The commanding foreign voice cuts through the air 5 times daily – no matter the city, town or village we visit. It always abruptly raises my gaze skyward as I inevitably lose a breath to the chanting and otherworldly sound which takes over the sky for 45 seconds. It is interesting to note that those living here do not seem to miss a beat, break a conversation, nor pull out a prayer rug in the middle of the street and begin prayer. I know that the Muslim population is far less than 10% of the population, but such a ritual seems it would have a greater outward impact. I am not certain where else on this earth so many religions may live side by side, in apparent harmony, while having such a great impact on the culture and daily life, as here in India.  Our assumption that this daily ritual is to remind the devout Muslim to pray is not correct. Rather, the booming ‘God-like voice’ is meant to announce to God that the devout are prayerful and resolute in their devotion.  And although India is 85% Hindu – which continues to be emphasized to us is a lifestyle, not religion – they are peacefully sharing this land, airspace, resource and accommodate for Muslim, Christian, B’hai, Buddhist and Jain which all consider India as home.
Another expression of devotion has come to us. And of course, Michael has been researching the peculiarities of this ever since. Identified as Naga, or slangly, ‘Hermits’, these men live in the mountains – different from those that come down for DiWali each year, and are committed toward the achievement of complete enlightenment through, what is not considered suffering, but rather devotional acts of sacrifice. They wear no clothes, nor have any human possession. For to wear anything would lead one to want more (girls, you know what I’m talking about here – if you can have one pair of shoes, why not two…).  To achieve this enlightenment they may stand for days on end on one foot, not moving, scratching or taking water. They may stay in the same spot, some for 22 years without moving or wanting of more. They may immolate themselves for days on end. They bury themselves up to their neck in sand, and remain meditative for weeks at a time. And then of course, if all of this isn’t enough, there is the penis. They tie ropes and hang bricks, they lift bricks, they pierce the shaft with swords, they …. All in search of enlightenment. All in the belief that to achieve this true and utter nirvana, they must rid themselves of all pleasure and desire – and of course, as is often the case with men, finding some way to use the penis for pain, pleasure or nirvana, the Naga, have discovered yet another way, to use their manhood.
naga-babas
Member of Naga Babas
naga-01-1024x681
Naga Babas member
naga-12-1024x786
I share this story today, as Michael and I are heading to Narendra Nagar in the Himalayas.  We are heading there to work on our personal enlightenment at Ananda, a  yoga & meditation ashram. This location is considered a seat of spirituality in India. We are heading there as our last adventure in this beautiful land, to seek and find our individual enlightenment.  I have no doubt my journey to the light will be quite uneventful and easily attainable. Michael on the other hand, having read about the path of the Hermit and the necessary steps required for true enlightenment, may have a more difficult path. I hope you will all keep Michael in your thoughts. Namaste.
*Written by Susan Kelly