Spirtuality

SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGION

HINDUISM

Writing about the experiences I have had while traveling involving personal experiences, professional, observation and psychology, religious comparison, and ADD. It has been beautiful to immerse into different religions with their rituals, traditions, celebrations, holidays, religious studies, and most importantly learning directly through people. Stories, family visits and interactions-this makes a religion fulfilling.
This experiential learning towards religion occurred with Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Christianity. Each religion has it's own special traits that make it unique, but what stays consistently the same is One God. While there are different names or references to God-it is One God that brings all religions united as ONE.

ISLAM

BUDDHISM

CHRISTIANITY

Would I Survive without Christianity?
Last night a dear friend of my Moroccan sweet heart asked the big question, "Would you convert to Islam?" For me, I believe that God unites us all whether Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam. Reading about Islam, learning about it, and living in a Muslim country-I always question and analyze the religion. But actually converting to Islam from Christianity? I gave some thought to this question and responded with, "I would really, truly have to love someone to consider doing it."
Today, sitting in church I thought about that question again as I sat staring at my beautiful priests and the cross sitting in front of me. I self-reflected on all the amazing and miraculous moments that we have shared together, the clients which he brings into my life year after year, our connection through nature trees, the ocean, the sky, mountains, fresh air, green grass, waterfalls, and hills. How could I ever, ever give all that up? The appreciation I have for my life, my purpose for being, my whole life perspective is shaped by our relationship-how could I ever, ever give that up?

What if all that stopped? What would I be left with and who would I be? What would my identity and purpose be without him? Would I still feel his love, his spirit, and our deep connection if I converted? To be honest, I do not think I would survive. It is him who continues to keep me alive and without him, I would not be Priscilla-I would be a stranger to my own reality.

Last night, I was joking about how Arabic men say when they truly love a woman, "You are my liver and intestines."(That is the translation, but it sounds better in Arabic of course). Well, God is my heart, my intestines, my liver, and my lungs. He is everything to me and he keeps me alive. He gives me hope on days of sadness. He brings people in and out my life whether in a small interaction or a friendship-it makes me believe, to inspire me, to encourage me, and give me a reason for living. They say the right things at just the right time and being in tune to these moments and the words from these people is my life-it lights up his spirit inside me....

I love my God and I love my Guru for life always, always, and forever......

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL

When it comes to the MH community, they may be in poverty, they may have no health care, they may have limited education, but what they do have is: faith. Within this community, there are four churches along with many religious ones who believe in the word of the Lord. They may have trials, triumph, and tragedies, but they have the love and support from up above

Being there in the middle of some tragedy, I saw the way they coped with it in a religious way. People had less worry and anxiety when they had the church. The prayers were made, songs were sang, and people were united with one another through his spirit. It was lovely to witness how powerful the church can be. In their life, they face many questions on a daily basis. Am I going to be able to pay the light bill this month? Can I send my children to school? Is it possible to get job when I have 6 kids to watch?

These questions are asked day in and day out, but the one thing that never needs to be questioned is faith. These communities have daily struggles, but their faith in God remains. The local residents attend service, meet on Sunday for service, the kids attend Sunday school, and they make their daily prayers and rituals. They sing songs of Jesus when they are in the church for camp or humming it to themselves on the bus.

With the struggles of life, there is undying strength in these beautiful, little hearts. The faith they have builds towards their resilience. The resilience of the pain that is building in their life or environment. They pain from seeing their friend shot and dead. The pain from being hungry day in and out.

While I can´t control what is happening, I can count on what I see in front of me. I see beauty within these children that is given by the Lord. It’s beautiful to see his presence within the smiles of the children, especially those who have a very difficult life. He loves and takes care of his children. Some will not make it, but many will live within his loving arms. Jesus will save the day.

Today, sitting in church I thought about that question again as I sat staring at my beautiful priests and the cross sitting in front of me. I self-reflected on all the amazing and miraculous moments that we have shared together, the clients which he brings into my life year after year, our connection through nature trees, the ocean, the sky, mountains, fresh air, green grass, waterfalls, and hills. How could I ever, ever give all that up? The appreciation I have for my life, my purpose for being, my whole life perspective is shaped by our relationship-how could I ever, ever give that up?

What if all that stopped? What would I be left with and who would I be? What would my identity and purpose be without him? Would I still feel his love, his spirit, and our deep connection if I converted? To be honest, I do not think I would survive. It is him who continues to keep me alive and without him, I would not be Priscilla-I would be a stranger to my own reality.

Angel on my Shoulder

When I would leave my hotel, it would usually be daylight. It was not recommended to go out at night because it was "unsafe" for tourists. There was nothing to prove this to be true so I would occasionally walk at night. Usually, this would be a short distance to the park to get some food, okay get a $1 slice of pizza. I was addicted and just love the fact it was $1 and so fresh and tasty.

When I walked around the fountain area, I saw this boy on a bike in the distance. When I walked home, I again observed this boy on a bike following behind. The last day, I saw this boy walking on foot near my hotel.
Of course, this could have been coincidental as this boy looked super innocent.

He said, "Hello" with a huge smile.
He had to be about 16 years old.

I said in a non-confrontational way
"I see you often around here."

He said, "I work across from you at the travel agency. This is my company on my shirt."

I said, "Oh I see. You like riding your bike."

He said, "Yes, I love my bike."

He would repeat his answer and he appeared a bit aloof, but very sweet and kind.
I was starting to notice that he could have Asperger’s or a similar diagnosis.

I said, "You are riding your bike at night a lot."

He said, "Yes I see you in the street and in your hotel."

I said, "Oh why do you do that? I'm not that interesting."

He said, “To help keep you safe."

We continued our conversation and I realized that he was not following me rather he was watching over me. He said that many bad people walk around at night. He was scared that something would happen to me. He didn't come up to me because he did not want to bother me.

What was interesting that this boy actually felt more nervous when he saw me talking to strangers? When I was near the pizza place, the park, and even the church. He said I should not talk to these people because they could be bad.
It was clear this boy had a disability and it was clear that he was an angel on my shoulder.

Sometimes I feel invisible to danger because my strong connection with people. It's hard for me to remember that there is possibility for harm. No matter how much I can coach them, calm them down, reason with them, challenge them, smile towards them, listen to them, and love them-danger is present within the environment and keeping safe is important.

This boy took me down the street riding on his handle bars. I gave him a few pieces of candy and we parted ways. I'll never know if he really worked at the travel agency across the street or if he just came from somewhere special......

A Divine Purpose
When your life’s purpose is to give yourself to others, you work with people because your heart is fulfilled.   One should not expect things in return at any point and time and rewards and success is natural. Material gain is not a component of your life's work and if anything it is just an accessory to your purpose. If one is working just for the material gain and does not enjoy their work, I hope for one to one day move closer to their purpose.

Lately with the people that have been brought into my life. I can't help but wonder where all these amazing people are coming from and why I deserve their wonderful hospitality and human goodness. These people are genuine, hospitable, helpful people that go out of their way for ME. Often, I sit and ponder their being. How are their souls so pure and selfless? I give back to others through my work, but I am not nearly as giving and selfless with family and friends.
And perhaps this is due to the fact I grew up in America. Where are these selfless people in the USA? How did we become so lost and self-absorbed especially in the areas I lived in LA, Orange County, and New York?

Many of these beautiful people I encounter are sent from my higher power. These experiences, interactions, smiles, mannerisms, and verbalizing/addressing concerns tune me into his spirit and thankful for my connection with these people.

In time, I realize that it is okay to ask for help. I actually feel bad when people go out of their way for me, especially strangers or people I am just meeting. Since a young age, I have been afraid to ask for “help”. I am strong, independent, and can do it alone. This is shifting in a beautiful way as human beings all need help at one point or another and it is okay to ask for it. In my case it is okay to not ask for help and be given help as well. I am realizing that God is giving me support/help/love through people. He is showing me a world of beauty with his presence. He is reminding me that I am not alone. He is showing me that what goes around comes back around...

Thank you to meeting such wonderful people and thank you to my higher power

We Don’t Believe

It's interesting that a believer, like myself, came to a country full of Atheists. When I travel, I usually enter a country with some religion i.e. Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Siekism, Judaism, etc.

Over 80 percent of the country does not believe in anything. How can this be?

The first boy I encountered shared that people are "good people" just not "religious people." It seems that many people are kind, soft spoken, gentle, and well mannered. People are not left on the streets to eat as there is not one homeless person present. From my observation, people have respect for one another. When one observes these great qualities of people, it's often associated with two things: their culture and their religion.

With this said, it's interesting the difference between cultural influence on the being and religious influence in this country. This boy pointed out that "people follow the values of Christianity, but they just don't believe." Are they holding onto the religious values or is it really just a representation of the culture?

They hold the religious values or is that their cultural values?

The culture is something that strongly shapes the individual through its family values, ritual, traditions, clothing, trends, art, history, and most importantly-daily environment.

Overtime, the environment is molding the person and culture together into one. A person who travels outside their country or has dual nationalities may connect differently. Those who live in their country for a lifetime- they represent their cultural values when religion is absent. It's not religion he is referring to by just being a good person and not committing sins rather it’s the culture they have built up without religion.

This is what a beautiful culture can do. It can stand next to religion and be proud. It built up these values without a religious base. This is powerful and this is something to be proud of. A country that has one of the highest happiness ratings, the best healthcare, education, gender equality, protection and support of mothers, and liberal government-this is a good culture. Things are not done in excess, but they are done with the heart.

Also, It goes to show that people can function having a good life without religion.

Could their life be better? Possibly yes.

Are there people who just don't identify with the whole concept of religion? Yes

Is it possible people in Iceland are not getting enough religious exposure?

Yes.

Whatever the case may be, this country is functioning pretty well, but to believe in something is better than believing in nothing.

God bless the non-believers and may their eyes, ears, and hearts be open to the word of The Lord. Pris

Veil as Protection from Strange Men

With the behavior of Arab men in Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey- it is really no wonder women wear veils and jilbabs in the Arab world. It is for religious purposes, as stated in the Koran to protect from men.

From the Quran: "O Prophet, say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to tighten them on their mantle (Jilbab), they will be recognized faster and not molested.

The Qur'an: Allah says: {O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers, to bring upon them their veils (Jalabibihinna): they will be soon recognized and not molested. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful} (33:).

Living in Muslim countries for almost a year now, it is evident to me that there is deep meaning and purpose behind wearing the veil. It has beauty, power, and protection. It makes a woman beautiful in a traditional, honorable way having a strong sense of cultural identity in one’s place and society. Most importantly the veil creates this social distance between the woman and man.  Women will usually sit next to women on the bus and train, women have their own area in the mosque, women have their own space in the hamams, and women have their own place in society. The social distance between the man and the woman is important to confirm the religious meaning of Islam.

While the veil is common in the Muslim world, it has also been a custom for Judaism and Christianity. Before the 1960s, it was customary for Roman Catholic women to wear veils or caps in to church. Also, the Virgin Mary-the mother of Christ was veiled.  The purpose of the veil was again to "guard from the sinful men."

In Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco- I have open and honest discussions with women about the meaning of the veil. The main statement, which keeps being repeated is that the veil "protects from strange men." After first-hand experience with the men on the streets and just in my lives, it is evident why women wear these veils to protect from the men. The strange men with open eyes staring right at you making you feel uncomfortable and a bit guilty or shameful. It makes you feel like you are exposing something to them or they have taken a piece of your female dignity and pride.

Often, I have become accustomed to walking out on the streets veiled on days I want peace. On days, I want to hide from men and I want to get the least amount of attention as possible. It does give me a feeling of protection and sense of belonging while decreasing the amount of attention from the strange men. While both men and women wear jilbabs and the men wear caps similar to a veil, it feels like the veil holds much higher importance and value for the woman to protect her. Men will wear the cap and women wear the veil and both represent Islam and keeping covered, but the veil has something special about it....

Something about the veil makes one feel protected....

Thou Shall Not Worry

When I travel, people often worry about my safety. While there is some kind of crime everywhere I go, there is always someone up above protecting me. I have faith in his love for me and he places me with the right people in the right places at the right time.

With my awareness, I analyze the choices that I make and the choices that we make together. It's having my protector on my side that gives me strength and encourages me to keep going and fight past the fear.

The beautifully altruistic, inconvenient, amusing, challenging, bold, enlightened, adventurous, and grand life of Priscilla Raj has been surrendered up above. God has taken over my life and all the moments, the concerns, the fears, the outcomes, the relationships, the career moves, and the life choices are in his hands. It takes away so much worry when you know that someone is ultimately taking care of things for you.  It could not be more true that when one door closes, another one opens. There may be a problem I am having with a person and I meet an amazing person to reconfirm my love and faith for God. I am protected, I am loved, and connections are set up for me/doors are opened.

Therefore, I don't live with piles of fear rather I live with faith. There have been times where my safety could have been jeopardized, but it was not. Times where I walked where I shouldn't have walked, said something I shouldn't have said, but I stayed protected and out of harms way. Something can happen at any moment, but when you have God by your side let him steer the wheel and drive.....

God presents wonderful, wonderful people on my path. Those who own the hotels or houses I stay at, the bus drivers and passengers, police and security officers, market workers, store owners, students, and those who are pure strangers that come my way and offer their kindness, assistance and heart. At moments where I do feel afraid, God sends angels as a confirmation that things are going to be okay and he's got this. The angels he sends, oh the angels he sends, I sometimes wonder if they do come from up above with such pure and selfless hearts.

It's an experience that believers can read this and understand the beautiful work of God. For many, something like this may not make sense and that's fine, but just try and have a little belief or plant a seed in your heart that something like this is possible because

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Healing Pain

Sometimes our life is imperfect for a reason we can't understand in the moment. How God could let something so horrible happen to us and why would he let it happen? Did I do something wrong to deserve such pain?

People receive pain in different doses and some are much larger than others. Your cupboard is overflowing with medicines to try and heal the pain. But you are looking in the wrong place to be healed as your medicine is right above you.

You have to turn to God, you have to praise him, and you have to continue to keep the faith. He wants you to go through this pain and find truth and turn this truth into another person´s life.

To clarify, he gives you a challenge and you learn from the experiences with it and you gain acceptance. With this acceptance and understanding of what you are given, you can educate and inspire another person’s life. It's like he gives you a set of keys to a new car, but it feels like a banged up old car. You are being given a special key to enhance that person’s life. That person is the old car who needs your help, guidance, inspiration, and mentor ship. They will never forget their past fully, but you can help them build a new future. Your story can empower them to move forward and find new ground. They don't feel like they are the only one suffering anymore.

With this said, there was a wonderful man in the congregation who shared his story and changed the lives of others. In his childhood, he encountered some truly horrific things with his parents. It was a negative upbringing that could not be wished upon any child. He engaged in the street life and stopped going to school.

With God's plan, a shining light came around and pulled him out of this dark world. She adopted him and took him out of the dark and into the light. With this he turned his life around and dedicated his life to ministry.

With his story, youth feel hope and inspiration. He is a ray of sunshine and he's right where he is supposed to be in God's arms. He has such charisma and energy with the kids and heart to heart conversations with youth. He is also going on missions to the US with his talents. He shares his story and he dedicates his life to God- beautiful

Mr. Shoe Shine

In front of the Gran white cathedral, I sat and watched this man shining shoes. He persistently worked shining away and he appeared so determined yet so tired and hungry. He did not have teeth, but he smiled through his eyes. This man truly touched me and I can’t say that about just anyone in this park. He was special and with this kind character I wanted to fill his stomach. When I touched his arm and patted his back, he felt like bones. It was clear he just worked, walked back to the village, and ate very little.

When I came once, he was happy. When I came twice, he was surprised. When I came the next day, we sat down and talked. He shared with me that he lives in a village far away in one of the mountains. I told him where I was from and he looked so happy. It was difficult to understand him, but sometimes the spirit speaks louder than words.

I just felt addicted to his spirit and this interaction specifically was confirmation-I’m in the right place doing the right thing.

Unfortunately, this common job had competition as a few other people were also shining shoes.

This man had these bright, beautiful eyes just staring at me. He was part of God’s kingdom and he would be going to heaven one day.

When it comes to food and sharing, I am definitely not an Angel. As mentioned before I have grown with exposure to cultures, suffering, and with God’s spirit driving me to fill stomachs. In Nicaragua, it’s where my changes were eye opening. I did not want or need to receive some kind of credit for doing this, but I just had to do it. I had to fill these stomachs to the best of my ability.

This did not just include buying food and giving it away. It included giving away my own food. I would purchase things and rather than eat them I would just hand them off. It was completely strange for me and something only one spirit driving this home.

This happened throughout Nicaragua until I questioned eating myself. How much do I actually need to eat? The meals I don’t eat can’t I just give them away. It was selfless behavior that was happening and I was thankful for the growth. That selfish component with my food and eating everything for me-it diminished.

It was an eye opening experience into a whole new way to give. Rather than just thinking about what I was eating, I was much more conscious of filling the stomach. The stomach is something we don’t think about much except when we are hungry or need to feed a child or someone else. But those stomaches that empty are in need of something to keep them full even if it’s for a few hours or even a day.