Discurso de graduación inusual recibe ovación de pie: El orador de la graduación de 2012 en la Universidad de Pensilvania fue una elección poco convencional para una universidad de la Ivy League. Para dirigirse a sus recién graduados, aspirantes a carreras brillantes, eligieron a un hombre que nunca en su vida adulta ha solicitado un empleo. Un hombre que no ha trabajado por dinero en casi una década, y cuya misión declarada es simplemente "traer sonrisas al mundo y serenidad a mi corazón". Este orador poco conocido comenzó su discurso con un consejo sorprendente. Continuó con cuatro ideas clave extraídas de una peregrinación a pie de 1000 km por pueblos de la India. Al concluir su singular discurso de graduación, la multitud de estudiantes con togas y birretes se puso de pie para una ovación de pie. A continuación, la transcripción completa de la charla de Nipun Mehta. --Editores de DailyGood]
Gracias a mis distinguidos amigos, la presidenta Amy Gutmann, el rector Vincent Price y el reverendo Charles Howard, por invitarme a compartir algunas reflexiones en esta feliz ocasión. Es un honor y un privilegio felicitarlos a ustedes, la generación 2012 de UPenn.
Ahora mismo, cada uno de ustedes se encuentra en la pista de aterrizaje de la vida, listo para despegar. Son algunos de los graduados universitarios más talentosos, selectos y motivados del mundo, y sin duda están listos para volar. Así que lo que voy a decir a continuación puede sonar un poco loco. Quiero animarlos, no a volar, sino a caminar . Hace cuatro años, entraron en este maravilloso laboratorio de educación superior. Hoy, con la frente en alto, caminan para recibir sus diplomas. Mañana, entrarán en un mundo de infinitas posibilidades.
Pero caminar, en nuestro mundo acelerado, lamentablemente ha caído en desuso. La palabra "peatón" se usa para describir algo común y corriente. Sin embargo, caminar con intención tiene profundas raíces. Los jóvenes aborígenes australianos realizan caminatas como rito de paso; las tribus nativas americanas realizan búsquedas de visiones en la naturaleza; en Europa, durante siglos, se ha recorrido el Camino de Santiago, que recorre toda España. Estos peregrinos ponen un pie firmemente delante del otro para seguir el ritmo del universo y la cadencia de sus propios corazones.
En 2005, seis meses después de casarnos, mi esposa y yo decidimos "dar un paso más" y emprender una peregrinación a pie. En la cúspide de nuestros esfuerzos con ServiceSpace , nos preguntábamos si tendríamos la capacidad de dejar de lado nuestro éxito mundano y buscar verdades más elevadas. ¿Alguna vez has pensado en algo y luego supiste que tenía que suceder? Fue una de esas cosas. Así que vendimos todas nuestras pertenencias principales y compramos un billete de ida a la India. Nuestro plan era ir al ashram de Mahatma Gandhi, ya que siempre había sido una inspiración para nosotros, y luego caminar hacia el sur. Entre los dos, presupuestamos un dólar al día, principalmente para imprevistos, lo que significaba que para nuestra supervivencia teníamos que depender completamente de la amabilidad de desconocidos. Comíamos lo que nos ofrecían y dormíamos donde nos ofrecían.
Ahora bien, debo decir que estas ideas vienen con una advertencia: no intentes hacer esto en casa, porque es posible que a tu pareja no le agrade exactamente este tipo de luna de miel. :-)
Para nosotros, este camino fue una peregrinación, y nuestro objetivo era simplemente estar en un espacio más amplio que nuestros egos y dejar que esa compasión nos guiara en actos de servicio improvisados a lo largo del camino. Despojados por completo de nuestra zona de confort y de nuestras identidades habituales, ¿podríamos seguir siendo auténticos? Ese era nuestro reto.
Terminamos caminando 1000 kilómetros durante tres meses. En ese período, descubrimos lo mejor y lo peor de la naturaleza humana, no solo en los demás, sino también en nosotros mismos .
Poco después de terminar la peregrinación, mi tío, sin darle importancia, me hizo la pregunta del millón en la mesa: "Entonces, Nipun, ¿qué aprendiste de esta caminata?". No sabía por dónde empezar. Pero, de forma espontánea, se me ocurrió un acrónimo: WALK (CAMINAR ), que englobaba las lecciones clave que habíamos aprendido y que seguimos reaprendiendo, incluso hoy. Al comenzar la siguiente etapa de tu viaje, quiero compartir estas claves con la esperanza de que también iluminen tu camino.
La W de WALK significa Testigo. Al caminar, literalmente ves más. Tu campo de visión es de casi 180 grados, comparado con los 40 grados cuando viajas a 100 km/h. Las velocidades más altas nublan nuestra visión periférica, mientras que caminar amplía tu visión y cambia drásticamente los objetos de tu atención. Por ejemplo, en nuestra peregrinación, observábamos el amanecer todos los días y cómo, al atardecer, los pájaros se congregaban para su propia fiesta. En lugar de añadir amigos en Facebook, hacíamos amigos en persona, a menudo con una taza de chai caliente. La vida a nuestro alrededor cobraba vida de una forma nueva.
El ritmo al caminar es la velocidad de la comunidad. Mientras que las velocidades altas facilitan la separación, un ritmo más lento nos brinda la oportunidad de conectar.
Mientras recorríamos la India rural a una velocidad de un par de millas por hora, se hizo evidente cuánto podíamos aprender simplemente observando el estilo de vida de los aldeanos. Su modelo mental es completamente diferente: la multiplicación de los deseos se sustituye por la satisfacción básica de las necesidades humanas. Cuando ya no te preocupas por pedir más y más cosas, simplemente tomas lo que te dan y das lo que te quitan. La vida vuelve a ser sencilla. Un granjero nos lo explicó así: «No puedes hacer que llueva más en las nubes, ni que brille menos el sol. Son simplemente regalos de la naturaleza: tómalos o déjalos».
Cuando las cosas que te rodean se ven como regalos, dejan de ser un medio para un fin; son el medio y el fin. Así, un pastor cuidará a sus animales con la compasión de un padre, una mujer de pueblo esperará tres horas un autobús retrasado sin un rastro de ira, un niño pasará incontables horas fascinado por las estrellas de la galaxia y buscando su lugar en el vasto cosmos.
Así que, con las herramientas modernizadas que hoy tienes a tu disposición, no te dejes llevar inconscientemente del punto A al punto B por las autopistas de la vida; intenta caminar por los caminos secundarios del mundo, donde serás testigo de una conexión profundamente inextricable con todos los seres vivos.
La A de WALK significa aceptar. Al caminar de esta manera, te pones en la palma de la mano del universo y enfrentas sus realidades de frente. Caminamos en pleno verano, con temperaturas implacables que superaban los 49 grados Celsius. A veces teníamos hambre, estábamos exhaustos e incluso frustrados. Nuestros cuerpos ansiaban un poco de agua extra, unos momentos más a la sombra o simplemente esa pequeña chispa de bondad humana. Muchas veces recibíamos ese extra, y nuestros corazones rebosaban de gratitud. Pero a veces nos negaban abruptamente, y tuvimos que cultivar la capacidad de aceptar los regalos que se escondían incluso en los momentos más difíciles.
Recuerdo uno de esos días, cuando nos acercábamos a una casa de huéspedes por una carretera desierta. Mientras los camiones pesados pasaban zumbando, vimos un cartel que anunciaba que se alojaban huéspedes sin coste alguno. «¡Qué suerte!», pensamos encantados. Entré con entusiasmo. El hombre detrás del mostrador levantó la vista y preguntó bruscamente: «¿Ha venido a ver el templo?». Un simple sí de mis labios nos habría garantizado al instante una comida completa y una habitación para pasar la noche. Pero no habría sido la verdad. Así que, en lugar de eso, dije: «Bueno, técnicamente no, señor. Estamos en una peregrinación a pie para convertirnos en mejores personas. Pero nos encantaría visitar el templo». Con cierta brusquedad, replicó: «Eh, lo siento, no podemos alojarlo». Algo en su brusca arrogancia desató un montón de emociones negativas. Quería hacer un comentario sarcástico a cambio y dar un portazo al salir. En cambio, contuve mi ego desbocado. En ese estado de agotamiento físico y mental, parecía una tarea hercúlea, pero a través de la agitación interna surgió una voz dentro de mí que me decía que aceptara la realidad de este momento.
Hubo una silenciosa metamorfosis en mí. Humildemente, dejé atrás mis defensas, acepté mi destino ese día y me di la vuelta para irme sin rechistar. Quizás el hombre detrás del mostrador percibió este cambio en mí, porque gritó justo entonces: "¿Qué estás haciendo exactamente?". Tras mi breve explicación, dijo: "Mira, no puedo alimentarte ni hospedarte, porque las reglas son reglas. Pero hay baños en la parte de atrás. Podrías dormir fuera del baño de hombres y tu esposa puede dormir fuera del de mujeres". Aunque estaba siendo amable, su oferta fue como echar sal en mis heridas. No tuvimos más remedio que aceptar.
Ese día ayunamos y esa noche dormimos junto a los baños. Una pequeña mentira podría habernos ayudado a subir de categoría, pero no habría sido una peregrinación. Mientras me dormía con una pared separándome de mi esposa, tuve una hermosa visión inesperada de una pareja subiendo a la cima de una montaña desde dos lados diferentes. A mitad de este difícil ascenso, mientras el hombre consideraba rendirse, un pequeño gorrión pasó volando con este consejo: «No te rindas ahora, amigo. Tu esposa está deseando verte en la cima». Siguió subiendo. Unos días después, cuando la esposa estaba a punto de rendirse, el pequeño gorrión apareció con el mismo mensaje. Paso a paso, su amor los sostuvo en su camino hasta la cima. Visitado por la oportuna gracia de esta visión, derramé algunas lágrimas de agradecimiento, y esta historia se convirtió en una piedra de toque no solo en nuestra relación, sino también en muchas otras nobles amistades.
Así que los animo a cultivar la ecuanimidad y a aceptar todo lo que la vida les arroje: cuando lo hagan, serán bendecidos con la percepción de una transformación interior que podrán conservar por siempre.
La L de WALK significa Amor. Cuanto más aprendimos de la naturaleza y desarrollamos resiliencia interna ante las circunstancias externas, más nos adentramos en nuestro estado natural: amar. En nuestro paradigma dominante, Hollywood ha adoptado la palabra insidiosamente, pero el amor del que hablo es el que solo sabe una cosa: dar sin condiciones. Puramente. Desinteresadamente.
La mayoría de nosotros creemos que, para dar, primero necesitamos tener algo que dar. El problema es que, al hacer un balance de lo que tenemos, casi siempre cometemos errores de cálculo. Oscar Wilde bromeó: «Hoy en día, la gente sabe el precio de todo, pero el valor de nada». Hemos olvidado cómo valorar las cosas sin etiqueta. Por lo tanto, cuando llegamos a nuestros dones más abundantes —como la atención, la comprensión, la compasión— confundimos su valor porque, en realidad, son invaluables.
En nuestra peregrinación a pie, notamos que quienes menos tenían eran los más dispuestos a honrar lo invaluable. En las ciudades, la gente con la que nos topamos empezaba con una cautela tácita: "¿Por qué haces esto? ¿Qué quieres de mí?". En el campo , en cambio, los aldeanos casi siempre nos recibían con una curiosidad sincera y nos preguntaban directamente: "Oye, amigo, no pareces de aquí. ¿Cuál es tu historia?".
En los pueblos, el valor no se medía por la tarjeta de presentación, la red profesional ni el salario. Esa sencillez innata les permitía amar la vida y apreciar todas sus conexiones.
Los aldeanos extremadamente pobres, que ni siquiera podían permitirse comer, solían pedir prestada comida a sus vecinos para alimentarnos. Cuando intentábamos negarnos, simplemente explicaban: «Para nosotros, el invitado es Dios. Esta es nuestra ofrenda a la divinidad que hay en ustedes, que nos conecta». Ahora bien, ¿cómo negarse? Los vendedores ambulantes solían regalarnos verduras; en un momento muy conmovedor, un frutero sin brazos insistió en darnos una rebanada de sandía. Todos, sin importar la edad, estaban encantados de darnos indicaciones, incluso cuando no estaban completamente seguros. :) Y todavía recuerdo a la mujer que generosamente nos dio agua cuando teníamos muchísima sed, solo para descubrir después que tuvo que caminar 10 kilómetros a las 4 de la mañana para conseguir ese cubo de agua. Estas personas sabían dar, no porque tuvieran mucho, sino porque sabían amar la vida. No necesitaban ningún crédito ni garantía de que algún día les devolverías el dinero. Más bien, simplemente confiaron en el círculo de donaciones de pagar por adelantado.
Cuando te sientas vivo de esta manera, te darás cuenta de que la verdadera generosidad no comienza cuando tienes algo que dar, sino cuando no hay nada en ti que intente quitar. Así que espero que hagas de cada momento valioso una expresión de amor por la vida.
Y por último, la K de WALK significa Conócete a ti mismo.
Los sabios nos han enseñado desde hace mucho tiempo que cuando servimos incondicionalmente a los demás, pasamos del yo al nosotros y conectamos más profundamente con el otro. Esa matriz de interconexiones permite una profunda quietud mental. Como un lago en calma, sin olas ni ondas, podemos ver con claridad quiénes somos y cómo podemos vivir en profunda armonía con el entorno que nos rodea.
Cuando un pie camina, el otro descansa. Hacer y ser deben estar en equilibrio.
Nuestra mente racional desea asegurar legítimamente el progreso, pero nuestra mente intuitiva también necesita espacio para que surja lo emergente, lo desconocido y lo imprevisto. Actuar es sin duda importante, pero cuando no somos conscientes de nuestro ecosistema interno, nos enfrascamos tanto en nuestros planes y acciones que no percibimos la acumulación de residuos mentales. Con el tiempo, ese ruido interno inconsciente empieza a contaminar nuestras motivaciones, nuestra ética y nuestro espíritu. Por eso, es fundamental aquietar la mente. Después de todo, una melodía solo se puede crear con el silencio entre las notas.
A medida que caminábamos —presenciando, aceptando, amando— nuestra visión del mundo se fue aclarando. Paradójicamente, esa claridad desdibujó nuestras distinciones previas entre yo y nosotros, transformación interior versus impacto externo, y egoísmo versus altruismo. Estaban inextricablemente conectadas. Cuando un agricultor pobre me regaló un tomate como regalo de despedida, con lágrimas en los ojos, ¿estaba recibiendo o dando? Cuando me sentaba durante horas en meditación silenciosa, ¿el beneficio era solo mío o se extendería al mundo? Cuando le quité el pajar de la cabeza a un anciano y lo cargué durante un kilómetro, ¿le estaba sirviendo a él o a mí mismo?
Es decir, no te limites a vivir la vida, sino que crece a través de ella. Te resultará fácil y tentador llegar a respuestas reflexivas, pero proponte, en cambio, reconocer el misterio y acoger las preguntas enriquecedoras... preguntas que te impulsen a una mayor comprensión de este mundo y de tu lugar en él.
Eso es CAMINAR. Y hoy, en este momento trascendental de su vida, llegaron caminando y saldrán caminando. Al adentrarse en un mundo que aspira cada vez más a ir más allá de la velocidad del pensamiento, espero que cada uno recuerde la importancia de viajar a la velocidad de la reflexión. Espero que se tomen el tiempo para observar nuestras magníficas interconexiones. Que acepten los hermosos regalos de la vida incluso cuando no sean bonitos, que practiquen el amor desinteresado y se esfuercen por conocer su naturaleza más profunda.
Quiero terminar con una historia sobre mi bisabuelo. Era un hombre de escasos recursos que, aun así, se las arreglaba para dar cada día de su vida. Cada mañana, tenía la costumbre de salir a caminar y, mientras caminaba, alimentaba diligentemente los hormigueros a su paso con pequeñas pizcas de harina de trigo. Ese es un acto de microgenerosidad tan pequeño que, en el gran esquema del universo, podría parecer insignificante. ¿Qué importancia tiene? Importa porque lo cambió por dentro. Y la bondad de mi bisabuelo moldeó la visión del mundo de mis abuelos, quienes a su vez influyeron en la de sus hijos: mis padres. Hoy, esas hormigas y los hormigueros ya no están, pero el espíritu de mi bisabuelo está profundamente arraigado en todas mis acciones y sus futuras repercusiones. Son precisamente estos pequeños actos de transformación interior, a menudo invisibles, los que moldean la esencia de nuestro ser y marcan el camino de nuestro destino compartido.
En tu caminar, hoy y siempre, te deseo ojos para ver los hormigueros y corazón para alimentarlos con alegría.
Que seas bendecido. Cámbiate a ti mismo, cambia el mundo.
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Thank you for sharing this. May God bless you both.
Wow, amazing, simply amazing talk...you just kept me glued to this narrative as though I was hearing you live, Nipun. Your name is befitting you. It is always about how you can decipher a thought in simple yet effective way so that the recipient of the thought could not only grasp but also transmit it forward. You did that to me. I will never forget the expansion and meaning of the acronym W-A-L-K and would always get reminded whenever I walk. Wishing you all the best in your WALK of life. God bless.
Beautiful article, it was worth reading
Amazing article... When one foot walks, the other rests.I`ll take this forever!
Amazing story. Reminds me of Nanak ji. Sat naam wage guru. We need crazy people like you in this world to make it better, loving and acceptable.
This was a true gift today. An affirmation of thoughts I was pondering just this morning. On my way into work (driving, sadly rather than walking - but at a leisurely pace through a parkway, foregoing the freeway) I was thinking about walking and those that walk for a purpose such as Nipun and his wife, although at the time I was thinking of another walker's story I had just read. I thought of all the books I've read about others' pilgrimages and how my little hikes reveal to me in small ways what others learn on their longer journeys. It came to my mind that if I had the opportunity and time to walk one of these long walks, the Camino, the APT, the PCT, and IAT, I wouldn't be doing it to write a book or to change the world, but I could expect it to change my world vision. If we change our vision, such as Nipun requests, we do change the world, though, don't we?
Amazing speech nipun. It has been amazing knowing about you. It is really shaking selfish and insecure person in me and temping me to start giving - in whatever small way until it becomes a habit. Thanks for showing new way of living.
This is the most insightful and inspirational speech about the adventure of their pilgrimage in India and the lessons learned during this journey. Thank you very much for sharing with all of us.
I will always remember these four key words - Witness, Accept, Love and Know thyself. These four words are like mantra to me to remember and practice all through our day to remind myself about Nipun's insights.
Thank you.
very inspiring and thought provoking article, feel pleaure to read this .:)
Truly inspirational. However, temper your kindness with pragmatism. Feeding wheat flour to ants may be an act of micro kindness but don't try that with snakes. When bit by a cobra, most you can do is to follow the 'A' in the WALK model before turning blue.
Thanks to Nepun Mehta for enlivining each of our life's and sharing your thought with us..........it has greatly moved me and changed my life.....
i was lead here again by the new grad speech .. one of my favorite reads ever still HUGS
I feel myself blessed to read this beautiful article. Though i have read it a lot of times, each time i read it , i learn something new. Thank You :) Its one of the most amazing blogs i have read.
Thanks a lot for sharing.:)
Awe-inspiring and awesome article!!!
Thank you I will carry these thoughts on my daily walks
Nothing new in this article or speech. Its like remaking the older version of a film BUDHA back. Its becoming a fashion for the so called elite saying, " I'm also experienced the suffers". The speaker doesn't know what the real life means so its make him some difference. In B.C Gowtham Budha changed himself from a 4(WALK) incidents.
Modern education system doesn't teach for the mind growing process its only teaching for the industrial market driven process.
Nipun, Both of you are doing greatest job and very few people are devotee like both of you. Both of you have started your journey of SEVA at very young age. Thank you very much for explaining very true meaning of WALK. May God bless you for your long journey for betterment of the people around the globe.
Very productive
Day after day I become more and more certain that there is already enough wisdom out there to make us live a fulfilled and immensely happy life! :) It always boils down to the same: Be mindful, be grateful... Truly BE! And then, when you have yourself sorted out completelly, you realise that it is not about you anymore.
If you analyse the article, or any other inspiring one, you will find that all the takeaway points
can be pretty much fitted in 3-4 categories on the sorts of "mindfulness" "gratitude (take everything as a gift)" etc.). There are lots written about this (From philosophy (I am quite stoic myself :P), to modern works like the book "Flow"... Endless quotes and frameworks (Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues) etc.) Anyway, my point? We have the information! Please let's DO something about all this! There is NO justification for any of us not being fulfilled and happy. :) Let me leave you with a powerful quote on a new comment to illustrate gratitude. Don't be scared about the religious feeling it has... ignore that if you please... just take the main point, the one of gratitude:
Heaven is available to the Muslim and Jew, even to Catholic… heaven is even available to atheist… but often the atheist does not find heaven because the atheist is full of conflict, full of
pushing away. Religions are important… religions are beliefs systems that get people to faith, but faith, faith is trust in life... trust in that anything life brings you is a gift... even when it seems like it is a pile of crap. If you can trust that everything life brings you is a gift, even when it seems as though is darkness and adversity, then you will trust that even death is a gift, because after all... what does life bring everybody eventually but death... and if you can trust that even death is a gift... then surely... you will go to heaven. If you can trust that everything life brings you is a gift... if you can really chose to have faith... then you remove your heart from anxiety, from stress, form conflict... and you replace it with peace, creativity and acceptance... then you have found heaven on earth. (Brother David Steindl Rast )
Compare with a quote from your article "When the things around you are seen as gifts, they are no longer a means to an end; they are the means and the end"
Similar right? We have it sorted! Let’s do something about it!
Antonio
[Hide Full Comment]@antoniogbo
still Re-reading. Kudos Nipun for enlivening others.
GREAT........INSPIRING........ my husband introduced this to me and what....enjoyed getting shaken up.....very thought provoking.
Respected Sir,
I wish I could walk like Budhaa,Shankaracharya, SRI Gandhiji, SWAMI Vivekanandji , ACHARYA Tulsidasji or like you with an empty hand.
A courageous advanture for a person like uou.
WITH REGARDS-gdshah
Some people are brave ~ courageous ~ blissful. Nipun is among those and they pull others and show the way that generosity is possible and not linked to the wealth you own.
Really blessed after reading it and wish many will get blessed and not just inspired.
Thanks ...Gopal
This highlights the depth of simplicity. We have things so backwards.
This has been in my mind for over a month and finally I blogged on it. http://everydaygeeta.blogsp....
Thoughtful and inspiring are the words that come to mind. Thank You.
I loved this piece very true especially when he says
make it a point, instead, to acknowledge mystery and welcome rich questions ... questions that nudge you towards a greater understanding of this world and your place in it.
many of us do not know our place in this universe feeling that we are minute hence dont care less
brilliant and thoughtprovoking even at my seventies. This is what our ancestors did walking from Kanyakumari to badrinath in the himalayas and had this ennobling experience
narasimhan
Very beautiful speech that reminded me to take life easy and embrace it. I received clarity on my confusion regarding, "Accepting what is given vs Need to grow" Thank you for that. My eyes welled up in tears for the act of giving water by the lady who walked for 10 KMs to fetch water. The importance of silence was beautifully expressed in the line: "A melody, after all, can onle created with the silence in between the notes.
Am blessed to know you, Nipun, and call you a friend. Many bows...Marsha
Such profound advice can only come from a heart and mind of one who has experienced the richness of life way beyond the rat race and aggressiveness found in this materialistic world! I hope the Class of 2012 of UPENN are indeed moved to follow it!!
It is simple yet soo deep! Thank you for motivationg the future generations!
Truly inspiring. A fantastic piece, every single word coming out of deep experiences.
It tells us again the the real India lives in our villages. It reminds all of us that we can be happy by simply loving, giving, being kind, accepting life as it unfolds, and always look within.
The best line was perhaps, do not go through life, grow through life.
Hats off to Nipun and his wife.
We pray to our beloved AMMA to shower Her blessings to both of them, and pray for all success in all their endeavours.
It is absolutely beautiful, had tears of 'love' in my eyes-----
Veena Kapoor
Truly inspiring..
thanks i wont fly i will walk
Amazing article!!an eye opener to most of us who have have not realised the art of submitting,giving,receiving,unconditionally.
Just a couple of questions (without malice)...did Mr Mehta wing his way back to the safety and comfort of the US after his walk? Second, he has not written his wife's name or how she reacted to the walk. (or, are we supposed to know her only as his wife, and nothing else)?
very inspiring indeed . an eye opener for me . thanks for sharing your thoughts & experiences
Excellent work Nipun,
It proves your name............one who is Nipun in enjoying life. May God bless you to inspire people.
( Nipun can be translated as Kushal............but not very exact)
One word sums it up - Brilliant. You are a true change agent Nipun and the world desperately needs people like you to bring about spiritual transformation and peace. What a touching and inspiring experience and so beautifully articulated. I sincerely hope and pray that our politicians draw a leaf from your chapter.(wishful thinking perhaps but nonetheless)... Kudos and a big thank you for this wonderful article...
This is so enlightening
Nipun what an amazing and an inspiring message to the young generation,it has deeply touched me.
As a speech, it is touching ! However is it suitable to the audience- I would say- NO.
The young graduates who has spent their hard earned saving to be graduate - and we are teaching them not to be ambitious but be contented , not aggressive but considerate, not game changer but game player- this sounds alright after you have lived life, understood and experienced its invincibility-but not to the young graduate whom we need to encourage to go and conquer the world...
While I salute Nipuns' selflessness, his sagely advice, I strongly disagree to his teaching these to the young guys and sucking out their enthusiasm for the life yet to start.
Truly inspiring. Realised what enormous wealth I have -my mind and the ability to walk. It is absolutely fantastic that a person can have such a clear thinking while delivering a speech! Blessed are those who had the opportunity to hear / read these wonderful thoughts.
CK Chandrasekharan
What a beautiful speech! My friend Asheesh shared this with me, and I am so glad I read it. Truly an inspiration for me in my life. I recently had the honor of delivering the student keynote speech at my own MBA graduation from the Penn State Smeal College of Business, and it was centered on a story of walking as well. (If you are interested, here is the link: http://slidesha.re/KQzLRl)
You have shown the wisdom and beauty of accepting the only pace that you can take for a journey that cannot be run. Thank you!
Feed the ants. Don't just go thru life, Grow thru life. W.A.L.K. Thank you for sharing this meditation.
Amazing.....its most important to be "grounded"......bravo !
It is highly motivating. This made to ponder the inner and come out with peaceful state of mind.
Ajayakumar.P
Wow, I like the way speaker's experience is brought out. An encouraging speech!!!
wonderful!
There is much to be learned by merely breathing into the Spirit we all have within our hearts and asking to be lead. Of ourselves we can accomplish nothing. But, letting go of past and future and following that inner voice's words, directions, and feelings will lead you to insights that our hard to believe. Try it. Breath deeply within the heart and say: Of myself I can do nothing. Please guide me, give me your words, thoughts and feelings. Then without trying of thinking, just listen and follow the guidance. It seems to be leading you nowhere but trust and you will find what seems impossible.
That was an amazing speech Nipun! I always love hearing tidbits about your pilgrimmage and the wisdom in your words helps me to remember that I need to stop and enjoy my surroundings. Hope you and the wife are doing well :)
I agree that this is a fantastic article, would love to have been there to hear it in person.
I think everyone can be guilty sometimes of not taking time out to appreciate the wonderful things that fill our world, and more often or not the most simplest of things.
If we all change the way we treat ourselves and the world, eventually every person on this planet would become the happy and content person they seek to be.
Very ennobling speech. One is reminded of the Venerable Sage of Kanchi (Paramacharya) who followed the illustrious path of Adi Sankara in a walkng pilgrimage across India. He too wished to witness the nobility of the people of our countryside, who have so much to teach us. He in turn also blessed them with his compassion to help them face the harsh realities of life.
Very inspiring... Very Touching..
It is very inspiring and thought provoking.....You are truly blessed to experience thing that you only read in books. Your stupendous desire to experience the greatness of simple things in life this way is truly amazing.
That was really amazing talk. Took me a while to read it line by line but really mind blowing and inspiring.
Another comment disappeared before I replied. Well, I can't say what hurt the feelings of the Asian Culture is true or directed to them. It was meant for a short time punishments to the woman, thief and money launderer in a swift way as words and sentences would tell authorities---what?
Second reason, was to return the money to the needy beneficiaries or to the careless donors.
That is why I sympathize for looking someone who demonize a certain community who had no stakes with me. I was fool for that.
Hats off to you, Mr. Mehta! The article is simply Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing.
Beautiful. Mt Gandhi discovered. True india is found. Wish our Political leaders in India read and learn to WALK.
Thank you too.
This has come at an intersection in my life, today is the beginning of a new walk for me. Thank you
That was so beautiful. In this world when goodness is viewed sceptically ( read secret agenda), this was an endorsement on being human.
Heartwarming!! Thank you for sharing the joy and spreading the message.
W-A-L-K= witness always, like a kid
Let us walk and even own it...just need how-easiest way of making it heaven.
Fantastic article , written with utmost sincerity and honesty; two items which are becoming rarer and rarer every day in the rat race for materialistic progress and so called achievements!! An open look in to the broader throbbing world and trying to live in it with true participation can make us all Walk Taller literally and make this earth itself a heaven. Humility, compassion, optimism and belief in self and utmost modesty ; all these shine like gems in this article. I am made aware now, that I lack these and I bow my head and thank you immensely for firing my imagination with this spark to help me become a humble human being with a better heart and to lead a purposeful life. Thanks once again
Very inspiring article. Next time i take my morning walk i will remember what walk means.
I am delighted to have read the passage on W-A-L-K. I am deeply touched
Humbling !!!
Thank you too. truth is only thing I can offer...name a topic you would like.
Thank you for sharing......the world's desperate for the truth!
AMAZING !! INSPIRATIONAL !! SIMPLY GREAT !!
Well, projects are as many as stars. If people looking innocent don't appreciate then there they are. Because the work is about compassion and grounded is nature
Truly humbling and intensely inspirational!
You have epitomized the essence of our ethos and underpinned the importance of staying sanely and steadily grounded.
Thank you for shared wisdom
Thank you for sharing your story, experience and learning.
wish i had heard this talk when i graduated!! in deep gratitude for this talk...
Awesome
,it sums up what it is to be a loving christen.It is simply Christ's teachings no matter what your faith is. this should always be a reminder what life is meant to be,should we at times forget.
I walked many times and enjoyed travels but mine were planned unlike the couple.
I remember visiting my brother who is legsless and back the bus punctured one of its legs. I and two others went into the forest to see what it hosts. We came back to only find the bus left us. We walked about 4 hours in Masaai highlands and unlike other other communities, Masaai have a strict culture. We needed water badly and it already got dark. Only costume and leaves on my head and thighs, I got close to where they were celebrating on firewoods. Their leader who held a flame on his hand was impressed and I called my friends who were nearby. We were given water and milk. I don't costumes but my need of water forced me. So I learned cultures are very different where ties on some cultures are disguised. I also learned if one lives in slums he should look a slumdog like I am now. I can tomorrow be an urban dog. My experience on different cultures strengthened my ability of Human Engineering.
Though I believe I mastered Africans' way of life, I tried to see how westerners can be comforted. Some town tourists didn't return greetings as as they kept distance looking wary, so I thought I was discomforting them. I still feel that it would be great to meet one and impress. And Change is worked out. One student I once influenced his education promised me something very great 2days ago. So, I can tell priceless tags are sometimes greater than priced items. Though my facial outwards are not very interesting for first time am really honest. When I saw most people corrupted, crimed, harmful and non-punished I thought resorting and later re-correcting. Resorting for important celestial and earth change should not damage my name to open websites, social pages, create awareness against terrorism and improve social understandings which will lead religion and culture tolerance among all. Best known to adults or wise people am not doing all these things to clean my name from previous cases or because of way out of poverty. I may have made some statements telling people "here is the cash key" I may say that because of many reasons for:
1. Some people get motivations only when money involves.
2.Some people only respect when money is talked.
3.People's attentions can be gained
4.people will be productive and supportive.
Well, for me and my NGO which is the core of the changes need funds as the only way of achieving simplest change to set off. Imagine pals, I am to build a website from my store and countless people spread rumors against me saying I am an agent of Non-muslims where these accusations alone can be not only deadly but also assassinations. Still even didn't receive a penny and fewer people who would back me in case are to disbelieve me. You can then see how brave I am to disregard them and move forward. I need backings and change is here sirs and madams. This is Noor saying some truth out to wise men and women.
[Hide Full Comment]Very inspiring speech, with a great vision , the facts were simple yet thought provoking,
Hope to meet this lovely couple sometime in my life
Chandra Natarajan
Thanks
what a gift to the graduates! Bless you both.
Thank you. It is beautiful.
I've not read something as amazing as this in a long long time...u've deeply touched my heart & my sensibilities & given me new eyes with which to see the world....i salute u for having the courage to do what u wanted to & not give in to the monotony & average-ness of this materialistic world which frowns on everything new...but ur convictions have given me new hope that life can be lead from the heart....thankx again
Nipun. It is with the humble-est spirit, to thank you for your joy in sharing all that binds us together. Peace.
Dear Nipun
Thanks for sharing
Thank you Nipun, for continuing to be an inspiration, for truly making a difference in the world one step at a time, one being at a time, and in the ripples who knows how many are touched. My heart is full with gratitude at knowing you and Guri -
"It is precisely these small, often invisible, acts of inner transformation that mold the stuff of our being, and bend the arc of our shared destiny." What a beautiful commencement address. Thank you :)
thank you my friend. i'm glad to be at "one".
Thank you for sharing, inspiring and being the change. :) beautiful and touching to the soul.
Absolutely marvellous!Sets you thinking and change direction.
Deeply moving!
Very beautiful. Namaste--Peace, Love, Connection to All.
Nippun, thank you so much for posting this and sharing your journey. The Daily Good keeps me grounded, like a kite with a steady hand guiding it through the air.
Blessings, Nipun.
In 1970-71 my husband and I took a trip from Spain to India. Although we did not walk we travelled slowly getting to know the people and we were regularly invited and treated well by almost everyone. The experience changed my entire world view as I saw how some people could uncomplainingly make something out of nothing; in contrast to the attitudes of my fellow countrymen (US).
Wow.. It takes lot of courage to WALK, but the love that has filled in you couple is so true and pure.
I wish Both of you keep growing with your years together.
Thank You for being so true and kind...)
Every word is so grounded and so beautiful.