In India, Wonder And Reverence

September 15th, 2007 at 07:21pm Barbara Floria Orcutt 332

Lest you think I'm getting depressed, the tears of my response are more a sense of wonder and reverence, a feeling of being in the presence of the Divine -- even amidst the squalor. The contrasts of India are such that it's at once the poorest of countries but one that is filled with people who literally shine with their presence. I think my tears have to do with humility and a yearning to understand and be more like these folks who have so little, but are so rich in Spirit.    
     And yes, the interactions were so heartfelt and powerful. While in the Indira Gandhi museum three teenage girls struck up a conversation in halting English. We spoke for 20 minutes or so, I showed them the photos of my family, home and town that I always carry. Dozens of other people in the museum stopped to listen and watch. In the end, pictures were taken, we exchanged e-mail and mailing addresses and with hugs we promised to be in touch. Several other people who had just listened, extended their hands as well.
     Other meetings with people who spoke no English, but were powerful and warm include two ancient women on a ferryboat, who patted my arm and hugged me after I asked if I could take their picture and then showed it to them, and while visiting the homes of upperclass Indians saying "hello, how are you" to startled servants who are treated as being invisible. Several times I included these folks in group pictures I took, much to the chagrin and perhaps annoyance of our hosts.
     Among the things I consider important when traveling is to consider myself an emissary for my country and to consciously look for opportunities to connect, smile and touch. I owe a debt to Margie Hamlin's healing approach to beggars, which suggests offering acknowledgment of their humanity and being instead of money.

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