I think you are spot on about the false sort of romanticism of westerners towards eastern, and particularly, indian spirituality.

Many people are disilusioned about western civilisation, don't realy feel they are a part of it, and choose to isolate themselves from it.

They dream of a better world that is supposed to be out there, that is more spiritual and in balance with nature. But that world is a mirage, a fantasy.

I personally do not believe that rejecting the world you happen to live in, is the answer. In my view there is something fundamentally wrong with that attitude.

I don't mean to judge. I very often feel the same way. But i have come to realise that if i choose to go with those feelings, i am only cultivating my own victimhood and powerlessness.

By accepting that you are a part of society, with all it's obvious flaws, you also accept your own responsibilities.

And i find that by taking responsibility, even though i am way too small and incompetent to fix all the flaws of this world, at least i lead a better life, than when i am dodging responsibility by pretending i have nothing to do with all these people i live with.

I would realy love it if india indeed, would be that wonderfully spiritual place that people believe it is. But unfortunately you don't exactly need to look very hard to see that it realy isn't. They are every bit as materialistic and superficial as we are.