GERMAN GURU
When West Meets East
German Cedric Parkin becomes Om, a spiritual guru of the advaita stream
Suhit Kelkar, Times News Network. Times of India, Bombay Times, 28th Jan., 2004.
"Indian philosophy?" asks Cedric Parkin a.k.a. Om, a German spiritual guru of the
advaita stream. "I'd say its more like world philosophy, applicable to all of us." Adding that the West is becoming more spiritual, turning to Eastern philosopjies, particularly the Indian and Japanese Zen. "But it's very gradual. The response in Europe is more than in America. Mostly, the people who come are 50 years old."
Parkin has his own flourishing cottage industry of sorts — including a publishing company — a following across Europe, and very soon, an
ashram to be housed in a castle in Eastern Germany!
Parkin doesn't agree with the impression that Indian philosophy has only recently becoming popular. "It has been popular for decades, although it's more so now." And what about the Indian spiritual themes in Western culture? Parkin doesn't read much into the success of films such as the Matrix series, with their Vedantic themes. There were always Indian influences on popular culture, he opines.
Parkin is in Bombay with his wife, Sina Bernasconi, to conduct a series of
satsangs with around 70 foloowers at a resort, an annual event apparently. For now, he's just passing through Bombay, since the location is Mahabaleshwar, and says that he will be back in two weeks.
Parkin keeps coming to India. "My first visit was to Lucknow, in 1991, where I met my guru Poojya
ji. Then, I kept travelling and learning from different gurus. I maintain links with India," says the 42 year-old. On his latest trip to Bombay, Parkin finds an increased interest in spirituality, as well as the onrush of the 'mall and burger' culture. "Bombay's becoming westernised," he remarks. "I'm certain that you'll find the western psychological problems here as well." But, he adds, the Indian concern for the eternal verities will provide the safe net.