By Bhavani Shankar Nayak*
As India’s general election campaign draws to a close after spreading the venom of deceptive Hindutva politics at campaign rallies, propaganda guru Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to meditate for 48 hours at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Tamil Nadu.
But there is no spiritual rest in hateful Hindutva politics. PM Modi can televise his meditations but he will never be able to erase the toxicity of Hindutva that is inherent in his political practice.
Rooted in mindfulness practice, meditation helps individuals focus on the present moment and navigate the complexities of everyday life. Meditation is a discipline embraced by a variety of religious, secular and spiritual traditions, each of which value its potential for self-development and spiritual comfort in an inherently alienating capitalist society.
In times of suffering, meditation can offer a path to inner peace and resilience, enabling practitioners to find solace and strength. Whether through planned sessions or informal practice, meditation serves as a versatile tool to enhance mental clarity, emotional stability and overall well-being. Meditation’s universal appeal lies in its ability to cultivate a deeper connection with oneself and the world around us, making it a key component of so-called holistic health and spiritual practices.
Meditation is also said to enhance cognitive processes, enabling you to think more clearly, reflect deeply, devise effective strategies, and ponder complex problems. By cultivating a calm, focused mind, meditation allows for deeper introspection and creativity. This mental clarity leads to more insightful problem-solving and innovative ideas. As a result, many people find that a regular meditation practice not only improves their emotional well-being, but also enhances their intellectual and creative abilities.
Despite his public displays of meditation, it remains difficult to gauge what PM Modi really thinks, ponders, devises and ponders in his daily life. Such public acts of meditation are seen as symbolic or strategic but do not necessarily provide insight into his personal thoughts and intentions outside of his Hindutva campaign and personal image-building.
While meditation is a private practice that offers numerous mental and emotional benefits, the public nature of Modi’s meditation may obscure, rather than reveal, deeper aspects of his inner life that could bring some public benefit to Indian society and politics.
Modi’s public meditations can be seen as propaganda stunts aimed at influencing public perception, rather than displays of genuine introspection — strategically designed to bolster his image as a thoughtful and spiritual leader.
While meditation is generally a private, reflective practice, when politicians meditate in public it is often used as a tool to manipulate public opinion rather than for personal enlightenment. Thus, the nature and impact of Modi’s reflections in these moments seem geared more towards propaganda than genuine reflection or problem-solving.
The practice of meditation as a public and political act is spreading beyond India’s borders and under Prime Minister Modi’s influence. In the UK, over 120 Members of Parliament and 180 Lords have attended meditation courses, reflecting a wider acceptance and integration of mindfulness practice in the political sphere.
This trend highlights a wider recognition of the benefits of meditation and has led to proposals to establish a dedicated meditation room within the UK Parliament, similar to facilities already in place at the Australian Parliament in Canberra.
Meditation is also gaining acceptance in the corporate world, with many companies introducing meditation training programs for their employees. These programs aim to boost mental health, reduce stress, and improve overall productivity. Companies are realizing the potential of incorporating meditation in the workplace to create a more focused, resilient, and innovative workforce.
This growing trend signals the increased value of mindfulness and meditation across many sectors of society. Whether in politics, business or personal life, meditation is recognised as a powerful tool for promoting mental clarity, emotional stability and an overall sense of well-being.
The marketization, medicalization, and popularization of meditation are important trends in contemporary therapeutic culture, driven primarily by the pressures and alienation that come with a global capitalist society. As individuals seek ways to cope with the stress, isolation, and fast pace of modern life, meditation has emerged as a widely available tool for achieving mental and emotional relief.
Marketization refers to the commercialization of meditation practice. More and more products, apps, and services are designed and sold to meet the demand for mindfulness and stress reduction. From guided meditation apps to retreats and workshops, the industry surrounding meditation is rapidly expanding, catering to the needs of a diverse audience seeking amelioration and solace in a mental health crisis created by capitalism.
PM Modi’s public meditation can be seen as a propaganda stunt aimed primarily at influencing public perception.
Medicalization involves incorporating meditation into mainstream medicine as an accepted therapeutic intervention, but meditation cannot hide the shortcomings of toxic Hindutva politics or the failure of Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, nor can it rehabilitate the failings of capitalism.
With unverified claims that meditation can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, medical professionals are embracing meditation as part of a holistic approach to treatment. Hospitals, clinics, and wellness programs now often include meditation as a complementary therapy, with its effectiveness proven through scientific research.
Popularization, on the other hand, reflects the widespread acceptance and practice of meditation across sectors of society. Once considered a niche or alternative practice, meditation is now embraced by people from all walks of life, including politicians, corporate employees, and everyday people. This mainstream acceptance is evidenced by initiatives such as meditation rooms in parliaments, mindfulness programs in the workplace, and the incorporation of meditation into educational curricula.
The growing trend for meditation in therapeutic culture is a response to the feelings of alienation and isolation that come with a capitalist lifestyle. By promoting mindfulness and self-awareness, meditation offers a way to counteract the negative effects of a high-pressure, materialistic society and cultivate a sense of inner peace and connection.
For working people, meditation has evolved into a practice of moral imperative, essential to overcoming the daily challenges and challenges posed by market-driven states, governments and societies. In an environment where capitalist exploitation is normalized and justified by the promise of prosperity, individuals are often under great pressure and stress.
The relentless pursuit of economic growth and personal success can leave people feeling alienated, burned out, and mentally exhausted. Meditation counters these pressures and offers individuals the tools they need to maintain their mental health and emotional resilience. By cultivating mindfulness and inner peace, meditation helps workers cope with the demands and injustices of a capitalist system that puts profits over people. Meditation serves as a tool for self-care and survival, allowing individuals to regain a sense of control and well-being amid the chaos of modern life.
The widespread adoption of meditation among working people signals a collective response to systematic exploitation. It reflects a growing awareness of the need for individual and collective strategies to mitigate the negative effects of capitalism. As a practice rooted in mindfulness, meditation empowers individuals to develop the inner strength, focus, and clarity to help them tolerate and resist the dehumanizing aspects of their socio-economic environment.
Through meditation, working people find ways to navigate the complexities of a market-driven world while striving to preserve their collective dignity and sense of self.
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*University of Glasgow (UK)
