Is patriotism opposed to universalism?
A tree gets its stability through its well-nourished roots, but the roots are invisible. Unless you honour the root, the tree will not survive. A country's history and heritage are its roots. We must respect our roots, live in the present, and have a positive outlook towards the future.
However, patriotism and pride in one's past are not opposed to the values of universalism.
Today, you live in what is called a global village, so there's no doubt you have to be a global citizen. But that doesn't mean you can not be patriotic.
Your patriotism need not oppose or put down any other country. Some countries support patriotism while frowning at other patriotic countries. Individuals of every country have a right to feel patriotic. They should feel proud of their languages. For example, Kannada is the mother tongue of Kannadigas, of which they should feel proud! Similarly, the French or the Russian should feel proud of their languages.
Every province in India has its unique culture and identity. They have their unique food, music, and folk culture. It is necessary that individuals nurture their heritage and don't lose it.
Patriotism and universalism aren't paradoxical. However, how we value patriotism and how we contribute towards universalism make the difference. For example, spirituality is for everybody. We can share spiritual wisdom universally. However, wherever it is coming from, we should welcome it wholeheartedly. We shouldn't say that spirituality originated in India, and so I will not practice it, or that the telephone was originally manufactured in the USA, and so I will not allow it in my country. Or, that the cell phone originated in Finland, and so I am not going to use a cell phone. In this age of technology, we share technology irrespective of the place where it was invented.
Sir Isaac Newton discovered the law of gravity. The law of gravity was already there, but the credit went to Newton, and it has been universally accepted. Similarly, India has gifted Yoga and Ayurveda to the world, and all countries should acknowledge this with an open heart. Sages of ancient India discovered Yoga and Ayurveda. They must be recognised as the rightful founders of these branches of knowledge.
Universalism isn't the denial of diversity. Children should be encouraged to learn their mother tongues, especially learning to count in their vernacular languages. There are so many local songs in regional languages, and couplets with such deep philosophy in almost every province of India, and the same, I believe, in every part of the world.
The diversity of local cuisines needs to be kept alive. For example, when I was in college in the 70s, I went to Kerala. At that time, only traditional food was available, and everyone would eat that healthy food joyfully. However, today, you don't see that variety anymore.
With time, we have also forgotten much of the knowledge of Ayurveda. These traditional practices must be revived and brought back into practice. The unique cultural heritage needs to be preserved, and people should feel proud of it. Similarly, people should also spread the best practices of their culture universally without any malice and adopt whatever is best for them, wholeheartedly.
National pride, and friendliness with the world, aren't two opposite sentiments. They can work together.
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Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a humanitarian and spiritual master. He has founded The Art of Living, present in 180 countries, known to empower individuals through its unique breathing techniques and tools for mind management. LESS ... MORE A tree gets its stability through its well-nourished roots, but the roots are invisible. Unless you honour the root, the tree will not survive. A country's history and heritage are its roots. We must respect our roots, live in the present, and have a positive outlook towards the future. However, patriotism and pride in one's past are not opposed to the values of universalism. Today, you live in what is called a global village, so there's no doubt you have to be a global citizen. But that doesn't mean you can not be patriotic. Your patriotism need not oppose or put down any other country. Some countries support patriotism while frowning at other patriotic countries. Individuals of every country have a right to feel patriotic. They should feel proud of their languages. For example, Kannada is the mother tongue of Kannadigas, of which they should feel proud! Similarly, the French or the Russian should feel proud of their languages. Every province in India has its unique culture and identity. They have their unique food, music, and folk culture. It is necessary that individuals nurture their heritage and don't lose it. Patriotism and universalism aren't paradoxical. However, how we value patriotism and how we contribute towards universalism make the difference. For example, spirituality is for everybody. We can share spiritual wisdom universally. However, wherever it is coming from, we should welcome it wholeheartedly. We shouldn't say that spirituality originated in India, and so I will not practice it, or that the telephone was originally manufactured in the USA, and so I will not allow it in my country. Or, that the cell phone originated in Finland, and so I am not going to use a cell phone. In this age of technology, we share technology irrespective of the place where it was invented. Sir Isaac Newton discovered the law of gravity. The law of gravity was already there, but the credit went to Newton, and it has been universally accepted. Similarly, India has gifted Yoga and Ayurveda to the world, and all countries should acknowledge this with an open heart. Sages of ancient India discovered Yoga and Ayurveda. They must be recognised as the rightful founders of these branches of knowledge. Universalism isn't the denial of diversity. Children should be encouraged to learn their mother tongues, especially learning to count in their vernacular languages. There are so many local songs in regional languages, and couplets with such deep philosophy in almost every province of India, and the same, I believe, in every part of the world. The diversity of local cuisines needs to be kept alive. For example, when I was in college in the 70s, I went to Kerala. At that time, only traditional food was available, and everyone would eat that healthy food joyfully. However, today, you don't see that variety anymore. With time, we have also forgotten much of the knowledge of Ayurveda. These traditional practices must be revived and brought back into practice. The unique cultural heritage needs to be preserved, and people should feel proud of it. Similarly, people should also spread the best practices of their culture universally without any malice and adopt whatever is best for them, wholeheartedly. National pride, and friendliness with the world, aren't two opposite sentiments. They can work together. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
