A land of endless lessons, India is a great teacher. While we go to her with specific questions, she delivers the answers we need—not those we necessarily want. She presents us with unexpected lessons that help us to burn through our karma and become more knowledgeable and aware—if we can open our minds and hearts to her teachings.
(You may be wondering, What are karma and destiny?)
In her thousands of years, India has been home to billions of seekers of Truth. All of her inhabitants aspire to attain moksha to some degree and this way of spirituality permeates throughout every village and city. It seems as if every other place is considered holy. Temple songs fill the silence, incense fills the air and worship pervades daily life. Everywhere and everything is sacred. All creatures are respected as reflections of the Self, from the lowliest rats and snakes to the highest gods and goddesses. Everyone and everything has its place. Karma has placed them exactly where they need to be in this moment.
(You may also be wondering, What is a sacred place?)
India is a great teacher of harmony. Despite her billion-plus individual souls continually moving through her crowded hustle and bustle, they make room for each other on the train. They squeeze together on buses so that everyone has a seat. They skillfully weave around each other on chaotic, laneless roads. They help strangers in need. They seem to all treat each other as brothers and sisters. They live in harmony, recognizing that they are all One.
Even India’s pollution and poverty are teachers. If we can open our eyes to what lies beyond the unattractive and unpleasant, we realize that beyond all beauty and all ugliness is Brahman, or Absolute Truth.
Beyond the lessons we learn by simply observing her inhabitants, India delivers the individual lessons we need to receive. No trip to India is without learning. She helps us break through our karma through spiritual awareness and spiritual knowledge.
We can take away from India as much as we’re willing; she has the capacity to help us transform.