The Contemporary revitalization of Indigenous Spiritualites

Abstract: India represents a unique case study of an indigenous spirituality that has managed to survive to this day compared to other major civilizations. Political and cultural subjugation of its land did not eliminate the spiritual roots of the culture that identified unity in the apparent polytheistic ceremonies in regions and sub-cultures spread across the length and breadth of the sub-continent. Political freedom has served to liberate and revitalize the ancient culture aided in no small measure by the rise of personalities considered to be contemporary saints who have successfully reached out to the diaspora as well. The philosophy that perceived the underlying unity amidst celebrating the apparent diversity could well show the way towards harmonious living.

Presenter bio: 

Siva Kumar Venugopal is a faculty member and currently the ‘Course Director’ of ‘Indian Philosophy’ at the health sciences campus of Amrita University at Kochi, south India, with over 3 decades of experience across industry and academia. This institution has been inspired by noted humanitarian and spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi Devi.

Affiliation: Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita University, Kochi, India.