Kashmir
Spiritual Collectivism vs. Individualism
Kashmir is a dramatic area of India. The landscape is right out of a fairytale. We arrived after a treacherous 13 hour drive from McLeod Ganj to a town called Pahalgam set in the Himalayan foothills. Wild horses roamed everywhere. Out of the window of our guest house, the sound of galloping horses and rushing water from the Himalayan river were constant companions. The place was beautiful and wild.
Kashmir is a territory divided between India and Pakistan. The two countries have fought three wars over Kashmir. The most recent began in 1989 and the violence continued until 2003 during which time over 70,000 people died. In 2001 it was probably one of the most dangerous places in the world. I knew it was considered a dangerous vacation spot but I felt relatively safe considering the overwhelming military presence. Soldiers with automatic guns stood every 50 feet and a military base could be seen every 10 kilometers along the roads. Although 80% of India's population practices Hinduism the northwesternmost region is Muslim. The reasons for the conflict in this region are several and I understand very little. From what I've read, Pakistan has claimed the role of speaking for the Indian Muslims in Kashmir and giving them moral and political support. Including providing covert arms and training to terrorists and subversives. Inevitably where there is religious conflict, there is war.
I talked to our guide about Islam. He shared the same values as the Hindus and Buddhists I had spoken to in other parts of India. These people talk about religion all the time. It is consistently on the tip of their tongues. They all share the belief that all people are the same. All religions are the same and all people are connected. It's a very spiritual country and it doesn't seem to matter what religion they profess because when you sit and talk with them they say that the real temple is inside of each of us. If you need guidance, look no further than your own heart. Where ever you go, there you are.
The Eastern cultures teach individuals they are dependent upon one another. They are dependent on nature, on their communities and on their families. So it would be appropriate that they all speak regularly of the connectedness of all things. The innate cultural connectedness gives meaning to their lives. In the West we are raised with the concept of the individual. Our nation was built upon the idea that we can and must make it on our own. As early as 13 or 14 years old begin planning our departure from our homes and families. If a 25 year old lives at home with their parents people wonder what's wrong. We live our lives alone without communities, without feeling connected to others on a regular basis. This may drive us to give meaning to our lives. This perhaps explains why we are more technologically advanced? Our feelings of disconnectedness make us discontented and push us forward to create. We are desperately on the move. We spend our days at work and we try to fill our free time with various activities. When we relax with others it is usually in front of a TV or with a six pack. The people here spend their lives together. They do everything together. They know if they are to help themselves they need to help everyone around them.
