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Published: July 15th 2008
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Siddhartha set out on his journey. He had been kept sheltered for a long period of time by his father, locked away in a palace and unaware of all of suffering that occurs on this Earth. One day, Siddhartha knew he had to set out and actually she what was occurring. He journeyed and came back knowing what reality was and what he must do. He gave up his posh lifestyle, became a monk, meditated, spoke with others, and reached enlightenment under a tree in India. He became the Buddha. Thousands of years later, Christine and I set out on a journey as well. We wanted to see what was one part of the world was actually like, to understand a different culture and perspectives, to help out in a minor way, and to meditate and learn along the way.
Unlike Siddhartha's journey, we started by raising money. We knew there was suffering and wanted to be of assistance, even modestly. Our friends, family, and colleagues really gave from the heart and we raised more money than we ever expected to. We had originally set a goal of $500. We organized the Hunger Banquet, learned that 50% of the world lives on less than $900 per year, received great contributions from our sponsors Clay Pit and Swat, and raised over $3000.
I had at the same time began my journey to understand a new culture. I began yoga and studied Hindi. In book club, we read "God of Small Things." At our "Bailey's and Bengali Nights," Christine and I read about India, studied Bengali, and planned a journey over a coffee cocktail. The trip would start in Delhi, continue to Bombay, on to Goa, and end with our work in Kolkata.
Over a year in the making, we finally embarked on our voyage, June 22, 2008. With an extremely tight connection, I met Christine in Chicago and we excitely traveled to Delhi together. The first days of our trip were spent in survival mode in many ways. We tried to learn a bit about the cities, do some interesting things, and really just get the feel of this new world. Like Siddhartha, we had never experienced the world in this way, especially the suffering. People with no legs or legs twisted beyond functionality would come up to us and beg. It was hard to deal with such suffering when we had originally come to help. We knew some are scams, but still gave the requisite ten ruppees (a quarter) as what else can you do? We talked to some--almost ran from others. And all the time, we were thinking about this. How lucky we are. We can walk. We can travel. We are so rich.
We learned a lot about other religions. Before, Hinduism to meant meant a polydeistic relgion that believed in reincarnation and worshiped cows. Christine and I spoke about the differences between Hinduism and Buddhism. We learned how Hinduism was much more complex with different avitars of its principle dieties. Hinduisim also really sees Christianity and Islam more as sects of religion, versus the religion themselves. These "sects" often corner people and regions against each other. Hinduism tries to bring them together in a larger, less rigid religious structure.
We got accustomed to the head "bobble" Indians often perform, meaning "not quite yes / not quite no" and caught ourselves doing this from time to time. We we did not understand a certain cultural behavior or when we did not know what to do, we would look at each other and bobble our heads, knowing that we would just see what would happen. You just cannot always know where a day would take you.
We started using our Hindi and Bengali. I counted from 1 to 20 with my partner in my game of catch. Christine reviewed the colors with her burn victim. I asked people if they needed water.
We read. We read about someone else's trip to India. An Australian woman who had similar experiences and who had recorded some of her own frustructions in "Holy Cow." We read about how Buddha was enlightened in "Buddha" and how a man helped build schools in this region of the world in "Three Cups of Tea." We read about modern India and cricket in "3 Mistakes of My Life."
The trip didn't really get easier, but we did get used to the situation. We learned to ignore the beggars on the street. We told ourselves that we were going to be assisting in another way; we were doing our best. We gave the donations in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata at Mother Theresa's various houses. We were excited as we headed out our first day to volunteer at our chosen house, Prem Dan.
We learned yoga. We relaxed.
And at the end, a bug bite kept me from reaching enlightenment. Well, not exactly. I developed an allergic reaction to an insect bite, which kept me from going to see where Siddhartha was enlightened. Bodha Gaya is my missed destination on this trip. Instead, I headed to the Kolkata Hospital to see a doctor on my breakout. I stayed in Kolkata in order to be close to medical care. I planned a slightly early return.
So I didn't see where Siddhartha meditated and became the Buddha. However, I have now my own experiences to reflect upon. I've done so some in this blog, some in conversation with my travel partner, some in dreams. And I know I'll continue to think and refine my thinking. As I have really learned a number of things from this trip. Some I can name. Some I can try to describe but will do so poorly. Some are more internal. And some will continue to reveal themselves in the coming weeks and months.
Life is indeed suffering. The Buddha originally stated this and it is so true. We can never predict the different suffering we will go through or what we might see. And therefore, we need to enjoy the good and appreciate the bad. Bad is really only relative. Some people would love to be in our version of "suffering." And really, if we release some of our desires, if we can "want what we have," life can be a lot more enjoyable.
Not to take life so seriously! There are a lot of things that I get so tied up into that really just do not matter. Letting go of some of these items allows me to relax more and enjoy more. I learned to go a bit slower and enjoy the trip through life--versus trying to rush through it all the time.
I learned to go for depth of experience. What I mean by this is to try to go more slowly, think about things, discuss things, and really understand them and not try to just do something because it is time to do something. Wisdom will come from depth of experience--not from just finishing off a checklist. And what's that checklist for anyway? Time to reevaluate.
Do a little bit to make a difference is not so hard! Any of us could do this as a part of our monthly routine. Volunteer at a local institution. Have a more indepth conversation with a needy person. Spend one day of your vacation giving back.
Enlightenment? I'm glad the Buddha could reach it. There's really a lot to learn in this world, out of this world, and inside oneself. And I wish us all peach as we go in these searches throughout our coming years.
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Janet
non-member comment
In awe
I know it is the world that I should be in awe of. People who live in suffering that I cannnot imagine and they live anyway! They love and worship God and give thanks for their meager lot. Hoping that the next life will bring just a little less suffering. We all deserve it and so few of us have comforts and security. I saw poverty in China that had me grateful but I was merely a tourist. I did not descend into depths and give what I could. When a reporter asked Mother Theresa how she thought she was going to change the world all by herself, she smiled and said, "one person at a time." Is that enlightenment? I know it is the world that I should be in awe of. Yet I am in awe of the two of you for going when you had a choice and giving even though it hurt. Thank you for bringing it back to me in your stories and your friendship. Let us comfort you and bring you back and we will all gain strength to continue what you have begun. I love you both, janet