Culture & Religion at the crossroads

In Bhagavadgita, chapter 11 is devoted to Vishwaroopa darshan, where Lord Krishna displays his Cosmic form to Arjuna. However, as it cannot be perceived by the ordinary senses, divine organs of perception are temporarily provided to Arjuna to experience it. 

Similarly to appreciate classical literature & music, a special ability has to be developed. Otherwise even if exposure to them takes place, the result will be nil. This is the unfortunate condition of most now. There is some minimal exposure to literary works in language courses, but no exposure to  classical music & film appreciation here unlike in western countries where semester courses are available in universities. So generation after generation of young people are being educated with the sole purpose of earning money, & worse, with an all encompassing disinterest in anything else. A mutant human race may be evolved similar to animals with only basic instincts & devoid of curiosity, which differentiated the human race from animals.

Though walking is involved both in treadmill & walking from one point to another, in the former, only exercise is the purpose whereas in the latter a place is also to be reached. Similarly organised religions provide a repetitive ritual based system to lull the mind into believing that something is being achieved, whereas like a treadmill, the spiritual life is stationary. Whereas to actually progress spiritually from one point to another, only the mystics in all religions have shown the way, bypassing the organisation & priestcraft in conventional religions.

To paraphrase Jiddu Krishnamurti, "God created religion & the Devil allowed man to organise it." This was also the gist of Thomas Paine's appealing & appaling "The Age of Reason." The need of the hour may be a "rat race" with cultural & spiritual goals instead of material goals to save the human race!