Himachal Pradesh in India is one of my favourite states to visit. I had been to almost all the well-known places of the state except Dharamshala. The time had come. On reaching Dharamshala, other than the pine and deodar dense forests you see a number of monks, momos and monasteries.
I visited all the viewpoints and did all that tourists do like eating momos, drinking wine and eating Tibetan food at the famous cafes of McLeod Ganj. But my main motto of this trip was to visit the Namgyal Monastery (also known as the temple of Dalai Lama). Its location is serene. I was sure my search for true silence will definitely end here. On entering inside, I could see a big statue of Buddha. To my surprise, all the offering in front of this statue were products of international brands. I could see cans of Red Bull, Pringles potato chips, cheese, Chocolates, cookies etc. To someone who is used to seeing ladoos (sweets) and fruits served to God, this was not less than a shock. I sat there for some time thinking about how a foreign country followers of Buddha (especially from the western world) would have started this fancy offering. Then I went outside the temple to take rounds around the Prayer wheels, Cylindrical wheels on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, etc. Its called a Wylie: Khor lo, in Tibetian. While touching these rotating wheels, I was thinking about the different people who would have touched these from celebrities like Richard Gere to many big world leaders.
On the side aisle seat of the next row, there was a small boy seating with a glass of water in his hand. He was focused on the movement of water caused by the turbulence of the aircraft.
After spending a couple of days more, it was time to catch the flight back to Delhi from the Kangra Airport (near Dharamshala). Its a very small airport, more like a small-town bus station. Standing there waiting for my boarding I realised that there was not a single moment of silence during my visit. I was either planning about the places to visit, or worried about the western influence on the Indian culture or thinking about the branded offerings for Buddha and at the Prayer wheels it was about Richard Gere. So in short, no experience of 'true silence' in the Monastries of Dharamshala. I took the flight, just in 20 mins or so, the Pilot announced about extreme turbulent weather. Both passengers and crew were advised to stay seated with belts on. Air turbulence is a very real concern for travellers. Caused by a variety of natural factors, in this case, it was bad weather, turbulence can bring anxiety, fear, and sometimes genuine injury. I could see people closing their eyes and praying. Some were holding hands of their near ones. I too was scared and started watching around. On the side aisle seat of the next row, there was a small boy seating with a glass of water in his hand. He was focused on the movement of water caused by the turbulence of the aircraft. How the water kind of equally jumps maintaining its level from the glass and again falls back into the glass. the curiosity in his eyes and the joy on his face took my complete attention. I was fully immersed in that child's play in the turbulence. Complete focus on glass, water, movement and the child's response. There was no background score in the head, there was no evaluation of the situation, there was no judging the situation. Just me and that moment. Only when the captain announced that we are out of the bad patch that I lost my touch with silence. Watching the curiosity and joy at that moment was the end of my search for silence.
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