Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The White Hindu

Home
Hindu
Embarrassed by Spirituality

Embarrassed by Spirituality

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:34 pm by Ambaa Choate

Embarrassed by Spirituality 2015-03-13T22:34:39-04:00 Ambaa Choate

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Am I embarrassed to be a Hindu? Not at all. No, I am embarrassed by this perception of me as trying too hard.

Why is it that I (and plenty of others) are so afraid of that? What harm is it to me if some people think I’m over the top? Strange? Ridiculous?

I hate that people think these things of me:

Spiritual tourist

“India Syndrome”

Trying too hard

Delusional

I hate hearing those things. I hate thinking that people think that’s me. But really, so what? Why do I take it so much to heart?

Some reasons why I think we might feel judged if we happen to be religious people…

Vulnerability

Most of the time passion for something is admired and respected but sometimes someone seems just too into whatever they love. So passionate about it that we cringe. Why? I think it’s because someone who loves something that much comes across as vulnerable. What if it lets her down? What if someone takes advantage of his love in order to scam him? Loving something too much makes us feel vulnerable and when we see someone else love something that much it makes us feel worried for them. We might distance ourselves from that worrying by rolling our eyes or being dismissive of this person’s passion.

Desperation to Fit In

This is one that converts to Hinduism can easily fall into. Since Hindus usually have a particular look that maybe you don’t quite have, you try really hard to be as Hindu as possible in every way that you can. Usually this results in going way too far and doing more than a native ever would.

Desperation is not attractive on anyone and we feel sympathy pains as we see someone try so hard for something she’ll never achieve (such as striving to be a different race!)

Getting Taken Seriously

For religious people in particular we might worry that in our job or around our peers we could be dismissed as not as intelligent if we are open about being religious. When you’re in a secular area, admitting to being religious could expose you to ridicule.

***

Fear of trying too hard is something I think a lot of Americans suffer from. This is why we don’t dress up very much for events and usually don’t want to be the most dressed up (and hence look like the person who cared the most!). The hipster craze going on in this country right now seems to be all about being above it all and too cool; detached and ironic, not caring too much about anything so they aren’t vulnerable and exposing their true hearts.

Just like all our dating advice books say, he who cares the least wins.

I don’t want to see the world that way anymore. When I see someone swaying in bliss, eyes closed, lost in communion with the divine, I don’t want to shudder or scoff. Some people may laugh at me sometimes, but I don’t have to do that to others. I can hold my head high and say, it’s okay if you want to make fun of my passion. I’m strong enough and confident enough to keep following my heart.

http://kwakualston.com/product/hare-krishna-girls/

white people trying too hard

Previous Post

December 3, 2013

My Home Puja Altar

Next Post

December 6, 2013 Best of The White Hindu 2013

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Club Hindu Holiday How Am I Being a Hindu This Week? Inside the Life Meet a God Meet a Guru Movie Club Philosophy Corner Resources Scripture Uncategorized Wild Card

Select a Month February 2020 September 2019 May 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

By questioning Moses' authority this person became leperous?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Miriam Caleb Aaron Ithamar