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New Delhi: Did your mother ever put a black tika behind your ear before an exam, interview or important family event? Or did your grandmother caution, “Nazar lag jayegi,” whenever something good happened? For millions of Indians, rituals involving black threads, salt, prayers and small protective practices were simply woven into everyday life.
For years, many dismissed these customs as superstition. Today, however, conversations around the evil eye, energy protection, crystals, aura cleansing and spiritual boundaries have moved into the mainstream. From social media influencers to wellness communities, more people-especially younger generations-are exploring ideas that were once considered old-fashioned beliefs.
According to spiritual teacher Dr Manmit Kumarr, this shift reflects a deeper change in how people understand emotional wellbeing, personal boundaries and the impact of their surroundings.
Experts believe people are becoming increasingly aware of how different environments, situations and relationships affect their emotional state.
As Dr Kumarr explains, not every interaction leaves a person feeling the same. Some people inspire confidence, motivation and peace, while others leave individuals feeling emotionally drained, mentally exhausted or overwhelmed.
“Not every energy around you is meant for you to carry. Spiritual protection is not fear. It is awareness,” he says.
Many people today are beginning to pay closer attention to these experiences and are seeking ways to protect their emotional wellbeing.
The concept of nazar, often referred to as the evil eye, has existed in Indian culture for centuries.
Children were protected with black dots, homes displayed sacred symbols and rituals involving salt, smoke and prayers were commonly performed to ward off negative influences. These practices were rooted in the belief that thoughts, emotions and intentions carry energy.
“Envy is energy. Hatred is energy. Obsession is energy. Attention itself is energy,” says Dr Kumarr.
While modern psychology may interpret such experiences through social influence, emotional contagion and behavioural patterns, many spiritual traditions continue to view them through the lens of energetic exchange.
One reason for the growing interest in energy protection may be the realities of modern living.
According to Dr Kumarr, earlier generations benefited from slower routines, stronger community ties and greater connection with nature. In contrast, modern lifestyles are marked by constant digital engagement, information overload and increasing emotional pressure.
“Humanity has become energetically overstimulated. And the soul is now demanding protection,” he says.
As people juggle work pressures, social expectations and an always-connected digital world, many are searching for ways to feel grounded and emotionally secure.
Dr Kumarr believes one of the most misunderstood aspects of spirituality is the concept of boundaries.
He describes Maa Kali not as a symbol of destruction, but as a representation of truth, awakening and discernment. In his view, spiritual growth often involves learning to identify which people, environments and situations nourish one's wellbeing and which ones create emotional strain.
A spiritually aware person may begin to recognise:
At that point, setting boundaries becomes less about rejecting others and more about protecting one's mental and emotional health.
From evil eye bracelets and crystal collections to manifestation rituals and energy-cleansing practices, spiritual tools are becoming increasingly popular across wellness circles.
Yet, Dr Kumarr points out that these practices are far from new. Ancient Egyptians used protective symbols, Tantric traditions relied on yantras and mantras, and cultures around the world have long used rituals to seek protection, clarity and inner balance.
The growing fascination with nazar, crystals and energy protection appears to reflect something deeper than a passing social media trend.
For many people, these practices represent a desire to feel grounded, emotionally balanced and protected in a world that often feels fast-paced and overwhelming.
According to Dr Kumarr, spiritual protection is ultimately not about fear or superstition—it is about awareness. And perhaps that is why conversations about energy, boundaries and emotional wellbeing are resonating with more people today than ever before.
