Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 2

The

Ethereal Way Through India As with events, so is it with thoughts. When I watch that flowing river, which, out of regions I see not, pours for a season its streams into me, I see that I am a pensioner; not a cause, but a surprised spectator of this ethereal water; that I desire and look up, and put myself in the attitude of reception, but from some alien energy the visions come. -Emerson, Over-Soul, 1841 Profound poet, philosopher, and author, Ralph Waldo Emerson had been one of the primary Westerners to boldly breech the mystical lands of India in all of its vast intricate beauty and spectral spiritual substance. With profound literary artistry, Emerson weaved his philosophy of several elemental scintillating facets. Initially, an admirer of German transcendental philosophy, Emerson forged his theology along with eloquent affirmations of Plato, and then elevated his final perspective with the Bhagavad Gita. Considered to be one of the most momentous texts in the history of literature, as well as philosophy, the 700-verse Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita, is subliminally taught by Lord Krishna, who is considered to be by Hindus as a manifestation of God, or accordingly referred to as Bhagavan, the Devine One. There have been those to conjecture, All roads lead to India. India converges as a mecca of culture, ancient civilizations, and incredulous abundance of religious spirituality spanning from Christianity to Buddhism. Upon my visit to India in May, I was fortunate to embark upon Kerala, Delhi, and Mumbai, all unique, differentiating, and alluring cities. There is something to be said for the still quiet of strength, immersed with God-like presence, permeating the land, the people, and inevitably affecting all who venture upon India. In Kerala, I arrived to a warm thicket of sweltering air, embracing me instantly in kind, welcoming me to the tranquil, environmental-friendly lands. Admittedly, Keralas culture comprised of multifaceted components, inclusive of a diverse population, various religions, and its unique geographic positioning on the narrow belt lying between the Arabian Sea and the Western gate, instills the city with a particular dichotomy of political, spiritual, and environmental awareness. The Kerala culture dons the motto, Unity in Diversity. Intriguingly, Kerala has been characterized as a mysterious land of spices. Historically, the trade of spices dates back to 3rd millennium BC in Kerala, encompassing cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Professedly, the economically and culturally prosperous Kerala has kept up trade with foreign countries several centuries before the dawn of the Christian era. In Kerala, I volunteered teaching English, Arithmetic, and Art to a precocious group of children at an Orphanage. The experience marked a definitive mountain upon my life, upon which I gaze now, at certain moments, with awe and professed sentimental memory. Invariably unparallel to anything prior that had occurred in my life, the time pronounces now as an occurrence of either a single breath ago, or, at times, a whole century past.

Venturing upon Delhi, I discovered a city imbedded with culture, art, Bollywood, and most significantly , monumental structures depicting tombs, temples, and sanctuaries of various religions. Therefore, the first adventure occurred at Humayuns Tomb, the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Commissioned by Humayuns wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562 CE, Huyamons Tomb now stands as the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, invariably comprised mostly of red sandstone. Admittedly, the red sandstone depiction embodies the grounds with a commanding air. The said structure has been noted to engage more red sandstone than any other structure in the world. There in this spectral place I existed like a little bird perched upon an open veranda, gazing at the visitors strolling in and out of the spiritual red brick playground. As I accordingly sketched the buildings before me, the people below wandered about, occasionally looking up to gaze at me, in suspended moments, at my own artistic venture. It was as if all of us had arrived on our private embarkment, entreating upon the unknown, hopeful of new light, knowledge, and to be touched by something forever lasting upon our fragile memories, and written into our internal human slates; to be never erased or tarnished by any future happening of life. Delving up the staircase, circling about the inner arches of structure, embraced by shadows and hollow corners, I left the location lighter, as if afloat upon a cloud of some other knowledge. Upon exiting this ethereal place, I passed through an arched hallway, upon which there were the essential historical footprints of the given structure. Entreating within one particular pronounced writing, I invoked the following: There was in Humayan an innate gentleness, a trustfulness that was to nave, even for a childa burnt child at least learns quickly to dread firebut not Humayun; there was a quality of the saint in this strange man; Humayun never broke his promises. If life is essentially comprised of but a myriad of moments, this was decidedly one of those enthralling literary passes to have forever stamped my being. Delhi additionally included a stop at the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in the evening. Considered to be the most prominent Sikh house of worship, the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib features a dancing body of water within its grounds, accepted as holy water by the Sikhs. The temple glowed prominently and echoed with cerebral music and soothing sermon. However, the dancing large fish within the pond of holy-water made its most memorable impression on me, as well as upon the children within the grounds, who pranced about in the waters, curious and aglow in its shifting unpredictable mass.

Вам также может понравиться