Hindu doubt & spiritual struggle: when the Divine feels far

“Who verily knows and who can here declare it, whence it was born and whence comes this creation?” (Rig Veda 10.129.6).

The hymn ends: “he verily knows it, or perhaps he knows not” (Rig Veda 10.129.7). One of the oldest Hindu hymns leaves room for not knowing.

In the Katha Upanishad, the boy Nachiketa asks Yama, the lord of death: “There is this doubt regarding what becomes of a man after death. Some say he exists, others that he does not exist” (Katha 1.1.20).

Yama replies, “Even the Devas (Bright Ones) of old doubted regarding this. It is not easy to know” (Katha 1.1.21). Nachiketa keeps asking, and he is honoured for it.

“He who thinks he knows It not, knows It. He who thinks he knows It, knows It not” (Kena 2.3).

Many teachers read this as saying the Divine is bigger than any idea we hold. Not being sure can be a form of honesty, not a lack of faith.

“Learn thou this by discipleship, by investigation, and by service” (Gita 4:34).

And after teaching Arjuna, Krishna says: “having reflected on it fully, then act thou as thou listest” (Gita 18:63). Reflecting for yourself is part of the teaching.

This means inner conflict about how you understand the sacred: feeling angry at a higher power, abandoned, or punished.

In Hindu life it might sound like: “I did every puja and fast, and still this happened.” Or “Why won’t Bhagavan answer?” These feelings are common after loss, illness or long hardship.

Doubt struggles are about difficulty knowing whether religious or spiritual teachings are true.

You might question one teaching while holding on to others. You might love the festivals and the Gita but feel unsure about rebirth or a family custom. Hindu traditions have always held many views side by side.

Moral struggles happen when people feel their behaviour doesn’t fit their own values and beliefs. This can bring guilt or shame.

Hindu faith & mental health has a section on grace and a fresh start. If guilt feels endless and fearful, see “When doubt is driven by OCD” below.

These struggles are about your deepest purpose in life.

Hindu wisdom for hard times: dharma, karma yoga & inner steadiness explores dharma when life feels confusing.

These are conflicts with others around religious themes, relationships and leadership: feeling judged by a community, hurt by a leader, or at odds with family.

See “Doubt, family and community” below.

You don’t have to force big feelings. Some people keep one small habit through dry seasons: lighting the lamp, saying one Name, or touching the feet of elders. It keeps a thread open without demanding anything.

Others need a rest from practice for a while. Both choices are okay.

Losing interest in things you used to love, including worship, can be part of depression. If emptiness lasts most days for two weeks or more, talk with a doctor or counselor. Only a qualified professional can assess what is going on.

If one way of connecting feels closed, another may open. Someone who feels nothing in ritual might find meaning in studying the Gita, serving others, sitting in nature, or quiet meditation.

Hindu prayer & meditation for an anxious mind and Hindu practices for hard times describe many practices to try.

Some Hindus are deeply devotional. Some are drawn to philosophy and the Upanishads. Some mainly connect through festivals, food, family and music. Many mix all of these, and the mix changes over a lifetime.

Among Hindu Asian Americans, about one in three say religion is very important to them, and 38% say it is somewhat important.

Many Hindus find permission in this verse to think things through for themselves.

Your view may differ from your parents’, your temple’s or your friends’. You can hold it with respect for theirs.

Some people find their questions lead them to a new path or to no religion. This can bring grief, relief, fear of family reaction, or all of these.

The IOCDF warns that no amount of rumination, prayer or reassurance brings lasting relief from OCD doubt. It says, “Scrupulosity is not a faith problem; it is an OCD problem.”

It also says people can learn to accept uncertainty about their beliefs and still live a full life, and that treatment can help people practise their faith in a more value-driven way.

The IOCDF describes exposure and response prevention (ERP) as the gold-standard treatment for OCD. Its directory can help you find a trained therapist.

• Choose a calm, private moment
• Lead with what still matters to you, like family, festivals or values
• Share a question, not a verdict: “I’ve been wondering about…”
• Remind them that Arjuna and Nachiketa asked hard questions too
• It’s okay to take it slowly, one conversation at a time

You might still light the Diwali lamps or sit for a family puja because it matters to the people you love. Some people find this honest and meaningful. Others feel it is a pretence. You can decide what feels right for you, and it can change over time.

Doubt can come up in marriage, or when you love someone from another faith or none.

Prompts

• A question I am carrying is…
• What I miss is…
• What still feels true to me is…
• What I used to believe is…

The “My questions” worksheet below can help.

A swami, pujari, scholar or study group that welcomes questions can be a great help. A good teacher will not shame you for asking.

Even when you are unsure what you believe, you can still live by what you value: kindness, honesty, service, care for family. Many people find this steadies them through a season of doubt.

You don’t have to decide anything quickly. Questions can be lived with for months or years. Clarity, if it comes, often comes slowly.

• “Thank you for telling me. What are you wondering about?”
• “I may not have all the answers, but I want to listen.”
• “You are still part of this family, whatever you decide.”
• “Would you like to read or talk about it together?”

• “What will people say?”
• “You’ll get bad karma”
• “You’re just influenced by your friends”
• Threats to cut them off, or forcing rituals

If a loved one seems hopeless, withdrawn, or talks about not wanting to live, take it seriously. Ask them directly, stay with them, and help them call or text 988 (U.S.) or Tele-MANAS on 14416 (India).

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741
• Emergency: call 911 if a life is in danger

Tele-MANAS is India’s national mental health helpline, run by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Call 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, free, any time. You can choose your language.

The International Cultic Studies Association notes that in high-control groups, doubt and disagreement are discouraged and sometimes punished. Pressure to cut ties with family and friends is another warning sign.

A therapist does not need to share your beliefs to help you explore them safely. Hindu faith & mental health lists South Asian and Asian therapist directories, and When faith and therapy meet explains how to bring faith into therapy.

Find A Helpline (findahelpline.com) is a free directory of checked crisis lines in many countries.