Journey of Growth: Lessons from India and Nepal
"Travel far enough, you meet yourself." – David Mitchell
Since I learned belly dance in the early 2000’s I started dreaming of going to India, I love the colorful clothes, the jewelry and their culture. Finally in 2020 that dream was going to become a reality, but it didn’t. We were supposed to flight there on March 17, a week after all the countries closed their borders because of covid. I was very disappointed, but didn’t give up, I knew it was going to happen someday, then in the summer of 2023 it happened. I went to India and Nepal with a small group of people that my friend, a buddhist monk, organized.
You probably have heard it before but India is a place of contrasts. Super rich people, super poor people. Lots of chaos but very spiritual as well. Very simple living in a super rich culture.
For us, people born on this side of the world, it is easy to judge them, simply because everything it’s so different. So this trip was a constant reminder that different is not wrong, different is new and offers another perspective.
Our first stop was New Delhi is a huge city, with people everywhere and of course the cows in the middle of the streets. The most touristic places are very well maintained, but one thing I noticed is that in most places they don’t get what a line is for. They just try to get into places as a bunch, so it very disorganized.
From there, we visited Agra, home to the magnificent Taj Mahal. This imposing and beautiful structure was originally built as an expression of love. While it’s fascinating to reflect on the enormous resources invested in creating a building that primarily serves as a tomb for two—the emperor and his beloved wife—it stands as a timeless symbol of his enduring love and dedication.
Then we went to Varanasi by train and the train station was an experience in itself! It is very common for them to wait very long hours, even overnight, at the train station for the next train, so they don’t have a problem to lay down there in the platform, and it is everyone, old, young, men and women, they lay down and fall sleep even in the middle of the pathways. This is completely normal for them but it was shocking to see.
Varanasi is considered the holiest city in Hinduism. They believe that dying there leads to liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Also the sacred river the Ganges flows through the city. And it is interesting that when you hear the words holy and sacred, you imagine it’s beautiful, clean and peaceful. Well it’s not. Of all the places we visit it was the most chaotic. Because every Hindu’s dream is to visit Varanasi at least once in their lifetime and specially close to their deaths.
Generally in India the traffic is terrible, they honk so much and they don’t care much about rules. But specially in Varanasi it is a total mayhem. The tuk tuks or auto-rickshaw are everywhere and they honk just in case, so they is constant noise and chaos in the street. I am a person than barely uses the honk, I don’t like it, so it was very challenging at the beginning, it was easy to get stress out but the noise and chaos. But then I said you know what, this is the reality here, I can fight it and get stress out or accept it and flow with it. That’s what I did, I use the external noise and chaos as an invitation go within, remain calm in the midst of the turmoil.
We went to a sunset celebration at the Ganges river, there was so many people in there, at least 500 people, all singing, and praying and decorating Lord Shiva statues, it was a beautiful experience to witness the faith and connection they have in their Gods.
We went back to Delhi and flew the next day to Kathmandu, Nepal. Even thought there is still a lot of people and crazy driving as well, the energy is less chaotic in there and it is the birth place of my friend the buddhist monk that organized the trip, so we also had the opportunity to spend some time with his family.
We visited various monasteries and stupas that are dome-shaped Buddhist shrines, you can walk around them while reciting mantras, they are very spiritual places. In one of them there was a small monastery, we were able to go inside to received a blessing and the sit down to listen to the monks recite prayers, that sound like songs. It was very peaceful and meditative.
Then we travel to Pokhara, the Jewel of the Himalaya, by road, it took way longer than usual because of some road work. But in one of the stop we met a group of elementary school girls that were so amazed to see tourist there. They asked me for BTS and Brad Pitt 😂! I thought wow they are at the other side of the world living apparently very different lives than us but in reality they are not very different than an elementary school girls from USA.
Back in Kathmandu we went to visit temples, old cities with so much history. Even though in Nepal most people, 80%, are Hindus and only 9% are Buddhist they have a beautiful mixed of cultures. There is a a place called Swayambhu, it is one of the holiest Buddhist stupas in Nepal. It’s also known as a Monkey Temple because they are many monkeys walking around. The stupa has stood as a hallmark of faith and harmony for centuries with Hindu temples and deities incorporated in this Buddhist site. An important reminder that we can live in peace and harmony when we respect everyone religious beliefs.
In general it was a great experience, with some difficult and uncomfortable moments (like the heat or using their bathrooms), but that is what makes travel a great growth experience, because we need to step completely out of our comfort zone.
Something I realized by the end of the trip is that when you see so much people living in the street you feel bad for them, but for them, because of their beliefs is not a big deal, of course in not what they have chose but they understand that there is karma and the faith they have in their deities supports them in a way I feel it is hard for us to understand.
Also the people are very nice, very generous, even when they don’t have much they always trying to make you feel good. This trip was more than witnessing vibrant cultures and breathtaking monuments; it was about understanding the essence of acceptance, simplicity, and unity amidst diversity.
From the crowded streets of Varanasi to the peace-filled monasteries of Nepal, each place reminded me that while our lives may appear different on the surface, our desires and aspirations are profoundly similar. We all seek love, peace, and understanding.
This journey left an indelible mark on my heart, highlighting the power of stepping beyond comfort zones, embracing new perspectives, and understanding that sometimes the most challenging experiences lead to the greatest personal growth.
I've realized that beyond the enriching experiences and stunning sights, there are life lessons that anyone can apply to their own personal growth. Here are some ways you can incorporate these insights into your everyday life:
Embrace Differences: Just like the vibrant contrasts in India and Nepal, view differences in your daily life as opportunities to learn and gain new insights. Approach new experiences with an open mind.
Find Calm in Chaos: Take inspiration from the peaceful practices I found amidst the busy streets. When you encounter stress, try to breathe deeply and let the external hustle teach you about cultivating inner peace.
Celebrate Simplicity: Notice how your own life is enriched by simple joys and moments of gratitude. Take a moment each day to appreciate the little things, as many people in these cultures do despite challenges.
Step Out of Comfort Zones: Growth often happens when we push our boundaries. Whether it’s a new project, hobby, or travel, actively seek experiences that challenge you.
Value Human Connection: Just as I found commonality with people from diverse cultures, look for connections in your community. Engage with people from different backgrounds to broaden your perspective and deepen your empathy.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure. I hope it inspires you to embark on your own journey of discovery, embracing the contrasts and connections that make our world so beautifully diverse.
Thanks for reading and keep growing!
With love,
Nathalia Mahecha
