Perception is Rendered by Individual Experiences

During our last trip to India, we had a unique experience in Puri Anandabazaar - A place where everyone shares the meal that is prepared for Lord Jagannath. The name Anandabazaar could be translated as a blissed out market or a market of/for bliss. They say everyone is supposed to share the meal from the same plate here, signifying the fact that we are all one; no matter the color, cast, gender or religion. And you attain bliss when you treat everyone this way.

During the temple-visit, one of the priests who was helping us reminded me of this. I took this literally and asked him to share the meal with us. He took one bite from our plate; then I donated some money before he took off.

Someone else was watching this whole incident and almost shouted at me to warn that what I am donating is more than what the priest deserves. I was taken by surprise; I looked at the man, assured him I know what I am doing, and it's not about what the priest deserves but what I would like to donate.

After we were done with the meal, this person (who was not convinced with my earlier explanation), started to walk with us like our guardian and chat about the incident again. He was trying to explain to me that the priests don't do enough to get the donation I gave. He even interrupted the next purchase I made, and tried to negotiate the price with the lady who is walking around and selling hand-made threads for lighting diyas to worship.

He was almost the age of my dad and I respected his being concerned about the money. And that's when it struck me that he is trying to be protective of me and teaching me a life-lesson based on his own life-experience. For me the money I donated may be of lower significance but for this man that same money is probably worth raising his family for a whole week or month. No wonder he was trying to educate me on the value of money.

This generated an immense amount of respect for this man while also helping me realize how uniquely distinct our perceptions are and how much our past as well as current life circumstances influence in rendering this perception. While for me this was a donation I am willing to make and the amount of money didn't matter; for this person it was a mistake I am making and for the priest who received the money, perhaps it is a completely different story that we will never know. My son who was also witnessing this with me, I can assure its yet another story and for each of the readers, the take away will be unique to them.

My wish and blessing is for us all to remember this fact while dealing with everyday situations in life, and be patient with others. Even though we may never know what's going on in another's mind, we can be sure that its not the same as what's going on in our own mind.

May we have the patience, understanding and compassion to appreciate others perception during our daily interactions.