India Dreaming 꿈꾸는 인도

                             (written in 2003)

 I recently visited India for 16 days. While staying in Mumbai and Lonavla, I really appreciated their deep spirituality, abundant culture, and rain. When Indians and I talk about India, we spontaneously recall Gandhi and Mother Teresa.

 At the same time, we are concerned about poverty under its caste system. India seems to be poor, but, as far as I know, they are proud of their history, culture, and intelligence. Even a beggar with her child on her shoulder knows how to smile. Almost every Indian sister I met during the conference was hospitable, kind-hearted, proud, and full of smiles. They looked happy and beautiful. I think being happy and sincere is so precious and beautiful that it penetrates the reality of poverty.

 Most Asian countries are multicultural, multilingual, and multireligious. So, it is a great challenge to appreciate the goodness and beauty of other cultures, religions, and races. India has a rainbow of cultures spread out over 27 states and six territories. It has 18 languages, with two official languages--Hindi and English. Being a multi-religious country, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and Parsis coexist in this huge land. It's said that it's not easy for Christianity to spread in India, because of its ancient religions and its profound sense of spirituality.

 As I walked down the streets, I saw no traffic lanes or signs. Along the fields, natural waterfalls on the hills or mountains were spreading their beauty like a folding screen. Cows and buffalos were freely passing through the street. Temples with various images or idols were crowded with lots of people. It is true that people out of poverty long for something higher, transcendental and spiritual. Probably because Hinduism is not a rational religion, poverty and divisions among people seemed to be an inescapable reality.

 It's encouraging to see many Indian churches conduct the so-called 'Aarathi' instead of Christian religious service so that even non-believers can come to church to pray and sing together. Hopefully, in the end, they might believe they are all equals created in the image of God.

 The three most important challenges for Asian people are raising multicultural awareness, fundamental services for the poor and marginalized, and understanding various religions. As you know, many western people throng to ashrams and gurus in Asia for spirituality. I had a chance to visit Osho meditation resort in Pune. I had to pay 10 rupees just to take a walk in silence around the compound for about 15 minutes. They said staying one day here costs 1,700 rupees or so just to experience various ways of meditation such as dynamic meditation, Kundalini meditation, Nataraj meditation, nada Brahma meditation, chakra breathing meditation, chakra sounds meditation, no-dimensions mediation, whirling meditation and so on. Those who stay there wear maroon robes with no bras or underwear.

 It is said that this area was barren in its early beginnings, but its founder, Osho, cultivated it to become a viable territory. His many works have been already translated into many languages. Those who follow Osho meditation believe in accepting their here and now, total freedom, personal responsibility, expressing sensuality as something natural, living their principles in daily life, and looking inward instead of the external world.

 They oppose the outside world, so they confine themselves to Osho and its surroundings. Be happy with one's own existence, be yourself, and be natural are their catchphrases. They seem to realize inner peace and freedom without God.

 They introduce Osho as a place to relax, recharge one's self and make wellness a reality. The Osho auditorium has the capacity to house 5,000 people. People are free to meditate anywhere within the compound. Osho once said, "What I am doing here is very simple, very ordinary, nothing spiritual, nothing sacred. I am not trying to make you holy people. I am simply trying to make you sane, intelligent, ordinary people, who can live their lives joyously in dance and celebration."

 I agree with the idea of living life to the fullest, but I feel something is lacking in their ideas. They practice their meditations, but they seemed to seek money from their activities. If they are open to the world, they might open the gate of the auditorium to share their spirituality. However, they are closed. No one knows how many people there are inside. Who knows if they have free sex or what other things that may go on there.

 Many people still visit this place, implying many modern people are searching for peace and comfort. They try for better lives and look for a place where they can relax and renew themselves. It is something like a new age movement.

 It's a pity that they don't like the world. The world is our home where we can reach out to share our riches with one another. Some ideas are good, but it's necessary to discern the truth.

 When I visited the Sadhana Institute, which is run by Jesuits, this meditation training center was fully open and educated people seeking inner freedom and peace. The spirit of its founder, Father Tony De Mello, seemed to guide us to a new way of life.

 There are many things I have learned from the Indian Catholic Church. Among them, I would like to point out one thing regarding conversion--they do not force a person to be a Christian. They wait until a person's willingness becomes mature and spontaneous. It surely takes time to become baptized, but the church doesn't press it. Unlike Korean Catholics where over one-third or two-thirds are non-practicing Catholics, India has few non-practicing Catholics. Once they believe, they stay true to the end.

 However, building and expanding the church should not be the primary concern. The foremost thing is to create an inner kingdom of peace, love, joy, and sharing among us. The second most important thing is cultural awareness. People should try to integrate their beliefs and other cultures into their lives. People know to be happy and joyful if they are true to themselves. Every homily at the Indian Catholic Church was spontaneous and natural but filled with deep insight and concise explanations based on the Gospels. While enjoying my stay in India, I was so grateful to be able to appreciate their way of life. Sharing means a lot. 

 The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Sept. 6, 2003