Gleanings.
Reading about author Rumer Godden's thoughts on the India she lived in as a young woman. There is a word she describes as particularly Indian that fascinated me. 'Darshan' - a glimpse or view.
It's a word that defies exact meaning but she describes it as the goal of a long pilgrimage, as in actively traveling miles to seek out a spectacular view of the Himalaya's perhaps or a famous holy man. And once arrived, the point is to take darshan of that moment. Not trying to make contact with the mountain as a challenge, nor even touching it, not seeking to speak or interact with the holy man. But merely to take it all in silently, so as to remember it in detail - both in sense and emotion. No taking of photos ever. Just being there and letting it seep into your soul. The personality, the holiness, the beauty, the wonder. And on the return trip there was to be complete silence among the pilgrims in order to let 'darshan' root inside themselves so they could cherish and call forth the moment within them for the rest of their lives.
Today I think I saw darshan. It came in the form of a Vietnamese family visiting the gardens. On Saturdays, they tend to bring multi-generational family members. It is always beautful to me. Little kids, moms, dads, grandparents on both sides all eagerly entering the garden to enjoy themselves together.
This particular family at my scanning booth had an ancient grandfather who walked with a cane. His daughter sat him down on a bench as she waited for everyone to arrive. In front of her in the stroller was the most beautiful little boy. The kind of face you cannot stop looking at. At least I could not. He had rosy cheeks and black hair and huge black eyes. He was also a Down’s Syndrome baby. He was taking in the whole scene. Distracted by the movie screen on the wall at one moment. Slowly grinning at his sister dancing next to his stroller; captivated by the light as it came in puddles on the floor from the ceiling windows. He radiated a sweet and thick contentment. As his eyes scanned, they stopped and widened a bit and the grin got bigger. He had suddenly seen his grandfather on the bench looking back at him with the same wonder. They stared at each other without speaking for the longest time while the rest of the world around them went noisily on.
How many years had passed before this grandfather could look upon this little grandson with such intent joy and happiness. What had he suffered, traveled through, or done to get to this point on his pilgrimage. To having 'darshan' with this small and beautiful baby staring with an almost uncanny, 'fey' understanding of what was happening here.
The bustling mom had made her contacts, the party moved happily on. But darshan had happened. That little baby was going to remember that wrinkled, loving face and that grandfather had memorized those cheeks, that hair, those eyes. Darshon had rooted and would now grow within them.
What a beautiful concept. What a thing to be privy to as I sat there quietly with my computerized scanner at a lull in the ticket line. How it made me wish the world was quieter, and slower, and softer so that I could take it in properly.
India, in Rumer's eyes, has so many qualities like this. It is a land rich in smells, sights, tastes, dangers, and heady beauty. She makes it come alive. It helped me see this morning. It helped me see what they have called darshan.
I do not feel inclined at this time to have a paid substack. But if we were together in a cafe discussing all these thoughts, I would not be opposed to you buying me a cup of coffee - with cream, of course. In that spirit, if any of my posts resonate with you and you feel so inclined, you can donate here: buymeacoffee.com/denise_trull
Just tears. Thank you and Amen. I am discovering the gift of the Adoration hour - it for me is a kind of darshan.
My eldest's boyfriend has an older brother with Downs Syndrome. Her boyfriend is such a sweet gift in my daughter's life - I believe he has learnt the gift of darshan too- looking into the eyes of Christ in his brother. He is so gentle, compassionate, responsible and caring.