Postcards from India

Last month, I had had the opportunity to travel to India, something I have wanted to do for over 30 years. India is even more amazing than I imagined. The richness and complexity of the culture are astounding, and I found the Indian people to be very welcoming and endearing. Here are just a few of the highlights.

On my first day in Delhi, I made a bee line to the Gandhi Smriti (meaning “Gandhi Remembrance”). There I visited the Birla House, where Gandhi lived the last months of his life. The mansion has been turned into a wonderful museum displaying Gandhi’s teachings and countless artworks inspired by his life and message. The grounds are very beautiful and show the path Gandhi walked his last evening, January 30, 1948, and the place of his assassination. It was heartening to see that his work for world peace is well-remembered.

From Delhi, I traveled to several places in Northern India, including Jaipur and Varanasi, and then spent a week in Cochin in Southern India. While in Cochin, I met a doctor who runs a dozen or so hospitals. I was asked to give a forgiveness talk to a group of his patients, focusing on the immense health benefits of forgiveness. This topic is covered in my workbook, but I don’t usually spend a lot of time talking about it, so I enjoyed this very much.

I gave a second forgiveness talk at a law school near Delhi. At first it was going to be for the law school faculty only, but the dean of the law school was so enthusiastic about forgiveness, he invited faculty from the schools of business, economics and medicine as well. I was asked to speak on “The Importance of Forgiveness to Enhance Productivity and Create a Conducive Work Environment.” This too was a high point, and a perfect way to spend my last day in India.

Photo Dec 06, 3 58 43 AM Yet my number one experience was visiting the Taj Mahal. It had been a dream of mine to be at the Taj Mahal during the full moon. Yet, because of various complications, along the way I had completely let go of the idea. Then, against all odds, on the night of the full moon, there I was, standing before this architectural jewel. The beauty of the Taj Mahal is beyond description. It was built as a monument to love, and that is exactly what I felt as I stood there, love plus enormous gratitude. It really is possible to make our dreams come true.