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| Buddhist Temple outside Varanasi (Sarnath) |
Many people come to India on a spiritual quest. However, that was not my primary reason for coming here. I came for a new and exciting job teaching at the American Embassy School, and out of curiosity for this country that has always intrigued me. Yet, there is no escaping a presence of deep and enduring spirituality in all walks of life, every economic strata, and in everyday occurrences.
Indian people believe that religion, despite the differences in practices and theology, is essential to a family's and the society's well-being. A day does not go by when an ordinary person will share a spiritual lesson or insight.Two days ago I was having lunch with a co-worker, Deepa (born and raised in India). She reminded me that behind a smile needs to be positive thoughts and actions that are synchronized. A great discussion ensued about how to make this happen in our daily lives.Thanks, Deepa.
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| Shrine along a trail in the Himalayas |
I remember in my youth growing up in a very U.S. east coast town with many Italian Catholics. As a Methodist, I often thought that the little shrines that I encountered here and there were tacky and intrusive. Now in India, when I pass a place of prayer, I smile and often take the time to send out positive thoughts.
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| Niraj, cooking up some herbs |
Niraj began coming to my home months ago, first to teach yoga, but now to use his homeopathic remedies to soothe aging joints and improve my general well-being. He is from Nepal, but has lived in India for nine years in a one-room apartment with his lovely wife, one year old daughter, and soon new baby. Niraj works at a naturopathic office during the day, but then works late into the evening teaching private yoga and giving treatments. I've rarely seem him rattled or stressed. He loves to do "laughing yoga" and always imparts some words of wisdom. I was complaining to him about being "cheated" by a taxi driver on Monday. He simply looked at me and said, "God sees".
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| AES sangha group |
Early in the year I joined a small sangha group at AES that meets once a week. The group is a mixture of mostly Americans from all religious backgrounds. We practice the breathing and meditation techniques as taught by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk. I always wanted to learn about the benefits of meditation, but never could quite quiet my "monkey brain" for more than a few seconds. Thanks to these wonderful people, I have learned to be calm and quiet for at least an hour a week!
Driven to learn more about breathing and meditation, I signed up for an intensive six-day workshop called The Art of Living Course 1. The Art of Living Foundation is based on the teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a universally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader. I was challenged to learn silence in a way that I never knew was possible. Again, an amazing unexpected gift.
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| Mother and daughter |
So as I prepare to leave India for the summer, I want to say thank you to every person who shared a smile and/or a simple spiritual lesson with me. Blessings abound....
