Your cart is currently empty!
In India, young people are experiencing a new turn towards spirituality, often outside traditional religious ties. This development is influenced by factors such as social media, pilgrimages and meditation, with many young people seeking comfort and a personal spiritual practice without strictly adhering to religious dogma.
A survey by YouGov-Mint found that 53 percent of Indian Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) consider religion important and 62 percent of them pray regularly. According to the 2021 MTV Youth Study, 62 percent of Indian Generation Z believe that spirituality helps them gain clarity.
A quiet wave is currently sweeping through India’s younger generation – a search for spiritual depth beyond familiar rituals, driven by a longing for inner peace and meaning. What is driving this return to tradition – does it offer support against modern chaos or is it just superficial comfort?
Spiritual change among India’s youth
Spirituality beyond dogmatic religious duties
Young people, especially Generation Z, are redefining spirituality – without strictly adhering to religious dogma. They are leaving religious traditions behind, but still seek guidance in inner experiences. One example: Rohit Singh, 24, from Gurugram, describes himself as “not religious, but living a spiritual life” – and finds pilgrimages such as the Kanwar Yatra to be a refuge in difficult times.
Surveys confirm: spirituality as a compass in uncertain times
According to YouGov-Mint, 53% of Indian Gen Z consider religion important, and 62% pray regularly.
The 2021 MTV study shows that 62% of young people see spirituality as helpful for inner clarity, and just under 70% feel more confident after praying.
Social media as a modern temple
Digital platforms open doors to spiritual practice: reels, podcasts or YouTube clips on meditation, mantras or Gita quotes become spiritual nourishment for short attention spans – accessible, but also with the danger of superficiality. Shruti Varma warns against “bites instead of real nutrition”. Jasmine Arora adds: “You have to dive deeper instead of just being a trend.”
Spirituality as a therapeutic outlet
In the face of stress, burnout and digital overload, spirituality offers a safe space for self-care. Meditation, mantras or symbolic rituals such as journaling or ashram stays function as modern healing rituals.
Digitalisation and individualisation
Spirituality is becoming increasingly personal, flexible and digital. Many are turning to spiritual apps (e.g. Sattva, ThinkRight.me) or online pilgrimages – without any institutional ties.
Philosophical perspective: experience instead of belief
This change means that people don’t just want to believe, they want to feel deeply. Spirituality becomes a personal experience – not a dogma, but a path. As Tagore once wrote: “We are not separated from God; we are only separated from ourselves.” In this tradition, spirituality becomes an inner home that everyone enters according to their own rhythm.
Scientific foundation
From a psychological perspective, terms such as “healing,” “grounding” and “well-being” connect spiritual practice with mental health – an important factor in a digitally exposed world.
Practical relevance & metaphors
Metaphor: Like an inner lighthouse, spirituality symbolises an anchor that provides stability and orientation in stormy times.
Practical example: A young student meditates for twenty to thirty minutes every morning and evening – no temple, no pressure, just a moment of self-reflection.
Practical relevance: Apps such as Sattva bring mantra meditation into the bedroom – religious rituals become part of everyday life, personal and available at any time. Nevertheless, I recommend personal guidance and mentoring by experienced teachers.
I describe this in detail in my book:
“Meditation nur das sein? Vital Self Meditation. Bhavatit Dhyan. Der Yogaweg der Meditation.” ISBN 9783759821881
Viral Self Meditation offers everything you need for a deep experience. DeepTrancend. Bhavatit Dhyan, the yoga path of meditation
Advantages of Vital Self Meditation:
Natural, simple relaxation
Easy and quick to learn
No technique, no app necessary
No music or external aids
No effort or concentration required
Can be practised anywhere, anytime
Ancient, traditional mantra meditation
Easy and practical to implement in the modern world
Final thoughts
Spiritual practice among India’s youth is not a revival of an ancient religion – it is a contemporary awakening: characterised by self-care, digitalisation and a search for meaning. It combines healing and experience in the midst of a world that urgently needs both.
Modern, personal, meaningful – spirituality is being rediscovered.