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A review by kiwikathleen
Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah Macdonald
3.0
Personally, I can't cope with a "crowd" of 200 people, so I know for sure I'd never be able to visit India. But I read this book on the recommendation of an Australian friend, and the author has written an account that made it very real.
Here are 3 quotes (the first and last very similar):
Here are 3 quotes (the first and last very similar):
page 161 - I've made a start in India along my path to personal transformation and inner peace. The Sikhs have shown me how to be strong, the Vipassana course taught me how to calm my mind, India's Muslims have shown me the meaning of surrender and sacrifice, and the Hindus have illustrated an infinite number of ways to the divine. But right now the Buddhist way of living attracts me most. it complements my society's psychological approach to individual growth and development, my desire to take control and take responsibility for my own happiness, and it advocates a way of living that encourages compassion and care.I sincerely hope that she has kept all her learnings in the 20 years since.
page 175 - a phrase from the Dalai Lama's teachings comes back to me: "Some will be drawn to Buddhism but I really think it's best that you try and find truth in the religion of your forebears and ancestors. it is very hard to change religion. I think it's safer not to."
page 291 (the very last page of the book) - I've learned much from the land of many gods and many ways to worship. From Buddhism the power to begin to manage my mind, from Jainism the desire to make peace in all aspects of life, while Islam has taught me to desire goodness and to let go of that which cannot be controlled. I thank Judaism for teaching me the power of transcendence in rituals and the Sufis for affirming my ability to find answers within and reconnecting me to the power of music. Here's to the Parsis for teaching me that nature must be touched lightly, and the Sikhs for the importance of spiritual strength. I thank the gurus for trying to pierce my ego armour and my girlfriends for making me laugh. And most of all, I thank Hinduism for showing me that there are millions of paths to the divine.