Traditions...

Discomfort with traditions did not start in this generation. Sometimes we (Baby Boomers) look at younger generations who do not want to follow any tradition and write them off in our minds. But then, when we were young, we did the same thing.

The best movie I grew up with was Fiddler on the Roof, a musical from 1964. In the ’60s, the world was struggling with these questions! So those of us who think the younger generations are the problem- remember, we too were young and were questioning things once!

I have come back to my geographical roots eight weeks ago. Observing the context around me, I find it to be one of “Conservative Modernism” (if there is such a word). There are elements of tradition and conservative community life all around, but much of modernism too! And being part of some of these traditions after a long stint away has been interesting.

The ones I have enjoyed and experienced thus far have had three elements:

One – Traditions bring memories from the past. Both positive and negative, but generally more positive. The reality is we cannot forget the past and live only in the present and future. It is the past that gives us clarity for the future. Remember the “walking backwards into the future” concept? You can read it in a previous blog:

https://santhoshsramblings.blogspot.com/2025/02/fears.html

Two – The memories remind you that you are part of something bigger and greater. You are not the centre of life. Life does not revolve around you. The world and what I see started much before I was called into existence and will be here long after I leave (most likely, unless the current war leads to something else or the awaited new earth becomes a reality).

Three – Structures created around traditions give us a set of community behaviours and activities, which keep life as a family, community, and nation together.

But the problem is, these same traditions that are life-giving have also been used to enslave or destroy life. Or drain the joy of life! 

How does that happen?

One – When tradition becomes a law and is used to create, at times, unnecessary boundaries within which one must live. If not, you are rejected. You are not part of us! 
Two – When traditions are used to control and keep others under control. Traditions become a powerful tool of dominance. You must follow this! 
Three – When traditions kill creativity. This is the way we do it here! 

So, the question is—does tradition make us happier?

Research findings on the impact of tradition on well-being are mixed. For instance, a study in Poland found that valuing tradition was associated with increased well-being, whereas an Israeli study reported the opposite. In India, researchers observed that strict adherence to tradition reduced happiness by marginalizing personal desires and limiting opportunities for growth. Some studies also suggest that societies heavily bound to tradition may struggle to adapt to change. In such contexts, tradition can hinder progress and innovation by reinforcing the status quo.

https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/42594/a-new-science-of-suffering-the-wisdom-of-the-soul-and-the-new-behavioral-economics-of-happiness-towards-a-general-theory-of-well-being/magazine

But then, people say the current younger generation is much more anti-tradition than we were. I am not too sure. But even if they are—are we not to blame? We mismanaged the planet and are leaving a hotter, more unstable world for them. We created a knowledge explosion but do not know how to manage it—while they seem to know it better. And they want a future where there are fewer (or no) self-promoting, hate-mongering, false-truth-promoting leaders around! And with 55% of India under 35 years of age, the future is theirs anyway.

On a different note—the conflicts around the world, do they not arise from traditions we hold on to, based on religion, majority nationalism, and people-group supremacies? And when those are challenged, we revolt? When will we learn peaceful coexistence?

But then, traditions are still being created. Every generation will create its own. And traditions evolve too from one thing to another! Especially the religious ones. 

Remember the Guru's cat story.

"When the guru sat down to worship each evening, the ashram cat would get in the way and distract the worshippers. So he ordered that the cat be tied during evening worship. After the guru died, the cat continued to be tied during evening worship. And when the cat expired, another cat was brought to the ashram so that it could be duly tied during evening worship. Centuries later, learned treatises were written by the guru’s scholarly disciples on the liturgical significance of tying up a cat while worship is performed."

I grew up in a tea-drinking family. I broke the tradition and created a morning coffee (that too, filter coffee) drinking tradition. But if I had left it at that, it was okay. I, in my heart, went ahead (confession time 😊), yet to act on it. Morning coffee gives me my “status and identity for the day.” I’ve started to look down on those who do not enjoy coffee (filter coffee - instant coffee is not acceptable). I don’t use it to control others—but I do pass sly remarks if people say they don’t like it .

I wonder—what life-draining tradition do I hold on to and make life difficult for others...