continue to treat their own culture as baggage rather than brilliance, we risk being spectators at a global celebration of our own heritage.

You don't have to become a preacher or move to the Himalayas. Just cease aping for your culture.

Start understanding it. Start living it. Start owning it.

Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is being proud of Hindu roots a political statement?
   
   No, cultural pride is not political unless made so.
2. How can Indians reconnect with their roots?
   
   Start by reading ancient texts, learning Sanskrit basics, and practicing daily mindfulness.