Author: John Campos
Publication: The Vedic Foundation
Date:
URL: http://www.thevedicfoundation.org/news_and_events/articles/read_our_articles-a_mexican_comes_home_to_india.htm
A few years ago, an Indian woman
dressed in a sari approached me at a gas station and asked if I knew the
directions to the local Hindu temple. The woman explained she was visiting
Austin and had heard about this beautiful temple. I was able to give her
directions, as I regularly attend the temple. As she walked away, she asked
me from which part of India I emigrated. I told her I was not Indian, but
rather of Mexican origin. She swirled around and looked at me astonishingly.
"That's amazing," she said. "A Mexican Hindu! I've never heard of such
a thing!" It wasn't the first time I had been mistaken for another nationality.
I'm often asked whether I was born
in India. The question amuses me, because I could respond both "Yes" and
"No." But such an answer would confuse people, as well as require a lengthy
explanation from me, so I usually respond "No," I was not physically born
an Indian. My ancestors were from Mexico, but they left their country for
the United States. At times, though, I want to provide a different response.
Undoubtedly, I was spiritually born an Indian when I adopted the Hindu
faith several years ago. This requires an explanation that entails a journey
-- a spiritual one that I'll share.
Many non-Indians have recognized
the spiritual wealth of Hinduism and have liberally taken from its treasures:
its teachings of bhakti meditation to a personal form of God; its Sanskrit
scriptures and verses; its instruction on the philosophy of living are
but a few of its priceless spiritual jewels. But what is a troubling and
growing phenomenon, however, is that it seems that Indians who are Hindus
by birth do not value the immense wealth of their birthright. And in the
process, I believe they are becoming spiritually bankrupt.
Many years ago, a co-worker of mine
-- an Indian Hindu -- and I were discussing religion. He confided to me
that he did not regularly attend any type of religious services and did
not really know much about Hinduism. He admitted that he did not even follow
some of its basic principles: he was non-vegetarian and had grown accustomed
to drinking and smoking. Because of his non-interest in his birth religion,
he was not making any effort to instruct his children about it and had
resigned to let them choose their own faith and religion. He added that
many Indians such as himself had come to view their local temple as a place
to socialize and network, rather than a place to practice their beliefs
in good faith. He noted that I probably knew more about Hinduism than he
did, and it was surprising to him that someone without this birthright
would value it enough to adopt it.
My co-worker's story is not a unique
one. Many Indians who immigrate to the United States have many things in
common. They're educated, they're ambitious, and they're lured by the promise
of material success. But along the way to material achievement, it appears
to me that many forget their birthright to the great spiritual ancestry
that is Hinduism. Unfortunately for many Hindus, forgetting their spiritual
ancestry for the sake of material gain brings to mind a Spanish dicho (saying):
"Quien mucho abarca poco aprieta" (Whoever grasps much can hold on to little).
Indeed, for the sake of enormous material acquisition, it is nearly impossible
to hold on to that which is paramount for a soul's contentment: God's love.
When I'm asked why a non-Indian
such as myself would choose Hinduism, my answer is founded on the practical
experience of spiritual happiness. I found that the wisdom contained in
the Hindu scriptures was a deep well from which I could replenish my spiritual
needs. The discovery was so profound to me, because in searching for personal
meaning in my life, I found great solace in Hinduism's lucid philosophy
and teachings of love to a personal form of God, Radha-Krishn.
My previous religious studies in
years past were fruitless in that they had not inspired spiritual desire
in me. And my reading of western philosophers' writings impressed me as
being dry, intellectual speculations. In contrast, the deep love and devotion
to God that manifests in the lives of the great Saints of the Hindu tradition
appeals to me. Their promise that through loving devotion - bhakti - one
can merge, know, and see God in divine personal form encourages me to have
faith in this universal and great religion. By one's sincere effort and
God's grace, God's love would fructify in the heart. It did not matter
what my race, gender, or belief was. This is the central teaching of Hinduism.
A few years ago, I had the good
fortune to visit India. Shortly after arriving at the airport, one of the
baggage handlers noticed that my luggage tags were from America. He pointed
to my tags and asked if I had just come from there. I said that I had.
As he loaded my luggage onto a taxi, he asked me if the journey was tiring.
I acknowledged that it was. "But," he added, "that doesn't matter - at
least you're home now." He was right, and I couldn't help but smile. A
Mexican had come home to India.
