Senior center member makes long-awaited trek to India
John Sheldon shares religious and cultural lessons he learned
John Sheldon, South Salem Senior Center member, stands at Khajuraho in India. / Special to the Statesman Journal
It's always the one that gets away that haunts most us, whether it's a fish or a dream.
For John Sheldon, longtime member of South Salem Seniors, it was a job offer to teach English in India that he turned down decades ago.
Now, having reached 80 years old, Sheldon finally got his chance to visit the country that had long fascinated him: He traveled to India this past December.
Last Wednesday, he presented at the senior center an in-depth seminar about his experiences in India and his research on India's culture and religious beliefs.
Much of his fascination with India is centered around the Hindu belief system, perhaps because he came from a conservative religious upbringing.
Hindus believe there are billions of divinities. This does not mean billions of gods, rather that the essence or the spirit of God is in everyone.
Based on his personal experience, Sheldon believes that most traditional Christians place "limitations on the spirit of God" and so are unable to understand the Hindu faith, he said.
In his presentation, Sheldon said Hindus strive to reach true contact with their true spiritual selves and ultimately the many aspects of God.
His illustrated his point using as an example of a visit to the doctor. A person trusts the doctor to care for his health problems, he said, but that patient never experiences the many 'faces' of his physician, such as father, husband, friend or golfer. The doctor has many roles in life, but the patient will only know one.
Sheldon also spoke about Ghandi, who was famous for his peaceful resistance to British rule and for his ability to deal with the adversities of life. He led and taught by example, a trait Sheldon admires.
"The man was a genius," he said.
Sheldon also shared with his audience details of his travels, including a visit to the Taj Mahal, which is in Agra in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
"When you think of India, what is the first icon you think of?" Sheldon asks rhetorically. Then answers "The Taj Mahal."
He called the landmark an overwhelming example of the love of fine workmanship. Its construction amazes visitors, he said.
During his 17 days in India, Sheldon made a pilgrimage to the Ganges River, which is considered sacred by Hindus, visited the temple of Vishnu, took an elephant ride and visited an ancient observatory.
Copyright Statesman-Journal 2010
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20100825/COMMUNITIES/108160017
Now, having reached 80 years old, Sheldon finally got his chance to visit the country that had long fascinated him: He traveled to India this past December.
Last Wednesday, he presented at the senior center an in-depth seminar about his experiences in India and his research on India's culture and religious beliefs.
Much of his fascination with India is centered around the Hindu belief system, perhaps because he came from a conservative religious upbringing.
Hindus believe there are billions of divinities. This does not mean billions of gods, rather that the essence or the spirit of God is in everyone.
Based on his personal experience, Sheldon believes that most traditional Christians place "limitations on the spirit of God" and so are unable to understand the Hindu faith, he said.
In his presentation, Sheldon said Hindus strive to reach true contact with their true spiritual selves and ultimately the many aspects of God.
His illustrated his point using as an example of a visit to the doctor. A person trusts the doctor to care for his health problems, he said, but that patient never experiences the many 'faces' of his physician, such as father, husband, friend or golfer. The doctor has many roles in life, but the patient will only know one.
Sheldon also spoke about Ghandi, who was famous for his peaceful resistance to British rule and for his ability to deal with the adversities of life. He led and taught by example, a trait Sheldon admires.
"The man was a genius," he said.
Sheldon also shared with his audience details of his travels, including a visit to the Taj Mahal, which is in Agra in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
"When you think of India, what is the first icon you think of?" Sheldon asks rhetorically. Then answers "The Taj Mahal."
He called the landmark an overwhelming example of the love of fine workmanship. Its construction amazes visitors, he said.
During his 17 days in India, Sheldon made a pilgrimage to the Ganges River, which is considered sacred by Hindus, visited the temple of Vishnu, took an elephant ride and visited an ancient observatory.
Copyright Statesman-Journal 2010
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20100825/COMMUNITIES/108160017
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