Applying Hindu Wisdom to Our Oh-So-Many
Modern Teenage Challenges
By Aran Malhotra
Who am i? why am I this way? These questions surfaced in my early teens when I noticed my personality differed from my peers. I learned to accept what was out of my control and improve what I could. I didn’t feel as upset or stressed, often telling myself, “I am all right, right now.” I felt calm, confident and content—qualities many high schoolers aspire to but often struggle to attain.
Today’s competitive society demands focus, discipline and time management. High schoolers are constantly busy with classes, clubs, homework and the looming pressure of college applications. Many feel compelled to excel—not just academically but also in extracurriculars, often pursuing activities they aren’t passionate about, leading to burnout.
Social media and peer pressure add to the stress as teens try to fit in, be popular and keep up with trends. Balancing schoolwork, relationships and personal challenges can result in anxiety, frustration or depression. Many teens resort to distractions or harmful habits to cope, but problems often linger beneath the surface.
High school is a critical period for self-discovery, yet it’s easy to lose sight of personal identity and values. Observing my peers, I reflected on my ability to internalize challenges and not seek external validation. I wondered: how did I develop this resilience?
I believe it started with my upbringing in a devout Hindu family. From age three, I was encouraged to introspect daily for a number of minutes equal to my age—a practice I still follow. Regular pilgrimages to Kauai’s Hindu Monastery in Hawaii, where my parents are formal devotees, exposed me to Hindu philosophy and the disciplined life of the monks. Even as a child, I absorbed these teachings, though I didn’t fully understand them at the time.
In the summer of 2023, I spent a month at Kauai’s Hindu Monastery on a solo pilgrimage. Living among the monks, I witnessed their disciplined, minimalistic lifestyle rooted in Hindu principles like dharma (duty), karma (action), ahimsa (non-violence) and meditation. Despite their rigorous routines, the monks radiated positivity and calmness, exemplifying a soul-centered approach to life.
During this time, I realized how much my upbringing had shaped me. My emotional stability, strong values and distinct perspective on life stemmed from Hindu teachings. Yet, I saw I was far from the monks’ level of mindfulness. As one monk explained, young people often appear directionless, but those exposed to positive influences early in life tend to return to those values as they mature. Everyone is on a journey, learning and growing at their own pace.
At the monastery, I attended classes on Hindu philosophy, helped with daily tasks and explored scriptures like Living with Siva and Merging with Siva by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. This deepened my understanding of Hinduism and its practical applications. The experience brought an unparalleled sense of peace and purpose. I wished my friends back home could feel what I was experiencing.
In fall 2023, I started a Hindu Students Club (HSC) at my high school to explore Hindu values, celebrate festivals and promote cultural awareness. In 2024, I launched Hindu Tools for Teens (HTT), a blog and website sharing Hindu principles like dharma, karma and ahimsa as tools for life. Practices like yoga and meditation help students manage stress and find purpose.
HSC and HTT (hindutoolsforteens.org) inspire teens to lead values-driven lives, embracing love, honesty and non-violence while respecting all faiths. I hope to inspire others to create similar clubs.
About The Author
Aran Om Malhotra, 17, is an 11th-grade high school student from Chicago, Illinois, with a keen interest in Hindu philosophy, cars and sports