Our General Store: Opening my eyes

India- I came looking for food. I found it in abundance; and so much more!

Since my last trip, fours years ago, I have been trying to verbalize how India makes me feel. As a country and culture it has affected me on so many levels.

It is a paradoxical country. India is an ancient society- its language, religion, food culture, history. YET it also seems very young in numerous ways. The Indians have a childish nature to their energy.

Some parts of India are in an economic boom. In every situation, from the line ups at the train station to the shop-keepers anticts to grab your attention, there is a motivation to survive. In the West we do not experience 'the survival of the fittest' in such a way. I was amazed at the energy of the many Indian entrepeneurs. For most of them there are no free rides, they have to develop their businesses quickly and industriously.

And yet it is still an underdeveloped nation. There is so much poverty. The streets are laden with garbage and people living in shacks. Millions of people, in certain castes, will never make it out of the depths of the crushing weight of overpopulation.

What brings these extreme natures, modern development in some sectors and extreme poverty in most cases? I thought about this. Why was there something uniquely Indian about all of the diverse people that I met on my travels?

Indians have retained their simple spirits. They trust their 'kidspace' and cherish many juvenile tendencies. I found it so refreshing to see them play with each other...young and old. Wonder and delight....was all around...even among the garbage piles!

To some travellers this backwards part of the country is too off-putting or just too different a reality to relate to.

I was definitely more in this mode when I travelled the country years before. I saw the extreme differences in the environment as a barrier to really opening up. I was overwhelmed by what I saw.

When I left a month and a half ago I felt like this time would be different. I chose to attempt to really meet everyone I came into contact with. Whether they were an upper class businessman/woman, beggar on the street, shopkeeper, ticket collector, fellow train passenger, children playing on the beach, upscale socialite. Everyone had a story and a different energy. Because I was alone I found it easier to spend the time and make the choice to be open to listening.

I digress to explain.....to get a little personal (need to so that I can explain my thoughts)...I had a difficult year last year. I lost my focus and my spirit seemed weighed down by my own expectations and disappointments. Apparantly I needed to go into this place, a lonely place of introspection, that would enable me to climb up higher.

When I arrived in India I chose to open my eyes and live. What did I have to loose? I promised myself to chew each moment- completely- letting the flavor move through my senses before thinking of the next bite.

I believe that we all have an inner energy that promotes our own unique being. Unfortunately, as I experienced last year, many situations (in our WEstern culture...and fast-paced lifestyle) dampen our awareness of what is simple and beautiful. India was the perfect place to release and be honest- with myself.

Each day I met a new part of myself and in turn I trusted others more. New opportunities kept arising and instead of ignoring them I followed my instincts.

On one of my last days I met a really wise man sitting on the steps in Hampi. His eyes were gentle and calm. I could feel his openess. Although he was silent he seemed to be generating a good feeling all around him. I sat down next to him. We were both silent for a while. Then I started to talk to him......he shared a lot with me, I listened instead of trying to interupt and constantly give my perspective.

I will always remember what he said when I left.

"The more we take the less we become. As we give we let go and trust- this is when we can cross into the peaceful moment of now."

Thank you India.....I will not forget...I will return...but for now I am here with me for the first time in a while.

3 Comments

Hola from PTY! I have traveled all my life...Thank G_d for the gift. Now...if there is a place I would like to visit is INDIA, BUTAN next. After reading your post I can`t wait. There are so many reasons, I just have to go there :) I`ll keep you posted. Thanks for sharing with Us your adventures...

Posted by: pty_cooking_diva | December 22, 2004 at 09:10 AM

Hey,
Thank you!,Why Thank you?, well you got to read down :).

I am from India, I was completely lost in my work and confused about various things professionally.I am those fortunate educated indians and things are pretty easy for me, but oflate I started questioning the way things stand, I was wondering may be I should fly to United states as rest of my colleagues to work in those Telecom software projects & settle down there , in essense I forgot the beautifull life arround me, that is called India and how to see what it contains,thanks for the beautifull article and perspective about india.

What I got from your article is an option to look deeper may be travel more across my own country, experience the life and start writing, may be I missed out on writing. which you elaborately and greatly put in your experiences of india.

I usually dont post, but you seem to be at the same wavelength as I am in terms veiwing life and learning from it.

Nice to find your blog.

Aravind
India, Hyderabad.

Posted by: Aravind | December 27, 2004 at 01:20 AM