Finding balance through faith: Hinduism and one ASU Student’s college journey

The college experience for Ritika Anand at Arizona State University has become more than just a journey of learning; it has also become a journey of spirituality. While Hinduism was part of her life before entering ASU, she did not spend time learning about the religion. Once she entered college, this changed.

“I almost feel like before college, I was just experiencing Hinduism and not really actively learning about it,” Anand said. When faced with stressful situations on campus, Anand found solace in reading the Bhagavad Gita and lessons that helped her view them in a different light.

“In it, there are so many lessons on how to manage the daily stresses of life, and I really think that helped me navigate my most stressful days,” she said. 

Unlike some religious views that see stressful situations as things to be avoided, Anand says Hinduism offers a sense of perspective and lessons on how these situations can help one become who they are meant to be.

One philosophy that Anand has found particularly grounding is Karma Yoga, which emphasizes sincere effort without becoming attached to the outcome. 

“The idea of focusing on sincere effort without obsessing over the results really reduces anxiety and keeps me steady,” she said. 

In the midst of exams and deadlines, this philosophy has been particularly useful for Anand. 

Beyond personal practice, Hindu traditions have also helped to create a sense of belonging within ASU. Celebrations such as Diwali and Holi have become a way to connect not only with other Indian American students but also with other students. 

“It really helped me find a community for those events that were such a key part of my childhood,” she said. “The presence of different cultural groups attending and celebrating with her made it even more special. It really felt like living in harmony.”

Despite all these positive aspects of practicing Hinduism in a university setting, there are challenges associated with it. One of the challenges faced by Hindu students in university is timing. Anand said that, “Major festivals like Diwali, Navratri or Holi often fall during midterms, projects or evening classes,” which makes it hard to choose between celebrating these festivals and attending to class.

At its essence, Anand realizes that Hinduism offers a powerful opportunity to promote understanding and acceptance. Rather than denouncing other belief systems, Hinduism encourages coexistence. 

“God doesn’t have bias from wherever you pray, whether it’s a temple or a church,” Anand said. 

As Anand tries to strike a balance among her academic, personal and identity-related pursuits, Hinduism has been a guiding light in managing stress and in remaining open to relationships and connections with people of different cultures and backgrounds. 

In a university as large as ASU, Anand’s experience shows that religion, in addition to providing a sense of grounding and identity, can also serve as a bridge to connect with others of different backgrounds and foster a harmonious, unified sense of belonging.

To continue to explore Interfaith Harmony Week, check out Kenneth Sheet’s and Simra Maheen’s stories!