Work in London

[Guest guest]

Dear list members

 

I was invited this morning to record an interview by a major

TV company in the UK. The four part documentary they are preparing is

entitled 'Sex and Religion'.

 

I would have preferred to talk on 'Science and Religion' as

that is my field of expertise but still agreed to participate in this

series.

 

Some of the questions would make anyone's 'skin curl'. I did not wish to

evade any issue and did my best to respond in the most honest manner.

 

I had to agree that Hinduism has a relaxed attitude towards sex

comapred to some of the other faiths but this does not mean

that it promotes a promiscious culture. I have made uncompromising

statements about the role of 'celibacy' as absolutely essential for

spiritual progress (even within marriage).

I was asked quite a few very prying and difficult questions.

Some qestions were linked to the Laws of Manu or the teachings

of the Kama Sutra -the devadasi system and Tantric rituals.

 

The series will use interviews with people from all the other faiths,

as well as from Historians, Anthropologists and Evolutionary

biologists. It, no doubt, will show a good mix of opinions and

generate a lot of interest.

 

At the end of the programme the producer told me that he was

impressed, as I had offered some unusual insights. I asked

him, " Will you use everything that you have recorded? "

He just smiled. There is a bit of a worry that some material that

is perhaps most relevant may end up in the cutting room!

 

I hope I have done justice to our mentor and given the most

appropriate answers. This series will be broadcast in the UK in

the early part of next year and no doubt will be seen by a vast number

of people in this country.

 

jay

Vivekananda Centre London