I have been travelling in India this week. It is a country of immense diversity. Despairing poverty to obscene opulence. Stifling heat of the plains to the snow capped Himalayas. Austere religious practices to pumping clubs of Mumbai. India is captivating and frustrating all at the same time. Just when you feel like fleeing her shores a moment of serene beauty will draw you back into her arms. She can leave you feeling utterly confused. You will swear never to return again. But inevitably the allure of her deep essence will have you coming back again.

For me that is the ancient spiritual practices. Traditionally these practices are performed in temples with a deity. From an outside perspective it makes no sense worshipping a stone statue. But there is a lot more to it than this and anyone with a little sensitivity will feel it when stepping into the presence of a living active temple in which the traditions and practices have been maintained for 1000+ years. 

India is all about energy. The way that these temples are designed enhances the natural flow of energy. Certain things need to be in certain places for the energy to flow optimally. Vastu is the science of architecture and all temples adhere to these principles of geometry. The statue or idol is then transformed from an inert rock into a living form that has been infused with energy that subsequently reverberates that energy into its surroundings.

The purpose of going to visit a holy temple or sacred space is to dip into that energy before going out into the world to performs one’s purpose in life. Even today each neighbourhood in India has a small shrine looked after by a priest and people pop in there every morning for a few moments. It’s so sublime. But in the next instant one looks in a different direction and there rubbish thrown everywhere. Personal hygiene and cleanliness is high, but when it comes to care for the environment the awareness is still frightfully low. Yes there’s a billion people and waste management must be hard, but the governments need to do better. One only has to look at Japan to know that it can be done.

If you have never been to India, put it on your bucket list. You will fall in love with her. You will be challenged. You will feel anger. No place in the world is perfect but if you can dip beneath the surface there is something subtle, etheric and ephemeral to take away. 

Wishing you a happy, healthy, safe 2025