Celebrating Freedom Everywhere
Of the Common Bonds that Unite Us.
Hello Everyone!
Happy July 4th to those of you celebrating Independence Day in the United States.
Freedom - what a concept humans have defined.
Freedom from oppression, freedom for everyone on the planet, to choose without fear, to live without judgment, to love, laugh and find peace.
“Freedom is my birthright, and I shall have it” exclaimed a famous Indian freedom fighter, B. Tilak, in 1897, a saying children and adults in India are expected to remember from history class. India, of course, celebrates its Independence Day on August 15.
Edward T. Hall, a respected and groundbreaking American anthropologist, wrote, "Culture hides much more than it reveals, and strangely enough, what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants."
I am discovering this truth as I navigate presenting a closer look at the culture of India for this publication, often asked the question, “Is this part of Indian culture?”
How do Indians look upon themselves? How do they identify themselves to each other? Do they look enough in the mirror to see the warts – some blemishes that can be fixed with the right will, in time, and others, perhaps, that are accepted with awareness for now, striving to be better for future generations?
My cultural post, I find, is too raw to be shared with everyone just yet.
To understand the culture of nearly a billion Hindus of India, it is important to understand its bedrock: spirituality and faith.
This central tenet and the philosophy of a quest for freedom of the soul is what prompted me to write the series on the mysteries of faith where I explore the many saints and faces of faith.
One such highly acclaimed monk renounced the world years after graduating with an Arts degree from a Western-style college in British Calcutta in 1879. He was invited to address the inaugural Parliament of Religions in 1893 in Chicago.
As a relatively unknown name even in his home nation, he traveled to the United States by sea—an act generally frowned upon by traditionalists1—at the behest and sponsorship of a local king from a northwestern Indian region to represent Hinduism.
In Chicago, he opened his speech with “Sisters and Brothers of America,” which was received with such resounding applause and considered such a fresh breath of air, that he never again wanted for an invitation to speak.
One reviewer wrote of the monk: “an orator by divine right and undoubtedly the greatest figure at the Parliament.”
Those who met him in person later on included Nikola Tesla and William James.
His speeches, writings, and teachings - a vast collection, mostly in English - married the modern with the ancient in a way that had never been attempted before, and at a time when many had lost hope of freedom, inspiring them to action.
He reminds us of the ancient truths of India that may have been forgotten or disbelieved. His abridged essay on the secret of work was required reading in high school.
It may surprise some of you to learn that this monk entered ‘Samadhi’2 - a state that describes when a saint becomes one with a Higher Self- on July 4, 1902 at the age of 39, fulfilling his own prophecy that he would not live to see 40.
Some marvel at his choice of date, for it is believed that monks and saints of his calibre choose their day of departure. Perhaps in choosing the Independence Day of the United States as the day to enter the ultimate meditative state, they suggest, he may have been giving a respectful nod to his years spent among the American people teaching higher truths, establishing spiritual centers, meditating, and receiving much love, affection and support.
Whether in the 1900’s or in 2024, are humans rooted in the need for freedom, in pursuing our material and spiritual goals without harming others, and in a spirit of common understanding of the journey a human life entails?
Returning to mundane matters, for this month’s roundup, rather than list my recent posts, I thought to showcase below some of my earlier posts from the catalog that may have escaped the attention of this community that has grown since those days.
As always, thank you for reading and I welcome your comments.
Until next month, stay safe and be free!
Jayshree
p.s. other monthly round-ups can be found under 'Musings.'
Travel
Cultural Bridges
On a Lighter Note - Humorous takes on Life in India
Meeting the Naturalized US Citizen at JFK.
What does it take to retain a driver in Hyderabad?
What to do with the beggars when the President of the United States visits?
Green Uniforms and Bollywood Blues
Navigating Illegal Expectoration
It was considered such a sacrilegious act, especially for monks, that the traveler was ostracized as a Hindu for crossing the ‘seven seas.’
Samadhi is the end-state where one is wholly merged with the higher Self. When saints who are exalted on the spiritual plane, opt to enter this state, sometimes, they do not return to this world, and their spirit is said to have entered ‘Mahasamadhi’ (great samadhi) and returned to the celestial plane.
Wonder if you are familiar with the book Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda . He came to speak in USA. Started Self RealizationFellowship in Los Angeles and samadhi 1953.
Happy Independence Day (August 11) in advance.