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Some time ago I began a meditation practice and study of Buddhism, which led to an interest in learning about India's culture and religions. Although I am engaged in Buddhism, I'm a practicing Catholic. These may seem like divergent paths but they both teach similar values. I'm curious about all religions. All the great religions are in harmony with truth. I'm often drawn to the question, What's calling me?
India is considered the land of spirituality and birthplace of religion-Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and the dominant religion in India with its pantheon of gods, goddesses. The population of India is 1.2 billion people and made up of 80% Hindu, 14% Islam, 2% Christian, 2% Sikh, 1% Buddhist, and 0.5% Jain. Visiting India has been a goal of mine for some time. Mark Twain once said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness, and many people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one's lifetime."
So, I decided to pursue my goal of learning more about India not just from books but first hand experience, and make a real connection with people in India. I traveled to Delhi, Amristar, Dharmasala, Simla, Chandigarh, Bikaner, Mandawa, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, and Bodhgaya, covering more than 5000 km's, by car, and a couple of flights. I immersed myself India's culture, and had many fascinating conversations with a lot of people. From my experience India could be described as a potpourri of many unique and interesting things; friendly people, chaotic, rich history, over population, vibrancy, optimism for a better future under Prime Minister Modi, Gandhi, Neru, independent, busy, beautiful monasteries, temples and shrines, mosques, Vedic rituals, brilliant colors, pashmina scarves, meditation and yoga, tourists, ancient holy cities, beautiful gardens, art, holy cities, ghats, Ganges River, Taj Mahal, birthplace of Buddhism, rickshaws, motor bikes, bargaining, beggars, bazaars and markets, leprosy, dust, heat, pollution, unsafe drinking water, air pollution, unsanitary rest rooms, asceticism, prayerfulness, unproductive workers, museums, music, poverty, crematoriums, animals everywhere, sacred cows, camels, boars, elephants, monkeys, traditions, Bhagavad Gita, caste system, rice fields, underpaid farm workers, Dharma, noise, arranged marriage, astrology, delicious cuisine, Dal, mo mo's, vegetarians, Kingfisher beer, spices and chi tea. Everyone I met radiated friendliness.
Pia Mollback Verbic, director of Quipper Research may have said it best,
Yes, India is !ncredible. I've always enjoyed being on the road. It has taught me much about life being away from home, but this journey to India was my greatest teacher, as it opened my eyes and gave me a broader perspective on life. It enabled me to see things so differently from what I had seen before and accustomed to. Its made me appreciate how fortunate I am being born in America with so many advantages and living in the beautiful state of Vermont with its fresh air, green mountains, orchards, fairs, corn-fields, country stores, ice cream, cheeses, beers, skiing, clean lakes and rivers, maple syrup, farms, horses, churches, chicken, cows, hearty people, quietness and rich most of all, the most of all the quality of life.
Life is a journey and this journey was filled with so much life.
This is the first blog, so I'm new at this. My intention was to post for my family and friends each day while in India, but because of poor Internet connection I was not able to do so. So, this is a historical view of my trip. I hope you'll find this interesting (Italics for emphasis are mine).
India is considered the land of spirituality and birthplace of religion-Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and the dominant religion in India with its pantheon of gods, goddesses. The population of India is 1.2 billion people and made up of 80% Hindu, 14% Islam, 2% Christian, 2% Sikh, 1% Buddhist, and 0.5% Jain. Visiting India has been a goal of mine for some time. Mark Twain once said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness, and many people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one's lifetime."
So, I decided to pursue my goal of learning more about India not just from books but first hand experience, and make a real connection with people in India. I traveled to Delhi, Amristar, Dharmasala, Simla, Chandigarh, Bikaner, Mandawa, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, and Bodhgaya, covering more than 5000 km's, by car, and a couple of flights. I immersed myself India's culture, and had many fascinating conversations with a lot of people. From my experience India could be described as a potpourri of many unique and interesting things; friendly people, chaotic, rich history, over population, vibrancy, optimism for a better future under Prime Minister Modi, Gandhi, Neru, independent, busy, beautiful monasteries, temples and shrines, mosques, Vedic rituals, brilliant colors, pashmina scarves, meditation and yoga, tourists, ancient holy cities, beautiful gardens, art, holy cities, ghats, Ganges River, Taj Mahal, birthplace of Buddhism, rickshaws, motor bikes, bargaining, beggars, bazaars and markets, leprosy, dust, heat, pollution, unsafe drinking water, air pollution, unsanitary rest rooms, asceticism, prayerfulness, unproductive workers, museums, music, poverty, crematoriums, animals everywhere, sacred cows, camels, boars, elephants, monkeys, traditions, Bhagavad Gita, caste system, rice fields, underpaid farm workers, Dharma, noise, arranged marriage, astrology, delicious cuisine, Dal, mo mo's, vegetarians, Kingfisher beer, spices and chi tea. Everyone I met radiated friendliness.
Pia Mollback Verbic, director of Quipper Research may have said it best,
"India is simply a minefield of relentless, emotional and daily challenges for most non-Indians, and nothing less than a riddle obstacle course, which can only be navigated with a hearty dose of humor, expansive capacity for patience, and tolerance for the illogical"
Life is a journey and this journey was filled with so much life.
This is the first blog, so I'm new at this. My intention was to post for my family and friends each day while in India, but because of poor Internet connection I was not able to do so. So, this is a historical view of my trip. I hope you'll find this interesting (Italics for emphasis are mine).
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