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The great Indian guru bazaar

14/12/2012

13 Comments

 
What's pushing us into the arms (or dropping us at the feet) of gurus and life coaches?
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Illustration by Naveen Kumar
Tell me if this gives a sense of déjà vu. Still groggy from last night’s hangover and pulling muck strings out of the eyes, you reach for the television remote when you are suddenly hit on the head (colloquially speaking) by a mind boggling bunch of gurus. Channel surf and you are alarmed by the horrifying  variety in their shapes, sizes, sexes, fancy dresses, accents and tones -  coaxing, cajoling, even frightening you towards the path of  spiritual redemption.

I've no idea how they make you feel but they do make me yearn for the good old days when one had to suffer just one (though undeniably ugly) Dhirendra Brahmachari doing yogasanas on the TV set (that too only on Sundays).  So what has brought on this sudden spurting supply of spiritual leaders? I guess there's only one answer:  demand. Right from the times of Arjun who found his Parthasarthy, or charioteer, in Krishna – the life coach, we have always had gurus. Only now, they are around us in awesome numbers and manifestations. The guru no longer comes wrapped in loin cloth. He/she sports a cool hairstyle, designer clothes and more often than not, a Blackberry or an Iphone.

“Gurus and saints have always been around us and we always went to them for support and guidance,” agrees social anthropologist Nimmi Rangaswamy, researcher at Microsoft India Research Labs, Bangalore. What's new, she says, is their sheer commercialization and the magnitude at which it is happening.  So what’s fueling this desperate demand? Is it the breakdown of the joint family system that gave us our path showers in parents and grandparents, cousins and siblings? Or is it the growing emptiness we are left with when we jet set across the globe in new age lifestyles that spare no time for healthy communication with friends and family? Or, something else?

According to Boston-based technocrat Prithviraj Banerjee, the reason why more and more people are searching for gurus is because as the basic needs of society get fulfilled, people move higher in Maslow's pyramid (towards self actualization) and start craving spiritual bliss. “With rising incomes we have more people in that layer and hence an increased awareness of the unfulfilled desire for our true selves,” he says. Nimmi feels there is a need to conform to a global lifestyle.  “We have suddenly been catapulted into a lifestyle where we are jet setting across the world and drawing salaries we couldn’t have imagined 15 years back. This lifestyle has brought on its own needs. Personal trainers, grooming, a world class wardrobe have becomes imperative for those who want to fit in (or aspire to fit in) this new global milieu like VPs and GMs, film stars and models. Life coaches and therapists are part of the same lifestyle,” she says.

Life coach Malti Bhojwani feels people seek guidance because they have isolated themselves emotionally. So have modern lifestyles given us awesome salaries, personal trainers, swanky cars and big houses but also extracted a price for it in terms of deeper human interaction? “Spouses get so busy in modern lifestyles that couples often feel alone in their thoughts. They lack the intimacy that makes supportive interactions possible. We feel no one would understand deeply, care enough or have the time to really listen.” This "silence", according to Malti, has led to a growing need for personal development professionals.

Does rocketing ambition make us build walls around ourselves? Are we scared of appearing weak and would rather not discuss problems and unhappinesses even with friends or family? Malti says "yes" to both and adds that working with a coach is different from chatting with a partner, a parent or a friend, as it is a professional, confidential and unbiased relationship. “Our friends and family often have fixed ideas about who we are and what our past capabilities were which can sometimes hold us back from pursuing our new dreams and desires,” she explains.

In the new world, there is a growing tribe of people who openly call themselves atheists or agnostics. Prithviraj feels organized religions often distort the words of great gurus like Buddha and Jesus and this has led to people getting delinked from the true meaning of life. Dr Shyam Bhat, psychiatrist and integrative medicine specialist, agrees.  “People who are disenchanted with religion are turning to psychology and there has always been an overlap between spirituality and psychology,” he says.  

Shyam also points out that till some time back roles in society were very strictly defined – you were supposed to finish college, get a job, get married, buy a house, have children and then retire. All needs were categorized and taken care of, leaving you free to seek spiritual meaning in the end. Over the past decade there has been complete freedom and a sense of “normlessness”. You can be in college and buy your first house, you can live together without being married, and you may or may not have children. “There are no rules. This is good because it will eventually lead us to form our own rules but it is also a time of confusion and self doubt when some of us might need to seek direction,” he feels.

If we wish to be dramatic we can say that the winds of change are blowing. Girls who wear saris and cover their heads at pujas are equally comfortable changing into shorts and sipping vodka at the pub. The functions of family have changed, and often parents really don’t know how to guide their children because they have never faced such situations before. This might have brought on a need for professional help and there’s really no harm in seeking it – whether you need a life coach to show you the way to what you want or a trained psychiatrist to handle darker negative emotions.

If you ask me (or, even if you don't) I’d say, there are two people you need in your life. One: the path shower or the Krishna. The other: the shaman – the one who takes away your pain. These are the two who make life easier and more meaningful. If you have found both in friends and family, or even inside you, feel blessed. There is really nobody else you need. However, if you are seeking a guru by all means go for it. But pick intelligently. It’s a big market out there and right next to a truly enlightened person you risk running into a fraud.

This was the cover story for the Deccan Herald Saturday magazine. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/298576/india-guru-bazaar.html

Naveen Kumar is a gifted illustrator and photographer. Also, former DH colleague.

The new illustration made by Naveen which he felt suited the story better :)

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13 Comments
Puneet
14/12/2012 04:11:33 pm

Great and relevant topic and as usual very well written! I disagree that educated are falling prey to these self proclaimed saints and their shenanigans. Asaram Bapu, Nirmal Baba, Shani mahakal or other param pujya shree shree maharaj etc are all patronized by mostly middle class gullible home makers and ritualistic men. These babas with their make up and finery, broad tilaks and singhasans successfully appeal to the conditioned image of epic characters. They charge money, expect donations and glibly talk to satisfy feeling of religious duty and sense of good deed in their patrons. These babas who travel in air conditioned cars, live luxurious life and charge for appearance make fool of willing audience. Who can you blame except those who fall to their cheap tricks. I find them a source of amusement and entertainment like I find homeshopping or virility and fairness ads.

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Mahendra
14/12/2012 08:11:36 pm

I think the Gurus and the life coaches are serving two different markets. Disciples of Gurus have this simple logic "there is logic, and then there is this other world beyond it where logic does not apply. And don't ask me how I know this" - so amazingly even Phd in Nuclear Physics will dedicate their lives ( and their children's) to Sai Baba (the one with the Afro hairstyle and fetish for gold). Obviously in this case the need is psychiatric help, which the guru provides (or at least charges for).
The other market is more interesting, and one where I have some insight (since I have dealt with this in work place). Managers in India LOVE life coaches, way more than US (the only other country where this is a big business). And it seems to be a status symbol, the usual response to "why do you need a life coach?" being "because xyz has one" or "because abc company also offers this (perk)". I have seen the "reports" these sessions generate, and the drivel makes you want to jump out of the nearest window (since you have paid for it). So here the market seems to be targeting the "I have no idea what it is but I must have it since my peer has it, and if I don't have it what will others say?)

Anyway, the good thing is that some of these gurus / coaches are smooth enough to operate globally, and since there is no dearth of simpletons waiting for someone to part them from their savings, at least this will add to India's foreign exchange earnings.

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anjana link
14/12/2012 10:50:46 pm

Gurus are the part of contemporary life .They do provide answers to the spiritually inclined. Mano to Bhagwaan na mano to patthar. Well i have no Gurus in my life .I am too cynical. Mujhe guru ka gyaan nahi mila kyonki kabhi chaha hi nahi. Its a thought provoking article. You have hit nail on the head .Head kis ka hai?

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RITEN
16/12/2012 12:57:41 pm

When you see Asa Ram Bapu playing Holi from a grand 360 degree stand with hydraulic pipes at his disposal,and another Big Baba-Gun
chanting a Bhajan with Electric Guitars from the dug out next to the stage,"Muqaddar Aazmana chahta hoon,Tujhe (meaning Ishwar) apna banana chahta hoon', and the crowd swooning and swaying//One wonders Have we Indians gone mad.And Rachna ,the culprits are WOMEN, at least the bulk,between baingan bharhta cooking,they will run to any Swami on earth,and make the whole clan run.I claim to be a logical thinker,I was made to run after a Brown color Bull(after being sure it is not a cow), to feed 5 kg of Saag,and how I managed to keep the White bull away is another Spanish matador story, all this becoz some Spiritual Pathfinder prescribed it.Rachna, You made the article too Metaphysical.It is not your style.You should have pumped in Humor,sex,Fashion and rebirth.Even the biggest of Faqirs,tell me is there any sense of making a Gold statue of Shirdi Baba and bathe it in a milk swimming pond, when the saint lived under trees in his lifetime.We have gone berserk.Ok,Art of life is good,But why the hell they send me mails every week and chase me till hell/heaven.Is there a need for a middle man/dalal between me & God.I can chant Hanuman chalisa myself,why the hell I need a Guru ghantaal to tell me that.

You must do a hilarious story on these Babas and Swamis//You know there is a Supreme Court Judge's better half who has refused her son to marry a UN executive,because her family SWAMI has said if they marry they will separate after 7 years.I pity that Judge who with his Jurisprudence is a dumb spectator.I know of devotees who after reserving berths and come to say Goodbye to their Baba
are told Change your reservations//and imagine the gullible Bhakts//May be this train would have met with an accident, Baba has saved us.Don't we see TV stories,Rajni and so on,but where are the brains of the general public.Even well meaning moral lectures,people lap it up and then DO THE OPPOSITE.Rachna,You have to be hard hitting on these blokes,
otherwise contact me.For the time being I am going into Transcendental meditation.Good luck.

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ather
17/12/2012 06:43:50 am

The path to nirvana through the TV set eh? I don't think so! These TV pundits -or should I say pandits - take us all for a ride. The journey for each of us is an intensely personal one and this mass market peddling of enlightenment will only lead you to a fool's paradise.

The burgeoning of this spiritual TV market is because the TV really has become an idiot box from which the masses can be deluded and where the glut of capitalist consumption and gratification can be appeased at a so-called spiritual altar from the comfort of your home.

As our consumption of products shows no sign of abating, the realisation that having more does not equate with happiness makes us easy prey for these so called spiritutalists dispensing soundbite sermons

The path to salvation is a journey far more arduous than even these gurus would be prepared to undertake

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BIG B JB
18/12/2012 01:16:52 am

As usual very well and thoughtful article....yes today its a world of Demand and Supply...in other words..how one can fool others...and the right example is this....These gurus talks indeed too good but do they follow..? are they setting any example? I think NO....People Pay a lot to these Gurus...and they live so exotic and comfertable life style...example...Nityanand..Bheemanad......and so many examples where Gullible people have been exploited a lot...tthese Guru can touch your sensitive string and will exploit your emotions...I believe if you are preaching then first you set an example..live a simple life..don'e expect and accept any kind of donations tell your deciples to do community service....but they will never do so...Asha Ram Bapu have crores abd crores property.always moves by heptre....Rajneesh used to live very exotic life ...because they all could touch the sensitive string of humans and exploited fully........
Thanks a lot for this beautiful article.......very well written.....

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Anima
18/12/2012 12:33:29 pm

Naveen Kumar's illustration is brilliant. I agree with Prithiviraj Banerjee's opinion that maybe there are more people on Maslow's hierarchy of needs now, with Self-Actualization being the top most... And I liked your advice about being careful of the frauds if you are in the market for spiritual guru... but I guess we do find whatever we are looking for.

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Rosalind
18/12/2012 07:06:15 pm

We have a techie 'guru' in the phone shop. Very useful too!! Otherwise, I would say, beware gurus in whatever guise. Happy Christmas!

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Naveen
3/2/2013 12:50:33 am

Hi Rachana,

Find attached Illustration. This is actually I have worked according to your story. Please have a look. Thanks.

Regards

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Ritha
11/2/2013 11:55:38 am

Very relevant topic, and congratulations for another well written article! I dont believe in gurus too much, so I wont understand what is keeping up their market. But the gurus are definitely commendable for doing a good job of influencing thousands of people or may be really people are so susceptible to get help and not be judged.

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Rajender
3/3/2013 03:19:12 am

Thought provoking article.Difficult to decide about the Gurus as every thing has its demerits and merits . Anyway they are flourishing means that they are fulfilling the need of the society.

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NIRAJ KUMAR
24/3/2013 02:26:53 am

if u all have any doubt about indian gurus mail me i will answered u properly. because u all are full inspired by western culture.

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Memo Angeles
20/2/2015 02:10:42 am

Hi there! Excellent article! I just wanted to pint out that this "floating Guru illustration was not made by Naveen Kumar, but by me. Thank you very much :) http://depositphotos.com/13907430/stock-illustration-floating-guru.html

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    Rachna Bisht Rawat is a full time mom and part time writer. She is married to an Army officer whose work takes the family to some of the most interesting corners of India.

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