Old Vs New

ninaarora
Jun 14, 2023
3 min read

Last week my husband and I had a fantastic time attending a family wedding. It was celebrated with many of the same traditional elements of marriages that I have experienced my whole life, including my own wedding fifteen years ago (pictured below). Each time we go to one, I feel lucky to be part of a community of such rich culture and tradition. Events like these give us a sense of community and belonging, one the most universal cravings of human nature. It amazes me that many of the rituals performed during these ceremonies are the same ones that were practiced thousands of years ago, halfway across the world. Many of these practices stem from the same teachings that brought us both Yoga and Ayurveda. I feel a sense of connection to ancestors I know little about, knowing they too went through these same rituals.

While I can appreciate the beauty and sense of community these traditions bring, I also realize that passing them on blindly is extremely problematic. As we progress in time, its important to re-evaluate our values, and be intentional in letting go of parts of these systems that are harmful and oppressive. I am well aware that my life is profoundly different from the women even just one generation ahead of me. I was raised with the notion that I could choose my own life path, and given access to education to support my choices. These are gifts I received because of the time, place, and family of my birth. This of course is still not the norm everywhere, and two generations ago, this wasn’t the norm for women almost anywhere. Letting go of certain traditions is what got us here, and we still have quite a ways to go. It is foolish to blindly propagate systems without understanding the impact and improving as we grow. I think it's equally foolish to completely throw out generations of ancient wisdom and cultures without taking effort to understand where they come from. I feel the same way about medicine. I practice modern, evidence based dentistry and come from a family of modern physicians and scientists. I have experienced and witnessed the life saving marvels of modern healthcare. Simultaneously, I believe there is so much lost wisdom in ancient medical systems (Ayurveda being the oldest of them all), and we can gain tremendous benefit by learning and incorporating these practices into our lives, using discernment to consider which parts to take, and which to leave. The pull between the old and the new has always been a source of human conflict. When we make two sides (about anything) and attach our identity to one, we may develop blind spots about the downfalls of our own side, and loose out on all the benefits of the other. If we choose to detach our identity, we can start to take the best of both worlds. We can believe it's important to listen to modern scientists and the wealth of knowledge they have AND learn about ancient indigenous practices, using discernment to discover what is still relevant. We can take comfort and joy in celebrating momentous occasions by practicing the traditions of our families AND understand the importance in re-evaluating and evolving with time. Finding the exact right balance of old and new is likely an elusive goal. But if you’re feeling a little lost or stuck, here is an invitation to go in the opposite direction of your norm. So if you are someone who tends to maintain the status quo, perhaps it's time to look for a new perspective. And if you’re someone who is constantly looking to something new, maybe take some time to go back to your roots. Happy Searching Everyone :) Nina