The Distortion of Culture

In the constant process of renewal, reinterpretation, and re-contextualization that characterize American popular culture, outside influences are appropriated to renew and refresh the stories we tell. When these cultural influences come from East in the form of the “Oriental Monk” character, they also help to reassure an “American consciousness plagued by the demands of modernity” (Iwamura). Eastern spirituality, represented by the Dalia Lama and Buddhism, becomes something Western culture latches on to resolve its spiritual confusion. Thus appropriated, these become “ideological caregivers” for the West, tasked with “function mainly as a resource” to “salve the insecurities” of our society (Iwamura).

This has positive impacts for Western society, but the act of appropriation has negative effects on the appropriated culture. The embrace of the Dalia Lama and the Tibetan cause seems to reflect positively on the West, which is showing support for a threatened way of life. But that disguises America’s role, through economic and political ties to China, in allowing the destruction to occur. Our embrace of Buddhism and Tibet allows us to outwardly show support without making any real effort to help.  Yoga is embraced as a cure to the spiritual emptiness of a consumer culture, but has been completely distorted by capitalist society. Yoga maintained its guise of spiritual fulfillment while becoming a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Eastern culture and spirituality become an easy tool for Westerners seeking spiritual fulfillment, who often don’t bother to learn anything about the context from which they came.