Mohit Palagiri
Recently, I watched a show by a spiritual guru who is known for conducting Shivaratri event, attracting youth and celebrities, and creating an atmosphere of lunaticness.
Later, I found myself wondering youth in countries like China, Japan, the Nordic nations, and other developed societies seem more focused on rational and progressive thinking. But why are Indian youth, despite India being one of the youngest countries, getting pulled into spiritual cults, losing their rationality, and in many cases, losing their lives as well? This is ultimately affecting the country as a whole.
Why people are being attracted to Spirituality- In first-world countries like the USA and Canada, and in third-world countries like India and Uganda, people face many common problems such as financial issues, anxiety, relationship struggles, mental health issues, and much more.
In this, some people prefer scientific approaches such as going to a doctor, therapist, or advisors/consultants. On the other hand, some choose gurus (babas), astrologers, and occult practitioners. The former usually follows a scientific and gradual approach, whereas the latter often makes false promises of faster results, which can lead to misleading outcomes. A person facing problems is more likely to chase quick solutions rather than a slow and gradual approach. Thus, many Indians, due to a lack of rationality and awareness, may prefer Gurus over therapists.
Present age Gurus
To attract youth and educated, there are two approaches. One is to speak about general issues such as tackling stress, fulfilling desires, and living a happy life. The second is to speak about extraterrestrial topics like the Big Bang, the cosmos, aliens and planets. We must recognize that many guru teachings are not scientifically true. They are often pseudoscientific and they have logical fallacies.
When these two themes become successful, they are often followed by philosophical discussions about the self and God. Later, if someone uses rationality, they can discern the truth and identify mistakes. But if someone loses their rationality, then their mind is virtually in the hands of the guru.
If an individual faces hard times and turns to the guru’s sayings, these gurus can virtually brainwash and reprogram the mind in a way that the guru’s teachings become the only truth.
Cults
Present age Gurus often have organizations, and these organizations usually have branches from major cities to tier-2 towns. They are also active in virtual spaces for better connectivity . These groups gather individuals who are interested or partially interested in the guru and then gradually intensify their devotion.These organizations would not be promoted or made easily accessible, but chosen or invited by the other group members.
Identity trap
Once an individual joins a cult, it usually has several groups, and each group has its own leader. The leader starts intensifying the devotion by lecturing more about the guru, and association with other group members strengthens the interest, since most discussions revolve around the guru and his teachings. In cults, no one can question higher authority, and a questioning mentality is suppressed. Modern-day gurus often share opinions on every topic, including politics, which makes followers echo whatever the guru preaches, while gradually losing their own opinion. If anyone did questioned or acted according to their own will, they would be reprimanded , alienated and if the
would be reprimanded , alienated and if the questioning increases the individual would be expelled from cult.
Those who strictly abide by the guru’s teachings may rise to leadership positions and even gain direct access to the guru. Sadly, some people with strong educational backgrounds and good jobs have fallen into this trap, abandoned their livelihoods, and taken up ascetic lives. Because of these practices, many families have been deeply affected.Even if they do not adopt an ascetic life, some may continue their professions, but their lifestyle and mindset change according to the guru’s teachings.
As days progress, the individual may find themselves fully absorbed in the guru and the organization, gradually leaving the outside world behind.
Negative Effects of Spiritualism
No spiritual guru would encourage refuge in reason. Most want their followers to think like sheep, with a herd mentality, and this becomes a slow poison to the nation as a whole.
Schools and colleges often invite these gurus as chief guests instead of scientists or rational thinkers. Even MNCs invite them to speak about stress management rather than bringing in therapists or professional advisors. This creates the impression in society that these gurus are heroes and the ultimate solution to our ongoing problems.
Later, many schools start endorsing these organizations and even adding them to the curriculum. This creates a mindset of not questioning, which gradually diminishes rationality. Once rationality declines, innovation suffers, and when innovation fails, the economy cannot produce new products. As Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal pointed out, many Indian startups focus more on services rather than real innovation, unlike China. Politically, in the USA, many cults tend to be affiliated with the Republican Party. Similarly, in India, many cults are affiliated with the BJP. Since spiritual gurus often influence a large vote base, this becomes an undemocratic way of shaping and restricting the independent opinions of the common public.
All of this cultism, under the guise of spirituality, places people under the command of the guru. There have been many cases where followers turn into a mini army, committing mass suicides, vandalizing public property, and even defending their guru despite criminal actions. Hence, this form of spirituality is destroying the conscience of many people.
How to come out of this trap- People must start reasoning. If anyone makes statements, then in this age of the internet, individuals must make the effort to verify the truth of the subject using proper citations from verified scholars, and only then come to a conclusion. This reflects the spirit of Thanthai Periyar’s teachings.If someone is suffering from an issue, let us try to talk to them or guide them to the right professionals, so their problem can be addressed properly. We must educate the people around us and do our best to ensure they do not fall into the trap of cult-like spirituality.
Institutionally, the government must adopt rational and humanistic education so that future generations apply rationality in all aspects of life. Educational institutions should not endorse gurus or their organizations and instead rely on scientists and rational thinkers who emphasize scientific temperament. Lastly, the government must make therapy more accessible, and awareness programs should be conducted to educate people about mental health issues.
Conclusion- India is one of the youngest nations in the world, and our greatest resource is our young people. We must protect them by investing in education and health, and by promoting rationalism as well. This will ensure our youth do not fall into the trap of cult-like spirituality and ruin their potential.
Once our youth become more rational and stop falling into such cults, we will see a Developed India much sooner.
