Reflecting on life, what really matters, and on how to live a meaningful and joyful life that is congruent with my values, here are some bits of lessons learned from our visit to Bodhgaya and Bakrour village earlier this year:
• The high value put on trust: Much more than in American society, people in India are commonly trusted for their word or hand shake and are most often not disappointed.
• The importance of relationships: Amidst constant physical and material hardship, relationships seem to sustain the people. They are central and all encompassing in people’s lives. They provide meaning and purpose, and are a source of great joy and comfort that holds people up in the face of much difficulty.
• Witnessing the suffering and doing what little I can do to help: The fact that I cannot eradicate suffering on my own does not negate the value of offering whatever I can. Witnessing itself, acknowledging the suffering rather than turning the other way, is a compassionate gesture that creates a heart connection and has the potential to empower others and give them hope.
