Materialism Versus Spirituality: Neo-Vedanta Approach of Synthesis

Abstract

In this article I will try to expound and examine the debate of materialism and spiritualism in the context of two cultures: Western and Eastern respectively. It was Vivekananda, a neo or practical vedantin, who attached two isms with two cultures. Western society has excelled in the ‘art of matter’ and focused all their attention on it. The opposite is true of the eastern world. Ignoring the material aspect of life, they have spent their energy on learning the ‘art of soul’. These two societies have remained ignorant of other aspects of life. The result is a paralyzed growth of the human world. This is visible in the process of globalization as well. In the present world, we are following utter materialism in the name of globalization, which results in consumerism. Here, I wish to mention the solution prescribed by Vivekananda. In his view, the remedy lies in the synthesis of ‘spirit’ and ‘matter’. For both these cultures, oriental and occidental should come together and learn the missing part from each other. Westerners should learn from eastern people about spirituality, whereas the ‘art of matter’ should be learnt under the guidance of westerners. When ‘matter’ and ‘spirit’ go together, a new life will emerge on earth and only such world will be a real ‘global village’.