How do Indians and Westerners approach spirituality differently?

Answer Podcast

How do Indians and Westerners approach spirituality differently?

So, how do Indians and Westerners—or more broadly, non-Indians—approach bhakti differently?

Broadly speaking, for many Indians, spiritual practices are often seen more as cultural or traditional duties rather than conscious spiritual pursuits. These practices are followed because “this is what our culture or tradition says.” As a result, there may not always be deep intellectual reflection or inquiry into the why behind the practices.

For example, even when Indians living abroad come to ISKCON temples or similar centers, they often come because these places feel like a cultural home—a place to connect with their roots. In such cases, the temple is more of a cultural destination than a spiritual one.

This kind of approach can be broadly aligned with karma-marga, the path of action or ritual. Here, religious activities are often performed with the hope of gaining some material or emotional benefit. These benefits could be physical—like health or success—or psychological, such as a sense of peace, belonging, or community.

In contrast, jnana-marga, the path of knowledge, is centered on inquiry. A person on this path seeks answers to deeper, ultimate questions. They want to go beyond surface-level practices to reach the underlying substance. They may not reject rituals altogether, but their focus is on understanding truth more deeply.

Now, these three approaches—karma (ritual), jnana (analysis), and bhakti (devotion)—aren’t just limited to Hinduism or Indian spirituality. They’re universal spiritual archetypes. In any religious tradition, you’ll find:

• Some people focused primarily on rituals,
• Others who emphasize intellectual or philosophical inquiry,
• And a rare few who operate on the basis of divine love—pure devotion.

What the bhakti tradition emphasizes is that we ultimately need to go beyond both ritual performance and intellectual analysis to come to the level of divine love—bhakti. That is the ultimate goal.

However, the journey to bhakti may begin differently for different people.

• Some reach bhakti through sincere ritual practice.
• Some arrive at it through deep philosophical inquiry.

Among Westerners who take to Indian spirituality, many initially approach it through jnana-marga. That is, they come with questions, seeking answers that they perhaps didn’t find within their native traditions. They may be intellectually driven, and are open to exploring wherever they feel those answers may be found. In some cases, they may eventually embrace bhakti, but their journey usually begins with inquiry, not ritual.

That said, there are also Westerners who approach Indian traditions through karma-marga, though often in a more secular or wellness-oriented form—such as yoga, Ayurveda, or meditation. But in those cases, it may not yet be a spiritual journey; it’s more about health or lifestyle.

Once someone becomes serious about spirituality, however, they need something to sustain them. Because coming to the level of divine love takes time. Until then, either disciplined rituals or thoughtful philosophical reflection can serve as nourishing practices that keep one steady on the path.

So, because Indians and Westerners often come from these different entry points, the way we present spirituality needs to be adapted accordingly. While philosophy and rational thought are important for all seekers, for those coming primarily from a jnana orientation, this becomes the main gateway into spiritual life.

Of course, there are Indians who are also driven by philosophical inquiry, and Westerners who follow rituals faithfully. So we should avoid stereotyping. But still, in general terms, the starting points differ, and that affects both how people engage and how spiritual teachings need to be shared.

In conclusion, whether one begins through karma, jnana, or bhakti, the important thing is to recognize where someone is and then guide them forward—toward deeper spiritual realization, ultimately culminating in pure devotion, divine love.