Are you superstitious?
The pervasive influence of superstition on individuals and society is harmful. Unfounded beliefs lead to irrational behaviour and hinder personal growth. The tragic incident in Buradi, Delhi, is one where a family’s adherence to occult practices led to their demise. Superstitions are often rooted in baseless and illogical beliefs that are detrimental. Shifting towards rational thinking is healthy. Overcoming superstition through education and a scientific mindset is crucial for mental well-being and societal progress.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Superstition harms individuals and society by promoting irrational behavior and hindering personal growth.
- The Buradi incident highlights the dangers of unfounded beliefs, leading to a tragic outcome for a family.
- Shifting towards rational thinking and scientific understanding is essential for mental well-being and societal progress.
- Superstitions often stem from fear and compounded misconceptions, affecting not just individuals but those around them.
- To combat superstition, we must embrace education, logic, and a change in perspective, as these are crucial for overcoming harmful beliefs.
Introduction
He was to attend an interview. Instead of being enthusiastic, he was restless because of a fictitious cause. The interview was on a day he did not feel auspicious. He was worried because he considered the day unlucky. Instead of self-believing, he was suspicious about his success.
Unfounded belief
He was not alone. Many people ail with this syndrome. It is a superstition which hampers daily lives. Such people used to consult a prognosticator and an almanack before taking up a journey. They stop or halt their work when they hear someone sneeze or call them from behind. The deep-seated, unfounded beliefs hamper the normal lives of the people. It sometimes also affects those who are with them.
(a) Old wives’ tale
Needless to say that an old wives’ tale is illogical and unreasonable. It has no sound footing but is a troublesome heresy. People tame it because of their blind belief, and sometimes as tradition.
Brain vs mind
The human brain is a complex organ that controls the entire body, including thoughts and actions. Mind and brain are often used interchangeably; there is a difference. While the brain is an organ with different parts, the mind is intangible. Latter encompasses emotions and thoughts. The brain transmits messages in the form of electrical impulses through neurons. The stimuli and their reaction are swiftly transmitted in nanoseconds for a response to be expressed. It is thoughts which create many things which control and guide the behaviour of a person.
(a) Positive and negative thoughts
Thoughts play an important role in shaping an individual’s identity. Positive thinking is crucial. Using logic and prudence are also important traits. These traits lead a person to the betterment of the individual. This, in turn, benefits society. Negativity, on the other hand, is the darker side of the personality that leads to superstitious convictions. Superstitious people not only harm themselves but also cast a Halloween aspersion on a section of society.
(b) Dogma
Fear, hallucination and paranormal activities are the various aspects of superstition. A weak mind is the breeding ground for them. They try to annex lousy and unscientific thoughts with religion and God. Dogmatically believing people, though they look normal, are weak from the inside. Amalgamated with cupidity and the wish to have more, people unconsciously push themselves into the dark den of illusion. Conjuring, sorcery and witchcraft become part of their lives.
(c) Obstinate attitude
Obdurate behaviour strengthens unfounded cannibalistic thoughts, gnawing on the mind and body. In that case, the mind remains engrossed in baseless beliefs and occult practices. At times, it becomes horrendous and converges into a horrific incident. It came to light in a house at Buradi (Delhi), several years ago, in July 2018.
Incident Layering
Superstitions are the outcome of the layering of an incident that leads to a particular result, good or bad. The human mind has an inclination towards suspense or paranormal activities. It attaches itself to murky incidents, creating a bogey of a phantom. Mischievous people try to use this to their advantage. Week people start beeline for fake godmen and sorcery. The Buradi incident was the outcome of such a weak mentality and blind adherence to cult practices.
(a) Fateful morning
It was a normal morning in Buradi (Delhi). The oblivious people of the area were about to start their day. One of the neighbours noticed that Bhatia had not come for a walk. His grocery shop, which usually opened at 5:00 AM, was not open. The curious neighbour entered the house, which was open, and was aghast to see the horrible scenario inside. (The Economic Times)
(b) Horrific
Eleven people belonging to a family were hanging from the roof rails like prop roots of a Banyan tree. Hands were tied on their back, faces were covered, and their mouths were crammed with clothes. It was divulged that the whole family followed an occult practice. All eleven people were hecatomb on the altar of superstition. Their unfounded belief was that they would get their desires by doing so. It led them to commit what they must not. Seven years back, I had written a piece. My readers may like to visit that post by clicking here.
Superstition is unreasonable
Superstition is not factual. It varies from person to person and from faith to faith; often linked with religious belief. Generally, a belief of a religion is considered unfounded and ridiculed by the other. It is passed on to generations to become a psyche. People consider it sacrosanct and unchangeable. Broadly speaking, a superstition is unscientific and illogical. Looking at a broken mirror, for example, is considered ill or a bad omen. Psychologically speaking, superstitions are like a panacea which relieves the brain and makes it comfortable. Unfounded beliefs created to force people to adhere to a particular deed or thing.
(a) Belief and superstition
There is a thin line between belief and superstition. While belief is linked with faith and can have a positive effect, superstition is unfounded and leads to unreasonable behaviour. Our primogenitors taught something good, which became a tradition in the long run. A logical action wrapped in a religious custom is not superstition. Watering a Ficus tree, for example, is considered auspicious and a good luck charm by a section of society. It is considered unfounded and superstitious by some and pooh-poohed by heretics. Nonetheless, a closer look reveals its importance. Watering a plant is beneficial in more than one way.
(b) Fictional thoughts
Some beliefs are born out of a figment of imagination. The fictional thought, when left unabated, grows fast like weeds and sucks the fertility of the brain. People of this kind have been termed as ailing with syndromes. Their beliefs are their conviction. They don’t want to mend their ways come what may. Their pervicacious behaviour causes difficulties to others besides ruining their own lives.
(c) Compulsive behaviour
The compulsive behaviour seen in people is largely because of hardened beliefs that are unscientific and unfounded. Though in psychology, Compulsiveness is not a disease. In psychology, it is considered an ailment. It is the thought process. The irrational and unmindful sticking to unproductive thoughts is derogatory. Compulsive behaviour is also a type of superstition that becomes an integral part of one’s life. If left unattended takes a heavy toll on the quality of life and mental peace.
(d) Unwise
Electroplating false beliefs, compulsive behaviours or superstitions with tradition and culture is derogatory and harmful to society and individuals. It is unwise to stick to unholy practices and unfounded faiths in the garden of religious practices and faith.
Perspective change
A change in perspective is essential. The compulsive action due to the overpowering of derogatory thoughts is not unconquerable. Reconditioning of the mind to control compulsive thoughts and actions is possible by diligent practice. A callous attitude towards others’ problems expresses indifference. Additionally, defending insanity by exemplifying it strengthens a vicious thought process. Instead of eradicating the weeds, it helps in their proliferation.
Scientific approach
Religion is a scientific code of conduct. In “Van Parva” of the great epic Mahabharat, the eldest Pandava brother, Yudhisthir, answered questions of the Yaksha. Answering one question, he says that what one owns is Dharma (Religion). Doing duty and observing the path of righteousness is the Dharma. Bigotry and rigid attitudes are unscientific and against the spirit of religious faith. It is open to change and accepting scientific thoughts, and adopting them as tradition. Camouflaging unreasonable actions and unfounded beliefs with faith is demeaning and needs rethinking.
In the end
Superstition is the enemy of human beings. It harms in more than one way. The effective weapon to defeat it is rational thinking and prudence. It is unfruitful to tame unreasonable superstition and compulsive thoughts which give nothing but pain and dejection. The sooner, the better, lest it is too late.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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