Redefining spirituality through the perspective of India's younger generation
In the bustling and chaotic modern world, spirituality is increasingly becoming a source of peace for India's Gen Z. This generation, known for their questions and exploration, is embracing what resonates personally, according to Surya, a 27-year-old influencer with over 290,000 followers on Instagram.
A study by MTV Youth in 2021 revealed that 62% of Gen Z believe spirituality helps them gain clarity, and almost 70% said they felt more confident after prayer. This trend is not limited to India, as a study by Pew Research Center showed that the global population's religious affiliation fell by 1% from 2010 to 2020, while the percentage of people with no religious affiliation grew.
Surya, who has traveled to several major Hindu pilgrimage sites and festivals, including the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Kedarnath, and the Haridwar Kumbh, argues that young people may not read entire scriptures or sit in temples for hours, but they may listen to a 60-second clip of Gita wisdom or do a 10-minute guided meditation at night.
The right-wing, Hindu nationalist government of India has pumped funds into developing and promoting important religious sites such as Ayodhya. The states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have announced plans to revamp sites of religious, historical, and mythological significance.
However, the relationship between Gen Z and religion or spirituality is not without criticism. Psychologist Manavi Khurana suggests that while there may be an element of truth to the criticism that spirituality on social media can be performative, it does not make the youth's relationship with religion or spirituality inauthentic. Khurana points out that young people have been brought up around phones and raised by technology, and their communication via Instagram or the internet is their way of community.
This generation is not just engaging with traditional religion but is also reinventing and customizing it to suit their needs. Rohit Singh, a 24-year-old resident of Gurugram, was born into a Hindu family but does not identify as religious. He participates in the Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Lord Shiva, but also believes in astrology and has used spirituality as a means to cope with mental health issues.
Rohit Singh is not alone in his approach. Many young Indians are adopting a "spiritual but not religious" identity, favoring inclusive and life-affirming practices such as meditation without religious trappings, eco-rituals, sound baths, and manifestation ceremonies. This shift reflects their desire for connection and meaning beyond rigid religious frameworks, creating new pathways to the sacred.
In conclusion, Indian Gen Z is transforming spirituality into a flexible, hybrid experience focused on mental well-being and self-growth, using both age-old traditions and innovative modern techniques to cope and find grounding in a complex world. This trend is reshaping Indian spirituality and religion into a market and cultural movement that respects heritage while meeting contemporary mental health needs.
- The media often covers Gen Z's embrace of spirituality, with studies showing that a significant percentage of this generation finds comfort in spiritual practices, particularly in gaining clarity and building confidence.
- The right-wing government of India has invested in promoting religious sites, while states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra plan to revamp sites of religious, historical, and mythological significance.
- Critics argue that spirituality on social media can be performative, but psychologist Manavi Khurana asserts that this doesn't negate the authenticity of Gen Z's relationship with spirituality and religion.
- Rather than limiting themselves to traditional religion, many young Indians are reinventing and customizing their spiritual practices to cater to their needs, adopting a "spiritual but not religious" identity and experimenting with practices such as meditation, eco-rituals, sound baths, and manifestation ceremonies, all with a focus on mental health and self-growth.
