[Nekonvenčný maturitný prejav dostáva potlesk: Prednášateľ maturity z Pennsylvánskej univerzity v roku 2012 bol pre školu Ivy League netradičnou voľbou. Aby oslovili svojich novopečených absolventov, túžiacich po oslnivej kariére, vybrali muža, ktorý sa nikdy v dospelosti neuchádzal o prácu. Muž, ktorý už takmer desať rokov nepracoval za mzdu a ktorého poslaním je jednoducho „priniesť úsmevy na svet a pokoj v mojom srdci“. Tento mimoradarový reproduktor spustil svoju adresu prekvapivou radou. V nadväznosti na štyri kľúčové poznatky získané z radikálnej 1000 km pešej púte po dedinách Indie. Keď zakončil svoj jedinečný príhovor na Deň promócie, more študentov v šiltovkách a oblečení v šatách sa zdvihlo na nohy a zatlieskalo v stoji. Nasleduje úplný prepis prejavu Nipun Mehta. --DailyGood Editors]
Ďakujem svojim váženým priateľom, prezidentke Amy Gutmannovej, propoštovi Vincentovi Priceovi a reverendovi Charlesovi Howardovi za pozvanie podeliť sa o niekoľko úvah o tejto radostnej príležitosti. Je mi cťou a privilégiom zablahoželať vám – triede UPenn v roku 2012.
Práve teraz každý z vás sedí na dráhe života pripravený na vzlet. Ste niektorí z najtalentovanejších, elitných a najuznávanejších absolventov vysokých škôl na svete – a ste nepopierateľne pripravení lietať. Takže to, čo sa chystám povedať ďalej, môže znieť trochu bláznivo. Chcem vás vyzvať, aby ste nelietali, ale kráčali . Pred štyrmi rokmi ste vošli do tohto úžasného laboratória vyššieho vzdelávania. Dnes so vztýčenými hlavami kráčate po diplomy. Zajtra vstúpite do sveta nekonečných možností.
Ale chôdza v našom vysokorýchlostnom svete bohužiaľ upadla do nemilosti. Samotné slovo „chodec“ sa používa na označenie niečoho obyčajného a bežného. Chôdza so zámerom má však hlboké korene. Austrálska domorodá mládež chodí na prechádzky ako na rituál prechodu; Indiánske kmene vykonávajú vízie v divočine; v Európe po stáročia ľudia kráčali po ceste Camino de Santiago, ktorá sa rozprestiera naprieč celým Španielskom. Takíto pútnici kladú jednu nohu pevne pred druhú, aby držali krok s rytmom vesmíru a kadenciou vlastného srdca.
V roku 2005, šesť mesiacov po našom manželstve, sme sa s manželkou rozhodli, že si to sami „vyspejeme“ a vyberieme sa na pešiu púť. Na vrchole nášho úsilia s ServiceSpace sme uvažovali, či máme kapacitu odložiť náš svetský úspech a hľadať vyššie pravdy. Stalo sa vám niekedy, že ste na niečo mysleli a potom ste vedeli, že sa to muselo stať? Bola to jedna z tých vecí. Tak sme predali všetky naše hlavné veci a kúpili si jednosmernú letenku do Indie. Naším plánom bolo ísť do ášramu Mahátmu Gándhího, keďže bol pre nás vždy inšpiráciou, a potom ísť na juh. Medzi nami dvoma sme si vyčlenili dolár na deň, väčšinou na vedľajšie veci – čo znamenalo, že naše prežitie sme museli úplne závisieť od láskavosti cudzincov. Jedli sme akékoľvek ponúkané jedlo a spali sme kdekoľvek.
Teraz musím povedať, že takéto nápady prichádzajú s varovaním: neskúšajte to doma, pretože váš partner nemusí práve vítať tento druh medových týždňov. :-)
Pre nás bola táto prechádzka púťou -- a naším cieľom bolo jednoducho byť v priestore väčšom ako naše egá a umožniť súcitu, aby nás viedol v nespisovných skutkoch služby na ceste. Mohli by sme si to napriek tomu, že sme sa úplne zbaviť komfortnej zóny a zvyknutých identít, „zachovať skutočné“? To bola naša výzva.
Nakoniec sme za tri mesiace prešli 1000 kilometrov. V tom období sme sa stretli s tým najlepším aj najhorším z ľudskej povahy – nielen v druhých, ale aj v nás samých .
Krátko potom, čo sme ukončili púť, môj strýko náhodne položil otázku za milión dolárov pri jedálenskom stole: "Tak, Nipun, čo si sa naučil z tejto prechádzky?" Nevedel som, kde začať. Ale celkom spontánne mi prišla na myseľ skratka -- PRECHÁDZKA --, ktorá zahŕňala kľúčové lekcie , ktoré sme sa naučili a stále sa učíme, dokonca dodnes. Keď začnete ďalšiu fázu svojej cesty, chcem sa o tieto nugety podeliť s nádejou, že by to mohlo trochu osvetliť aj vašu cestu.
W v WALK znamená Svedok. Keď kráčate, doslova vidíte viac. Vaše zorné pole je takmer 180 stupňov v porovnaní so 40 stupňami, keď cestujete rýchlosťou 62 mph. Vyššie rýchlosti rozmazávajú naše periférne videnie, zatiaľ čo chôdza v skutočnosti rozširuje vaše plátno a dramaticky posúva objekty vašej pozornosti. Napríklad na našej púti sme si každý deň všimli východ slnka a ako sa pri západe slnka zhromažďujú vtáky na vlastnej malej párty. Namiesto pridávania priateľov na Facebooku online sme sa v skutočnosti spriatelili osobne, často pri šálke horúceho „čaj“. Život okolo nás ožil novým spôsobom.
Tempo chôdze je rýchlosť komunity. Tam, kde vysoké rýchlosti uľahčujú odlúčenie, pomalšie tempo nám dáva príležitosť komunikovať.
Keď sme prechádzali vidiekom v Indii rýchlosťou niekoľkých míľ za hodinu, bolo jasné, koľko sa toho môžeme naučiť jednoduchým svedectvom o spôsobe života dedinčanov. Celý ich mentálny model je odlišný -- násobenie túžob je nahradené základným naplnením ľudských potrieb. Keď už nie ste zaujatí tým, že budete žiadať viac a viac vecí; potom len beriete, čo je dané, a dávate, čo sa berie. Život je opäť jednoduchý. Farmár nám to vysvetlil takto: "Nemôžete prinútiť oblaky, aby viac pršalo, nemôžete prinútiť slnko, aby svietilo menej. Sú to len dary prírody - berte, alebo nechajte tak."
Keď sú veci okolo vás vnímané ako dary, už nie sú prostriedkom na dosiahnutie cieľa; sú prostriedkom a cieľom. A tak sa pastier kráv bude starať o svoje zvieratá so súcitom otca, dedinská žena bude bez stopy hnevu čakať 3 hodiny na meškajúci autobus, dieťa strávi nespočetné množstvo hodín fascinované hviezdami v galaxii a hľadaním svojho miesta v rozľahlom kozme.
Takže s dnešnými modernizovanými nástrojmi, ktoré máte k dispozícii, nenechajte sa bez povšimnutia priblížiť z bodu A do bodu B na diaľniciach života; skúste sa prejsť po uličkách sveta, kde budete svedkami hlboko nerozlučného spojenia so všetkým živým.
A v WALK znamená Prijať. Pri chôdzi týmto spôsobom sa ocitnete na dlani vesmíru a postavíte sa čelom k jeho realite. Kráčali sme na vrchole leta, v nemilosrdných teplotách presahujúcich 120 stupňov. Niekedy sme boli hladní, vyčerpaní a dokonca aj frustrovaní. Naše telá boleli už len po tom pití vody navyše, ešte pár chvíľ v tieni alebo len po tej malej iskierke ľudskej láskavosti. Veľakrát sme dostali ten kúsok navyše a naše srdcia prekypovali vďačnosťou. Niekedy nás však náhle odmietli a museli sme si vypestovať schopnosť prijať dary skryté aj v tých najnáročnejších chvíľach.
Spomínam si na jeden taký deň, keď sme sa blížili k motorestu po pustej diaľnici. Keď okolo prefrčali ťažké nákladné autá, uvideli sme znamenie, ktoré oznamovalo, že hostia sú ubytovaní zadarmo. "Ach, náš šťastný deň," pomysleli sme si potešene. Nedočkavo som vošla dnu. Muž za stolom zdvihol zrak a ostro sa spýtal: „Ste tu, aby ste videli chrám? Jednoduché áno z mojich pier by nám okamžite poskytlo plné jedlo a pokoj na noc. Ale nebola by to pravda. Namiesto toho som povedal: "No, technicky, nie, pane. Sme na pešej púti, aby sme sa stali lepšími ľuďmi. Ale radi by sme navštívili chrám." Pomerne náhle odpovedal: "Hm, prepáčte, nemôžeme vás hostiť." Niečo na jeho strohej arogancii vyvolalo množstvo negatívnych emócií. Chcel som na oplátku urobiť pochabú poznámku a pri odchode zabuchnúť dvere. Namiesto toho som držal svoje rozhorčené ego na uzde. V tom stave fyzického a duševného vyčerpania mi to pripadalo ako herkulovská úloha – ale cez vnútorný nepokoj sa vo vnútri objavil hlas, ktorý mi povedal, aby som prijal realitu tohto okamihu.
Nastala vo mne tichá metamorfóza. Pokorne som pustil svoju obranu, prijal som svoj osud v ten deň a bez reptania som sa otočil na odchod. Možno, že muž za pultom vo mne vycítil tento posun, pretože práve vtedy skríkol: "Tak čo vlastne zase robíš?" Po mojom krátkom vysvetlení povedal: "Pozri, nemôžem ťa kŕmiť ani ťa hostiť, pretože pravidlá sú pravidlá. Ale vzadu sú toalety. Môžete spať mimo mužskej toalety a vaša žena môže spať mimo ženskej toalety." Hoci bol láskavý, jeho ponuka mi pripadala ako soľ do rán. Nezostávalo nám nič iné, len prijať.
V ten deň sme sa postili a v tú noc sme spali v kúpeľniach. Malá lož nám mohla kúpiť vylepšenie, ale nebola by to žiadna púť. Keď som išiel spať so stenou, ktorá ma oddeľovala od mojej manželky, mal som túto krásnu, ničím nerušenú víziu páru, ktorý šplhal na vrchol hory z dvoch rôznych strán. Uprostred tohto náročného výstupu, keď muž uvažoval, že to vzdá, preletel okolo malý vrabec s touto radou: "Neprestávaj, priateľu. Tvoja žena sa veľmi teší, že ťa uvidí na vrchole." Stále stúpal. O pár dní neskôr, keď sa manželka ocitla na pokraji toho, že skončí, sa malý vrabček objavil s rovnakou správou. Krok za krokom ich láska udržala ich cestu až na vrchol hory. Navštívená včasnou milosťou tejto vízie som vyronila niekoľko vďačných sĺz -- a tento príbeh sa stal skúšobným kameňom nielen v našom vzťahu, ale aj v mnohých iných ušľachtilých priateľstvách.
Preto vás povzbudzujem, aby ste si pestovali vyrovnanosť a prijímali všetko, čo vám život hodí do lona – keď to urobíte, budete požehnaní pohľadom na vnútornú premenu, ktorú si budete musieť ponechať navždy.
L v WALK znamená lásku. Čím viac sme sa učili od prírody a budovali si akúsi vnútornú odolnosť voči vonkajším okolnostiam, tým viac sme upadali do svojho prirodzeného stavu -- ktorým bolo milovať. V našej dominantnej paradigme, Hollywood zákerne kooptoval slovo, ale láska, o ktorej tu hovorím, je druh lásky, ktorý vie len jednu vec - dávať bez viazanosti. Čisto. Nezištne.
Väčšina z nás verí, že ak chceme dať, musíme najprv niečo dať. Problém je v tom, že keď robíme inventúru toho, čo máme, takmer vždy robíme chyby v účtovníctve. Oscar Wilde raz vtipkoval: „V dnešnej dobe ľudia poznajú cenu všetkého, ale hodnotu ničoho. Zabudli sme, ako hodnotiť veci bez cenovky. Preto, keď sa dostaneme k našim najhojnejším darom - ako je pozornosť, vhľad, súcit - pomýlime si ich hodnotu, pretože sú, no, neoceniteľné.
Na našej pešej púti sme si všimli, že tí, ktorí mali najmenej, boli najľahšie vybavení na uctenie si neoceniteľného. V mestských mestách ľudia, s ktorými sme sa stretli, začali s nevyslovenou ostražitosťou: "Prečo to robíš? Čo odo mňa chceš?" Na druhej strane, na vidieku nás dedinčania takmer vždy stretli s otvorenou zvedavosťou, ktorá sa priamo spustila: "Hej, kamarát, nevyzeráš ako miestny. Aký je tvoj príbeh?"
Na dedinách sa vaša hodnota neposudzovala podľa vizitky, profesijnej siete alebo platu. Táto vrodená jednoduchosť im umožnila milovať život a vážiť si všetky jeho súvislosti.
Extrémne chudobní dedinčania, ktorí si nemohli dovoliť ani vlastné jedlo, si často požičiavali jedlo od svojich susedov, aby nás nakŕmili. Keď sme sa pokúsili odmietnuť, jednoducho vysvetlili: "Pre nás je hosťom Boh. Toto je naša obeta pre božstvo vo vás, ktoré nás navzájom spája." Ako by to niekto mohol odmietnuť? Pouliční predavači nás často obdarúvali zeleninou; Vo veľmi dojímavej chvíli jeden bezruký predavač ovocia raz trval na tom, že nám dá kúsok vodného melóna. Každý, bez ohľadu na to, aký je starý, by nám s radosťou dával pokyny, aj keď si nimi nebol úplne istý. :) A stále si pamätám tú ženu, ktorá nám štedro dávala vodu, keď sme boli extrémne smädní - len aby som neskôr zistila, že musela prejsť 10 kilometrov o 4:00, aby dostala to jedno vedro vody. Títo ľudia vedeli dávať nie preto, že by mali veľa, ale preto, že vedeli milovať život. Nepotrebovali žiadny úver ani uistenie, že sa niekedy vrátite, aby ste im to vrátili. Skôr len verili v kruh dávať.
Keď ožijete týmto spôsobom, uvedomíte si, že skutočná štedrosť nezačína vtedy, keď máte niečo, čo by ste mohli dať, ale skôr vtedy, keď vo vás nie je nič, čo by sa vám snažilo vziať. Dúfam teda, že zo všetkých svojich vzácnych chvíľ urobíte prejav láskyplného života.
A nakoniec, K in WALK znamená Know Thyself.
Mudrci nás už dlho informovali, že keď bezvýhradne slúžime druhým, posúvame sa od mňa k nám a hlbšie sa spájame s tým druhým. Táto matrica vzájomných prepojení umožňuje hlbokú kvalitu duševného pokoja. Ako tiché jazero nenarušené vlnami alebo vlnkami sme potom schopní jasne vidieť, kto sme a ako môžeme žiť v hlbokej harmónii s prostredím okolo nás.
Keď jedna noha kráča, druhá odpočíva. Konanie a bytie musia byť v rovnováhe.
Naša racionálna myseľ chce právom zabezpečiť pokrok, ale naša intuitívna myseľ tiež potrebuje priestor na to, aby sa objavilo vznikajúce, neznáme a neplánované. Robiť je určite dôležité, ale keď si nie sme vedomí nášho vnútorného ekosystému, sme tak zaujatí našimi plánmi a činmi, že si nevšimneme hromadenie duševných zvyškov. V priebehu času začne tento nevedomý vnútorný hluk znečisťovať naše motivácie, našu etiku a nášho ducha. A preto je dôležité upokojiť myseľ. Melódia sa predsa dá vytvoriť len s tichom medzi tónmi.
Ako sme kráčali – boli svedkami, prijímali, milovali – naša vízia sveta sa skutočne vyjasňovala. Táto jasnosť, paradoxne, zmazala naše predchádzajúce rozdiely medzi mnou a my, vnútornou transformáciou verzus vonkajším vplyvom a sebectvom verzus nesebeckosť. Boli neoddeliteľne spojené. Keď mi chudobný farmár dal na rozlúčku paradajku, z očí sa mu kotúľali slzy, dostával som alebo dával? Keď som sedel celé hodiny v tichej meditácii, bol úžitok iba môj, alebo by sa rozprúdil do sveta? Keď som zdvihol kopu sena z hlavy starého muža a niesol som ho kilometer, slúžil som jemu alebo sebe?
To znamená, neprechádzajte životom, ale rásť životom. Bude pre vás ľahké a lákavé dospieť k reflexívnym odpovediam – ale dajte si namiesto toho záležať na tom, aby ste uznali tajomstvo a privítali bohaté otázky ... otázky, ktoré vás postrčia k lepšiemu pochopeniu tohto sveta a vášho miesta v ňom.
To je Chôdza. A dnes, v tomto dôležitom míľniku vášho života, ste prišli a budete chodiť. Dúfam, že keď budete kráčať do sveta, ktorého cieľom je čoraz viac prekračovať rýchlosť myslenia, každý si spomeniete na dôležitosť cestovania rýchlosťou premýšľania. Dúfam, že si nájdete čas a budete svedkami našich veľkolepých prepojení. Že prijmeš krásne dary života, aj keď nie sú pekné, že budeš nezištne milovať a snažiť sa spoznať svoju najhlbšiu podstatu.
Chcem to uzavrieť príbehom o mojom pradedovi. Bol to muž s malým majetkom, ktorý stále dokázal darovať každý jeden deň svojho života. Každé ráno mal rituál na prechádzke - a ako kráčal, usilovne kŕmil mravčie kopce pozdĺž svojej cesty malými štipkami pšeničnej múky. Teraz je to akt mikroštedrosti taký malý, že by sa to mohlo zdať úplne zanedbateľné vo veľkej schéme vesmíru. Ako na tom záleží? Dôležité je, že ho to vo vnútri zmenilo. A dobrota môjho pradeda formovala svetonázor mojich starých rodičov, ktorí zas ovplyvnili pohľad svojich detí – mojich rodičov. Dnes sú tieto mravce a mravčie kopce preč, ale duch môjho pradeda je pevne zakorenený vo všetkých mojich činoch a ich budúcich vlnách. Sú to presne tieto malé, často neviditeľné, akty vnútornej transformácie, ktoré formujú podstatu nášho bytia a ohýbajú oblúk nášho spoločného osudu.
Na tvojej prechádzke, dnes i vždy, ti želám, aby oči videli mraveniská a srdce, aby ich s radosťou kŕmilo.
Nech si požehnaný. Zmeňte seba - zmeňte svet.
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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.