Maria Wirth is a German writer who came to India after finishing her psychology studies at Hamburg University. She visited the Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in April 1980 where she met seers like Anandamayi Ma and Devaraha Baba. Wirth says that with their blessings, she continued to live in India. She dived into India’s spiritual tradition, sharing her insights with German readers through articles and books. She is also the author of the book ‘Thank You India: a German Woman’s Journey to the Wisdom of Yoga’. The Pioneer spoke to her about her experiences and beliefs.
How and why did you end up staying in India longer than planned after arriving here for a stopover in 1980?
Soon after landing in India, I came across the book “Jnana Yoga” by Swami Vivekananda and it made a big impression on me. Swamiji basically says that we are mistaken if we think that we are a small person in a big world, because our essence is one with Brahman. Divinity is within us. This was a revelation for me because I had learnt that god is separate from us and frankly, I had already lost faith in that concept of god. But, intuitively I felt that there must be some higher power. So this idea that god is within made sense and I wanted to learn more. I was lucky to meet Devraha Baba and Anandamayi Ma at the Ardh Kumbh in April 1980 in Haridwar. I mentioned to Devraha Baba that I would like to stay longer. A sadhu translated that Baba gives me his special blessing. He stressed ‘special’. Meanwhile 38 years have passed and I consider his blessing really special and am very grateful.
You often visit Haridwar and Rishikesh. Are you fascinated by this river of faith-the Ganga?
It took me some time to feel that Ganga Ma is alive. For Indians, it is natural. You hear it from childhood that Ishwar permeates everything. Yet we in the west hear that all is dead matter, only in humans the brain created consciousness. The west got it wrong, your Rishis got it right and scientists are slowly discovering it. It is said in your texts that Ganga flowed in Brahmaloka. Is the Milky Way the heavenly Ganga? Our present universe is billions of years old. I feel we should not claim that we know all that happened since the Big Bang.
What inspired you to write your latest book ‘Thank You India’?
It is for the first time that I wrote a book in English language. The reason is that I wanted to share also with Indians, not only Germans, why I am so grateful to India. Unfortunately I cannot write in Hindi, but this book may get translated. I feel many Indians are not aware what they have inherited from the Rishis– profound wisdom, Yoga, Sanskrit, and so much more. The British wanted Indians to lose the connection with tradition and they were quite successful. Many of the educated class now look down on Hindu Dharma. So, I wanted to share with those Indians, who lost their connection, my meetings with gurus, reflections about god, love, death, rebirth, experiences and also my impressions of ‘modern’ India while showing that the light of wisdom still shines in this vast, beautiful and ancient land.
What is your view on being seen as some as an ambassador of Indian culture?
As I know Christianity as an insider, I can compare the dogmatic religions with Hindu Dharma and can see clearly why Hindu Dharma is so great. We in the west were threatened by eternal hellfire if we didn’t believe what the church said. But more and more people are now getting out of such narrow-mindedness. Actually many turn to Hindu Dharma. I just attended a conference on India’s soft power in Delhi and several foreigners were there, some even fluent in Sanskrit, who proudly said that they are Hindus.
What is your message to the youth of India who are attracted to western culture?
It is alright, if you like to wear jeans though you will suffer in the Indian summer. But, please do not follow the west in matters of attitude towards life. We are lost there, life feels empty. Enjoyment alone does not satisfy. You will gain strength and happiness only if you have a connection to Bhagwan within you, if you develop trust and love for your Ishta Deva, if you do your duty.