Hindu Voice UK, August 2008

Hindus living in Britain are living under the influence of two great cultures or civilizations: the Western and Hindu. The two needn’t stand in conflict with one another.

Western culture is primarily a secular and commercial culture. Its main benefit is its practical efficiency, scientific knowledge and its emphasis on human rights. Its main limitation is its attachment to materialism and sensation, which dull the deeper sensitivities of the mind, closing individuals away from what is truly valuable in life. It should be noted that problems like depression and unhappiness are very prevalent in modern Western society. While the scientific and humanitarian side of western culture can be helpful its lack of spiritual values must be compensated for.

Western culture, though it has religion, is not a religious culture. On one hand, this is good. It largely frees Western society from religious dogma, intolerance and bigotry that makes life difficult in countries dominated by a religious belief. On the other hand it leaves Western culture in a spiritual vacuum, without any spiritual roots, which may deprive people of any deep connection with life or God, or any enduring sense of peace and happiness.

Hindu culture has a very different emphasis to Western culture, but does not stand in opposition to it. It is based upon spiritual and yogic values and practices. Its festivals and literature celebrate the unseen divinity behind the material world. Yet Hinduism too is not a religious culture in the sense of insistence upon an exclusive belief. It has a secular, universal and open minded approach. Yet it is not a materialistic culture. Hindus do not have to clash or reject with what is beneficial is Western culture but can afford it the spiritual dimension that it needs. Hindus should take what is useful from Western culture but try to give it turn what thy have to offer, which is a deeper approach to the spiritual life.

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