A small yet cozy beautiful cafe named Chakra House in Mysore had visitors from all around the world. Italians, Spanish, Aussies, Americans, and men, and women from various parts of the Middle East and Africa.
They were all yogis. A new wave of people in the world who've taken an interest in yoga, meditation and the spiritual aspects of Eastern practices. They come in all age groups and professional backgrounds but are mostly healthy, thanks to the yoga they love so much. They were not of any spectrum from the real-world demographics, and they could be anyone in their home countries. But they all had one thing in common, their love for the practice of yoga, the community they are part of and the warmth and peace it brings to their heart.
Some of them were veterans, some were beginners, some chose to do it as an alternative to going to the gym, some were recommended to it by their friends, and many may have started it as a therapy to give themselves a relaxed time as a remedy to their stressful work-life and a few might have been forced to start it by their loved ones whom they could not refuse.
As the sun started to set, few began to listen to their favourite bhajans, a ritual chanting like songs whispering the words such as Rama, Krishna, and Shambo Shankara, while sipping their drinks from a peculiar custom-made veggie drinks menu.
The recent advancements in the world which have connected one another across the continents making travelling faster and easier than ever before, effortless ways of communication and access to information have all made these like-minded yogis reach out to the world, and not only find another who they can bond with and share their thoughts and precious time but more importantly to find themselves. Something which would not have been possible fifty years ago without the technological advancements we have today. They now identify themselves as spiritual, yogic, meditative folks which has given them a sense of oneness. The welcoming nature of yoga is so open, that they don't necessarily have to identify themselves as yogic, but merely a practitioner of a spiritual art, there are no divisions here.
This atmosphere is apparent not just in the subcontinent but all over the world where a group of such spirits come together and attract new ones more than before. About 40-50 years ago, eastern mysticism being a huge part of the hippie culture influenced many great musicians and artists whose names will forever be part of history, and now once again, the same energy has brought people together spreading the message of healthy life, meditation, peace and love, and perhaps veggie smoothies. And only time will tell what mark will it leave in the history for these nomads and romantics of the soul.
On the other side, a different wave of a younger generation is rapidly being drawn to Western culture. The world of rock and roll, hip-hop, independence from social obligations, living an adventurous life of extreme sports, engineering, studying in Ivy League universities, high-end cars, gadgets and the exuberant nightlife is a dream life for millions and millions more. The Western media with their extraordinary presentation through their movies, science journals, sitcoms, social media and lifestyle, has made it possible to flood their nations with the brightest, most brilliant young lings of the world who are full of passion and who would go to great lengths to live the Western way.
And once again, this is made possible with the same technological advancement which has brought together yogis from around the globe. Like the yogis, connecting to the world through internet and various technologies has made possible for those who love a bit of rock and roll in their blood, and bond with the ones whose thoughts sync alike. And they too are finding themselves and their place in the world.
These are not the cases of the grass is green on the other side. It can be observed that a child born in a corner of the world, does not necessarily need to follow the culture and have the mindset of the location it's born into, as the customs go. By letting the mind run free, without affecting a person's individuality through the force of traditions, and allowing the consciousness to mold itself by letting it choose, we're slowly moving towards a better, happier, and lively age of individualness. A significant and much-welcomed development for us all.