Oh McLeod Ganj.
What a beautiful escape from the life in India. A cool, crisp, clean breath of air as we got off the rattling bus. Such a simple thing that can bring a smile to anyone's face after being in major cities or towns in India. Hopping into a taxi for a grueling 15 minute ride uphill, on a so called "road", we reach the town where the Tibetans chose for their new home/settlement, (well until they get to go back, but I'm not going into that right now.) I can feel all the grimy loogies coming out of my lungs as they try to clean themselves and reach for the pure fresh mountain air. It is cold here. We were not prepared for this. That's ok, because one of the many amazing Tibetan specialties is knitting, and I buy myself a pair of yak wool socks to keep me warm at night. The next morning we register to visit the Dalai Lama, who is supposed to being doing a teaching in 3 days. We fill out a small form and get a card that attaches to our shirts, that says something in Tibetan about being cool, I'm sure. We spend the rest of the days waiting walking around gazing at the beautiful mountain ranges and enjoying the Tibetan people. (Tibetans are probably the happiest people I have ever met, and yes, I did just categorize a whole population of people but it is true.)
We bought radios to listen to the english version translation of the talks, and found a seat to listen. Well I'm not going to go through and tell you everything I learnt but I am going to say this: If you ever get a chance to see this amazingly smart, and very shy man, do it! I wrote some things down, but a lot of it is common sense. Basically not getting attached to anything in life and trying to be compassionate in every aspect of life. They gave everyone tea and bread at the beginning of every day, and everything was free. We also got red string to tie around our wrists to signify a blessing from his Holiness.
On another note.......
We have been asked a few times about our lives by the local people in India but mainly they ask these 3 things:
1. Are you married, this is a common one.
2.How many children; not, do you have any.
3. What religion are you.
Well number one, we tell people we are married because they don't understand the engagement process. But we go on telling them we have been not married for 7 years before we got married, and the just can't wrap their heads around it. Living together and stuff. Then they clarify, "Love marriage?" because the marriages here are arranged, and usually they don't know the person they are wedding until their wedding is finished. They always smile when we say YES it is always a love marriage in Canada, that's why we get married!
Number 2, well obviously we say zero and they say, well how old are you. This is because in their culture the woman should be pregnant within a couple days of their wedding, and the more boys they can pop out the better. As soon as they hear our age they gasp. They even ask, "is your family sad with you?" Due to the fact that this is their whole meaning of life!
And of course the religion question. Well although I was raised Catholic, I don't really practice any religion. I have tried to learn about many different types but I just can't believe EVERYTHING about only 1. We tell them we do believe in a God, this God has no name or face, it is just a God that we pray to and that is all. I believe that believing in something is a sure thing, but to believe in a whole story of tales to teach lessons, and being able to be forgiven of all sins by dipping your feet into some holy water, just doesn't cut it. I do believe in Karma but most religions have some sort of Karma in their religion. But other than that I follow my own way of life, and as long as I can keep myself happy and the people around me happy, that is a great religion in itself.
Oh, and trying to explain that you have no religion, well that just doesn't make sense here. They say, "Jesus?" 'no' "Buddah?" 'no' "Hindu?" 'no.' We usually end conversations there.
It just can't be. You can't have NO religion, No marriage, and NO children!!! But my answer to this always remains the same, "As long as there is love and happiness in our lives that's all we need."
I think we have educated quite a few people, and, well, we don't know if i will do harm or good.
Life goes on and Love will rule all! Spread the love!(add in peace sign here)
What a beautiful escape from the life in India. A cool, crisp, clean breath of air as we got off the rattling bus. Such a simple thing that can bring a smile to anyone's face after being in major cities or towns in India. Hopping into a taxi for a grueling 15 minute ride uphill, on a so called "road", we reach the town where the Tibetans chose for their new home/settlement, (well until they get to go back, but I'm not going into that right now.) I can feel all the grimy loogies coming out of my lungs as they try to clean themselves and reach for the pure fresh mountain air. It is cold here. We were not prepared for this. That's ok, because one of the many amazing Tibetan specialties is knitting, and I buy myself a pair of yak wool socks to keep me warm at night. The next morning we register to visit the Dalai Lama, who is supposed to being doing a teaching in 3 days. We fill out a small form and get a card that attaches to our shirts, that says something in Tibetan about being cool, I'm sure. We spend the rest of the days waiting walking around gazing at the beautiful mountain ranges and enjoying the Tibetan people. (Tibetans are probably the happiest people I have ever met, and yes, I did just categorize a whole population of people but it is true.)
We bought radios to listen to the english version translation of the talks, and found a seat to listen. Well I'm not going to go through and tell you everything I learnt but I am going to say this: If you ever get a chance to see this amazingly smart, and very shy man, do it! I wrote some things down, but a lot of it is common sense. Basically not getting attached to anything in life and trying to be compassionate in every aspect of life. They gave everyone tea and bread at the beginning of every day, and everything was free. We also got red string to tie around our wrists to signify a blessing from his Holiness.
On another note.......
We have been asked a few times about our lives by the local people in India but mainly they ask these 3 things:
1. Are you married, this is a common one.
2.How many children; not, do you have any.
3. What religion are you.
Well number one, we tell people we are married because they don't understand the engagement process. But we go on telling them we have been not married for 7 years before we got married, and the just can't wrap their heads around it. Living together and stuff. Then they clarify, "Love marriage?" because the marriages here are arranged, and usually they don't know the person they are wedding until their wedding is finished. They always smile when we say YES it is always a love marriage in Canada, that's why we get married!
Number 2, well obviously we say zero and they say, well how old are you. This is because in their culture the woman should be pregnant within a couple days of their wedding, and the more boys they can pop out the better. As soon as they hear our age they gasp. They even ask, "is your family sad with you?" Due to the fact that this is their whole meaning of life!
And of course the religion question. Well although I was raised Catholic, I don't really practice any religion. I have tried to learn about many different types but I just can't believe EVERYTHING about only 1. We tell them we do believe in a God, this God has no name or face, it is just a God that we pray to and that is all. I believe that believing in something is a sure thing, but to believe in a whole story of tales to teach lessons, and being able to be forgiven of all sins by dipping your feet into some holy water, just doesn't cut it. I do believe in Karma but most religions have some sort of Karma in their religion. But other than that I follow my own way of life, and as long as I can keep myself happy and the people around me happy, that is a great religion in itself.
Oh, and trying to explain that you have no religion, well that just doesn't make sense here. They say, "Jesus?" 'no' "Buddah?" 'no' "Hindu?" 'no.' We usually end conversations there.
It just can't be. You can't have NO religion, No marriage, and NO children!!! But my answer to this always remains the same, "As long as there is love and happiness in our lives that's all we need."
I think we have educated quite a few people, and, well, we don't know if i will do harm or good.
Life goes on and Love will rule all! Spread the love!(add in peace sign here)
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