Non-Practicing Hindus

Article 4 of 5 - Unlacing the Cultural Labels Series

When Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom a few months ago, I read an article in a major national daily. “He is a practising Hindu,” said the first phrase. The description baffled me. My instant thought was, “Is there anyone who can be described as a non-practicing Hindu?” I didn’t have to look far. I found the answer pointed in my direction.

Well, I had been devout while growing up. Like everybody around, I absorbed the religious fervor as a child. I ended up downloading my environment. Our cultural upbringing ensures that the collective beliefs, attitudes, notions, inclinations, etc. are synchronized. Thus, unknowingly, we all project the same programmed image. I was not an exception to it.

However, as I grew older and in my endeavor to deepen the understanding, I started to inquire more. To my dismay, I was dissuaded. Gradually, I started to drift away from my cultural surroundings. Religion, I realized was built on faith and had no room for questions. And, I was a seeker and an explorer. Thus, in the pursuit of finding myself and God, I graduated from the institution called religion.

Can one be both a believer as well as a seeker? Shashi Tharoor’s book ‘Why I am a Hindu?’ described a sect in Hindu religion called “Charvaka’s” who didn’t believe in the existence of God, but were still Hindus. Was it even possible? Can a religion accommodate a non-believer faction within itself?

For the last 10 years, I have not practised the religion in its conventional form. I am detached. Having said that, I can’t relate to any other religion apart from Hinduism. It is and shall always remain my core. Thus, I struggle, trying to fit anywhere in the middle. At times, there is no middle. One is asked to choose a side. And that’s when I become NONES (none of the above).

I do believe in a greater power. I define it as nature or the universe; the power of breath, and emotions; the power I feel in my voice or the words that are alive within me; the power of love, forgiveness, gratitude, peace, and freedom. Even so I am unable to confine that power to a tangible name or form. I am not able to associate myself with the age old hymns, songs, chants, rituals, or traditions. I appreciate them as much as I enjoy the melody of any song. I love the music in them. Isn’t every piece of music divine in itself?

When I evaluate my beliefs and ideologies, which have changed drastically over the years, I find my thoughts closer to Gandhi than anyone else. Gandhi had numerous friends from across the globe. More than once, he was persuaded to adopt Christianity. According to his Christian friends, his idea of peace, compassion, and non-violence was similar to the message of Jesus. He always refused, despite challenging many Hindu customs. “Hindu I am, and Hindu I shall always be.”

I often wondered whether God created man or man created God. What is the purpose of religion? Today, my understanding is that as civilization evolved, we required a more structured way of life. Religion provided the solution. It was able to evoke love and fear among the masses in proportionate quantities, so that at least the majority followed the way of life in a balanced way. Religion facilitated the effective organization and management of a large human population. Thus, the purpose had been to discipline the masses.

Despite being a non-follower, I respect every religion in the world. I am no one to question the ancient system with hidden Toltec wisdom. I am sure, religion as well as God were created in accordance with the requirements of the time. They have done a tremendous job in the human history.

Having said that, I have chosen my path. To seek and explore God in my own ways. I am free to discover “who I am’.  I believe that religion can be a great way to begin your life. But I am doubtful if it’s the only path to be pursued in the lifetime.

From dwindling between being a staunch believer to different forms of non-believer for over a decade now. I have reached a conclusion. I do not know anything, but in the process of self-exploration, I have discovered myself more. I am at peace; more in love with life, and with myself and everyone around than I could ever be. I view the world not through the narrow lens of a Hindu, but without any lens. And I have found an even more beautiful, brighter, and colorful world.

While seeking God, religion, its meaning and my own existence I learned the science behind chanting, and rituals. When we perform rituals, it’s a process just like writing is for a writer, an exercise. In a similar manner, the science of chanting also involves the training of mind. The purpose remains the same, to awaken the deepest emotions of dedication, surrender, and love from within us. They are all methods to raise our vibrations.

I am aware that by saying ‘I love you’ to anybody, from a plant to an animal to another human with utmost sincerity and intent, I evoke the same feelings within me and am able to experience divinity. Thus, I have met God in the most unusual of ways.

Yes, I am a Hindu, and a non-practicing one. As magnanimous a religion as Hinduism can only assimilate me. Thus, Hindu I shall always be.

“When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.” – Abraham Lincoln

About the Author: Dr. Shruti Shankar Gaur describes herself as a nonplussed mother, a Luna to her Alpha, a passionate entrepreneur, a novice thinker, a hard-core dreamer, a scruffy poet, a true seeker, and an unusual sinner. She bares her soul in her blog: Pain & Bliss

Contact the author: https://linktr.ee/dr.shrutishankargaur