Religion and I
Image by Gemini AI As the new academic year begins today in Kerala’s schools, I’m reminded of the fact that it’s a year since I stopped teaching and took to retired life, the third stage of Vanaprastha in the Hindu vision of life. According to this view, I’m supposed to pass on household duties to younger generation and focus more on spiritual contemplation. Since Maggie and I are the only two members of our family, I can’t pass on duties to any youngster. But I decided to do some serious exploration of religion and spirituality. That’s how I started writing a book which was tentatively titled The Simplest Guide to Religion . I’m not religious. I was unable to find meaning in prayers and rituals though I like visiting religious places. My countless visits to such places as well as my observations of people who practise religion earnestly made me want to learn why religion appeals to so many people though it appears absurd to me. That’s how I started working on this book. ...
