I suppose it's about time I finish my last post about India! I have started getting some of my film back so you will see a few of those shots here, as well as my thoughts over the last month of being home. When I was getting ready to leave India, Emily, Becca and myself were conversing one day and Emily said to us 'what do you think you learned here? And how are you going to apply it when you get home?' From that moment I began to think about my experience and what exactly it was that I learned. Since I've been home I have continued to ponder on what I learned and how I changed, and how those changes are being applied in my life now.
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| worshipping the tree where Buddha achieved enlightenment at Bodh Gaya |
There is so much I learned in India that I'm sure I couldn't possibly put it all into words or on paper. But I have been thinking about all of these lessons and experiences that I had, and I decided to make a list of all of the things I could think of that I learned during my 4 months on the other side of the world. Many of them I already knew or had already learned and was simply reminded, others I had wanted to learn and understand but never had been able to understand before, and others were totally new to me. I learned these things through many different ways... Through conversation, observation, reading and study, experiences, prayer, contemplation and reflection. And I am ever so grateful for each of these lessons I have learned because they have made me a new person.
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| meditating monks |
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| on the beach in Vizag... double exposure |
So here it is..... What did I learn in India?
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| at the market in Vizag |
I learned how incredible the human race is. The fact that I am absolutely in love with people was reiterated and I learned even more so that each person is of equal value, and contains an incredible divinity and light within themselves.
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a Jalree boy, he was fishing at Rushikonda beach and came and visited with us for awhile
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| meditating monks at Bodh Gaya |
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| on the river in Rajahmundry |
I learned what the difference is for me in loving someone versus being in love with someone, and I learned that I want to feel both for the person that I marry one day.
I learned what is required in order for me to be in love with someone and I learned that the ability to have complete unity as a couple is one of those things
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| A pathway in the gardens of the Taj Mahal. A great place of learning for me |
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| typical flower garlands, used for worship and to show respect--Bodh Gaya |
I learned the importance of being healthy in all aspects of life and I found within myself a great desire to do this. I learned that the reason behind striving for health is important.. That for me, it had to be a sincere reason and not a shallow reason. I learned that I want to be healthy in order to be my best self, reach my potential, and serve others and have the ability to do all that God has in store for me. I learned that I have to choose to be healthy for me, and not because anyone else tells me I should or because I think that people will perceive me differently if I am.
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| Tothlakonda... buddhist ruins |
I learned the importance of having balance in all things. And I learned that extremities are often what allow us to have balance, as long as they are equal on both ends.
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| this monk sat meditating forever right in front of the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, paying no attention whatsoever to the huge crowds of people that were passing him by all day |
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| his religious tattoos are absolutely beautiful. They even tattoo their heads |
I learned that extreme emotions are necessary in order to lead us to our end goal which is balance, peace, and harmony. I learned that that harmony or feeling of peace--being balanced and whole, or full--is greater and deeper and more sought after than any other feeling, including happiness.
I learned that contrary to popular belief, Indian philosophy and eastern religions do not simply stress the power of the self, rather, the power of the self when it is humble and submissive to a higher power, or God. And I learned that that power of self when it succumbs to God is truly GREAT.
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(above) Bodh Gaya, (below) Varanasi
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| Rajahmundry |
I learned how connected the world and the universe and all of it's inhabitants are. I learned the importance of being aware, paying attention, and analyzing and searching for meaning in everything. I learned that God often answers many of our questions when we notice and pay attention to these things.
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| in front of the Bodhi tree |
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| Vizag market |
I learned the importance of work.. Not only in order to gain a result, but also just for the sake of work. I learned how much work--any kind of work--builds us as humans and forces us to become, and I found a desire within myself to strive to push myself and use my energy to its fullest through work.
I learned that also being aware of one's self and one's surroundings allows a greater freedom and ability for one to act for the benefit of mankind.
I learned the importance of living a disciplined life and overcoming the artificial aspects of life and the body. I also learned of the real ability to do this.
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| Emily doing yoga at Vuda Park |
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| more meditating monks at Bodh Gaya |
I learned how possible it is to love someone unconditionally in an instant, and how much that has to do with humility and respect.
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| one more of the river in Rajahmundry |
I learned that it is always better to be completely open and honest and confront things in order to overcome them rather than to avoid things. I learned how unhealthy it is to avoid things in the long run. I learned that there are times when we are not strong enough to overcome yet and at times we do have to avoid because it's all that we can do. But I learned that there comes a time when we eventually must confront things, and it's better to choose to do that and have control over overcoming rather than being forced to face things when we are not expecting it.
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| Amber fort in Jaipur... one of my favorite places in India |
I learned the importance of being actively involved in everything... In God, in other people, in ourselves, in life and all it's experiences. I learned that when we do this, we are constantly shocked and amazed at how wonderful and complex God and His creations and plan really are.
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| yoga at the beach near Vuda Park |
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| the Baghavad Gita written in Telugu on banana leaves |
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| Becca is one of the most naturally beautiful people I have ever met, both inside and out |
I learned the importance of being completely and openly sincere and real.
I learned how to start to recognize the difference between what is real and what is artificial. I learned that how someone looks has absolutely no importance and no correlation to how much someone is worth.
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| Amber Fort--Jaipur, Rajasthan |
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| the beach in Vizag |
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| a guard at the Amber Fort--Jaipur, Rajasthan |
I learned the importance of treating anyone and everyone with respect, no matter who they are, how you perceive them, or how they treat you. I learned to treat guests as royalty, and treat all as divinity--because that's what they are.
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| Amber Fort |
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| a bike in the gardens of the Taj Mahal |
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| Bodh Gaya |
I learned some of what my role is in the world. I learned more of my purpose and what I was sent here to do. I started to realize how I can use my gifts and talents and interests in order to better the world and follow God's plan for me, and it has given me a deeper purpose and greater excitement towards life every day and towards my future.
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| Amber Fort |
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| film film and more film |
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| Bodh Gaya |
I learned that there are different ways to live the gospel and different ways to live life, and that's OK. I learned that we can't judge someone who chooses to live differently, inside or outside of the gospel, because that diversity is often needed and a lot of times there is much more than meets the eye. I learned that one or a few single traits do not define a person, because humans are so incredibly complex and multi-dimensional that we can't simply categorize people by one or two dimensions. I learned that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and we should others for their strengths and not worry about their weaknesses, but simply be the best examples that we can using our own strengths in order to help motivate and inspire people to change.
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| Rushikonda Beach |
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| Vuda Park |
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| so real and so beautiful |
I learned that truth can be found anywhere. I learned that there are a lot of people who have a lot more truth in their lives than I do, and even if they also have a lot of falsehood, I want to seek out that truth from them and learn how to incorporate it and live off of it in my life. I was reminded of why it's so important to seek out and find truth, and the joy and freedom that is acquired when that is done.
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| Bodh Gaya |
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Bodh Gaya, worshiping the tree as a group
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| Bodh Gaya |
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| a child monk in Bodh Gaya |
I learned of both the strength and weakness of the human body. I became extremely aware of many who understood the purpose, respected, and learned to control their bodies and accomplished great things. I also became extremely aware of many who misunderstood the purpose, disrespected, and were controlled BY their bodies. I saw the poisonous and obstructing messages they (perhaps unintentionally) put off into the world, and I was sad for those who believed these messages. I learned that I want to motivate people, uplift them, and help them realize and achieve their real potential to do good in the world.
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take these broken wings and learn to fly, all your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise
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| I loved these adorable girls so much |
I learned how much a culture affects someone--whether it be the culture of their country, their state, their town, their family, their school, or any other groups they are associated with or a part of. I also learned that it is possible to live in a situation or surrounding without letting the negative aspects of it affect you, as long as you are aware and make a conscious effort to take the good and leave the bad.
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| Vizag market |
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| My favorite Indian fruit... custard apple |
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| Vizag market |
Most of all, I learned so much more about who I am and how to BE who I am. I learned how to not worry about what other people think of me in a real way… and that has shown in who I am now and the way that I have acted since I've been home. I learned how to fill in my shoes and be everything that I have always wanted to be, and how to continue forward improving myself and reaching my potential. And I have learned how to do that by really truly being aware of what that potential is and who I really am.
My time in India was not only life-changing, but eternity-changing for me. I learned so much more than I ever would have imagined! I truly believe in the power of diversity and throwing yourself into it in order to learn and open your eyes to new things. I am so incredibly grateful for the 4 months I was able to spend there and for the incredible people I met and lessons that I learned.
Those crucial 4 months have prepared me for many great things to come in the future. More info on that future coming soon… :)
