【另类毕业演讲赢得全场起立鼓掌： 2012年宾夕法尼亚大学的毕业典礼演讲嘉宾可谓是常春藤盟校中一个非同寻常的选择。为了向即将开启辉煌职业生涯的毕业生们致辞，校方选择了一位成年后从未求职过的男士。这位男士近十年未曾领取过任何报酬，他自述的人生使命仅仅是“为世界带来微笑，为我的内心带来平静”。这位特立独行的演讲嘉宾以一句令人震惊的建议开场，随后分享了他从一次穿越印度乡村、长达1000公里的徒步朝圣之旅中获得的四点重要感悟。当他结束这场独一无二的毕业典礼演讲时，身着毕业礼服、头戴毕业帽的学生们全体起立，向他致以热烈的掌声。以下是尼蓬·梅塔演讲的完整稿。——DailyGood 编辑部】
感谢我尊敬的朋友们，艾米·古特曼校长、文森特·普莱斯教务长和查尔斯·霍华德牧师，邀请我分享在这个喜庆时刻的一些感想。我荣幸地祝贺你们——宾夕法尼亚大学2012届毕业生。
此刻，你们每个人都站在人生的跑道上，蓄势待发。你们是世界上最有天赋、最优秀、最有干劲的大学毕业生——你们无疑已经准备好展翅高飞。所以，接下来我要说的话可能听起来有点不可思议。我想鼓励你们的不是飞翔，而是——行走。四年前，你们走进了这所奇妙的高等学府。今天，你们昂首挺胸，走向毕业典礼的讲台。明天，你们将踏入一个充满无限可能的世界。
但在这个快节奏的世界里，步行不幸地逐渐被人们遗忘。“行人”一词本身就用来形容平凡而普通的事物。然而，有意识地行走却有着深厚的历史渊源。澳大利亚原住民青年会进行“漫游”（walkabout）作为一种成人礼；美洲原住民部落会在荒野中进行寻梦之旅；在欧洲，几个世纪以来，人们一直沿着横跨西班牙的圣地亚哥朝圣之路前行。这些朝圣者一步一个脚印地走着，与宇宙的韵律和自己内心的节奏合而为一。
2005年，结婚六个月后，我和妻子决定“提升自我”，来一次徒步朝圣之旅。当时，我们的ServiceSpace事业正处于巅峰时期，我们不禁思考，自己是否有能力放下世俗的成功，去探寻更高的真理。你有没有过这样的经历：突然想到某件事，然后就认定它非做不可？我们当时就是这种感觉。于是，我们卖掉了所有主要家当，买了一张去印度的单程机票。我们的计划是先去甘地的静修处，因为他一直是我们学习的榜样，然后再一路向南走。我们俩每天只给自己留了一美元的预算，主要用于零星开销——这意味着，我们的生存完全依赖于陌生人的善意。我们吃什么就吃什么，睡在哪里就睡在哪里。
不过，我必须提醒一句，这种想法需要谨慎对待：请勿在家尝试，因为你的伴侣可能不会欢迎这种蜜月方式。:-)
对我们而言，这次徒步之旅是一次朝圣——我们的目标很简单，就是超越自我，进入一个更广阔的空间，让这份慈悲指引我们，在旅途中做出不加预设的服务。彻底抛开舒适区和习以为常的身份，我们还能“保持真我”吗？这就是我们面临的挑战。
我们最终在三个月内步行了1000公里。在那段时间里，我们遇到了人性中最美好和最丑陋的一面——不仅在别人身上，也在我们自己身上。
朝圣之旅结束后不久，我叔叔在餐桌上漫不经心地抛出了一个价值百万美元的问题：“尼蓬，你从这次徒步旅行中学到了什么？”我一时不知从何说起。但就在这时，一个缩写词——WALK——突然浮现在我的脑海中，它概括了我们学到的、以及至今仍在不断学习的关键经验。在你即将开启人生新篇章之际，我想分享这些宝贵的经验，希望能以某种方式照亮你的前路。
WALK 中的 W 代表“见证”（Witness）。当你步行时，你的视野会更加开阔。你的视野几乎达到 180 度，而以 62 英里/小时的速度行驶时，视野只有 40 度。高速行驶会模糊我们的周边视觉，而步行则能拓宽你的视野，并显著改变你的注意力焦点。例如，在我们的朝圣之旅中，我们每天都能欣赏到日出，以及日落时分鸟儿们聚集在一起的景象。我们没有在网上添加 Facebook 好友，而是真正地与人面对面地结交朋友，常常一边喝着热腾腾的印度奶茶，一边交流。我们周围的生活以一种全新的方式鲜活了起来。
步行的速度是社群的速度。高速会造成人与人之间的疏离，而慢节奏则让我们有机会彼此交流。
当我们以每小时几英里的速度穿行在印度乡村时，我们逐渐意识到，仅仅通过亲眼见证村民的生活方式，我们就能学到很多东西。他们的整个思维模式都与我们不同——他们不再执着于索取更多，而是专注于满足人类的基本需求。当你不再执着于索取更多东西时，你就会接受给予的，给予被给予的。生活又变得简单起来。一位农民这样向我们解释道：“你无法让云下更多的雨，也无法让太阳晒得更少。它们只是大自然的馈赠——接受或放弃，随你便。”
当你把周围的一切视为馈赠时，它们不再是达到目的的手段；它们本身就是手段和目的。因此，牧牛人会像父亲一样慈爱地照料他的牲畜，村妇会毫无怨言地等待三个小时晚点的公交车，孩子会花费无数个小时着迷于银河系中的繁星，并在浩瀚的宇宙中寻找自己的位置。
因此，在如今现代化的工具触手可及的情况下，不要让自己在人生的高速公路上漫无目的地从 A 点飞驰到 B 点；试着走走世界的乡间小路，在那里你将会看到与所有生物之间深刻而密不可分的联系。
WALK中的A代表接受（Accept）。以这种方式行走，你便将自己置于宇宙的掌心，直面它的种种现实。我们正值盛夏，顶着超过120华氏度（约49摄氏度）的酷热高温行走。有时我们饥肠辘辘，筋疲力竭，甚至感到沮丧。我们的身体渴望着多喝一口水，多在阴凉处待一会儿，或者哪怕只是一丝人间的善意。很多时候，我们得到了这些额外的帮助，心中充满了感激。但有时，我们也会遭到断然拒绝，这时，我们必须培养一种能力，去接受即使在最艰难的时刻也隐藏着的馈赠。
我记得有一天，我们沿着一条荒凉的公路来到一家休息站。重型卡车呼啸而过，我们看到一块牌子，上面写着这里免费接待客人。“啊，真是幸运！”我们欣喜地想。我兴冲冲地走了进去。前台的男人抬起头，厉声问道：“你们是来参观寺庙的吗？”如果我简单地回答“是”，就能立刻得到一顿丰盛的晚餐和一晚的住宿。但这并非事实。于是，我说道：“嗯，严格来说，先生，我们不是来参观的。我们是在进行一次徒步朝圣之旅，为了成为更好的人。不过，我们很乐意参观寺庙。”他生硬地回答道：“呃，抱歉，我们不能接待你们。”他那傲慢无礼的态度激起了我一连串的负面情绪。我真想回敬一句冷嘲热讽，然后摔门而去。但我还是克制住了自己那份怒火。在那种身心俱疲的状态下，这感觉就像一项艰巨的任务——但在内心的挣扎中，一个声音浮现出来，告诉我接受此刻的现实。
我内心悄然发生了转变。我放下了所有防备，坦然接受了当天的命运，默默地转身离开。或许柜台后面的男人察觉到了我的这种变化，他突然大声问道：“所以，你们到底要干什么？”我简单解释之后，他说道：“听着，我不能招待你们，也不能让你们住下，因为规矩就是规矩。不过，后面有洗手间。你们可以睡在男洗手间外面，你妻子可以睡在女洗手间外面。”虽然他的好意是好的，但这番话却像在伤口上撒盐。我们别无选择，只能接受。
那天我们斋戒，那天晚上，我们睡在卫生间旁边。撒个小谎或许就能换个房间，但这算不上朝圣之旅。我和妻子隔着一堵墙入睡时，脑海中浮现出一幅美丽的景象：一对夫妇分别从山峰的两侧攀登。在艰难的攀登过程中，当丈夫想要放弃时，一只小麻雀飞过，带来了这样的劝告：“朋友，别放弃。你的妻子渴望在山顶见到你。”他继续攀登。几天后，当妻子也濒临放弃时，那只小麻雀再次出现，带来了同样的信息。一步一步，他们的爱支撑着他们最终登上了山顶。这幅及时出现的景象让我感动不已，我流下了几滴感激的泪水——这个故事不仅成为了我们爱情的基石，也成为了许多其他美好友谊的见证。
所以我鼓励你们培养内心的平静，接受生活中遇到的一切——当你这样做的时候，你将获得一种内在转变的洞察力，这种洞察力将永远属于你。
WALK中的L代表爱。我们越是向自然学习，越是培养出应对外部环境的内在韧性，就越能回归到我们自然的状态——充满爱。在当今主流社会，好莱坞悄然挪用了“爱”这个词，但我在这里所说的爱，是一种只知道一件事的爱——无条件地付出。纯粹的，无私的。
我们大多数人认为，要给予，首先得有东西可以给予。问题在于，当我们清点自己拥有的东西时，几乎总会犯一些计算错误。奥斯卡·王尔德曾妙语道：“如今，人们知道所有东西的价格，却不知道任何东西的价值。”我们已经忘记了如何去珍视那些没有标价的东西。因此，当我们面对自己最宝贵的财富——比如专注、洞察力和同情心——时，我们往往会混淆它们的价值，因为它们，嗯，是无价的。
在我们的徒步朝圣之旅中，我们注意到，那些最贫穷的人反而最懂得珍惜无价之宝。在城市里，我们遇到的人们起初都带着一种难以言说的戒备：“你们为什么要这样做？你们想从我这里得到什么？” 而在乡村，村民们几乎总是以热情洋溢的好奇心迎接我们，开门见山地说：“嘿，伙计，你看起来不像本地人。你有什么故事吗？”
在乡村，你的价值并非取决于你的名片、人脉或薪水。这种与生俱来的纯朴让他们热爱生活，珍惜人与人之间的一切联系。
那些极其贫困的村民，连自己的饭都吃不起，却常常向邻居借食物来招待我们。当我们试图拒绝时，他们会解释说：“对我们来说，客人就是上帝。这是我们献给你们心中神性的礼物，正是这份神性将我们彼此连接在一起。” 谁又能拒绝呢？街头小贩经常赠送我们蔬菜；有一次，一位没有双臂的水果摊贩坚持要给我们一片西瓜，这真是令人感动。每个人，无论老幼，都乐于为我们指路，即使他们自己也未必完全确定。:) 我至今还记得那位在我们极度口渴时慷慨地给我们水的妇人——后来才知道，她凌晨四点走了十公里路才取到那一桶水。这些人懂得给予，不是因为他们拥有很多，而是因为他们懂得热爱生活。他们不需要任何回报，也不需要我们保证会回来还钱。他们只是相信爱心会像一个循环一样传递下去。
当你以这种方式焕发活力时，你会明白真正的慷慨并非始于你拥有什么，而是始于你内心没有任何索取的念头。所以我希望你能将每一个珍贵的时刻都化作热爱生活的表达。
最后，WALK 中的 K 代表“认识你自己”。
圣贤们早已教导我们，当我们无条件地服务他人时，我们的关注点便会从“我”转向“我们”，并与他人建立更深层次的联结。这种相互关联的网络能够带来一种深邃的内心平静。如同平静的湖面，不受波涛和涟漪的扰动，我们便能清晰地洞察自我，并找到与周围环境和谐共处之道。
一只脚走路时，另一只脚就休息。行动与存在必须保持平衡。
我们的理性思维渴望确保进步，但我们的直觉思维也需要空间，让那些涌现的、未知的和计划之外的事物得以出现。行动固然重要，但如果我们忽视了自身的内在生态系统，就会过于执着于计划和行动，以至于忽略了精神残余的积累。久而久之，这些无意识的内在噪音会开始污染我们的动机、道德和精神。因此，让心灵平静下来至关重要。毕竟，旋律的创作离不开音符之间的静默。
当我们行走——见证、接纳、爱着——我们对世界的认知的确变得更加清晰。然而，这种清晰，看似矛盾，却模糊了我们之前对“我”与“我们”、“内在转变”与“外在影响”以及“自私”与“无私”的区分。它们之间有着千丝万缕的联系。当一位贫穷的农民含泪送我一颗西红柿作为临别礼物时，我是在接受还是在给予？当我静坐冥想数小时时，受益的仅仅是我个人，还是会惠及整个世界？当我帮一位老人卸下头上的干草堆，背着它走了一公里时，我是在帮助他，还是在帮助自己？
也就是说，不要只是浑浑噩噩地度过一生——要在人生中不断成长。你很容易就会不假思索地给出答案——但你应该努力去正视生活中的奥秘，并欣然接受那些引人深思的问题……这些问题会引导你更深刻地理解这个世界以及你在其中的位置。
这就是行走。今天，在你人生这个重要的里程碑时刻，你迈着步伐而来，也将迈着步伐而去。当你步入一个日益追求超越思维速度的世界时，我希望你们每个人都能铭记以思考的速度前行的重要性。我希望你们能抽出时间去见证我们之间奇妙的相互联系。我希望你们能够接受生命中美好的馈赠，即使它们并不完美；我希望你们能够练习无私地爱，并努力了解自己最深层的本质。
我想以我曾祖父的故事作为结尾。他家境并不富裕，却依然每天都尽力奉献。每天早晨，他都会去散步——散步时，他会一丝不苟地用少量的面粉喂养路边的蚁丘。这看似微不足道的善举，在浩瀚的宇宙中或许显得微不足道。但它为何如此重要呢？因为它改变了他内心。我曾祖父的善行塑造了我的祖父母的世界观，而我的祖父母又影响了他们的孩子——我的父母。如今，那些蚂蚁和蚁丘都已消失，但我曾祖父的精神却深深地融入了我的每一个行动，并影响着我未来的每一个举动。正是这些微小而往往不易察觉的内在转变，塑造了我们的人格，也改变了我们共同命运的轨迹。
在你今天以及未来的每一天的散步中，我祝愿你拥有发现蚁丘的眼睛和用快乐喂养它们的心。
愿你蒙福。改变自己，改变世界。
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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...)