I discovered recently that there is a Hindu Temple (Mandir) 10 minutes from my place. It was constructed in 1995 and I must have driven past it many times but it’s not something for which I was aware. It’s funny like that, the moment we buy a certain car we suddenly can see all the cars like ours on the road. We can walk in a crowded shopping centre and see someone wearing out team’s colours. This is sometimes called ‘the exposure effect’.
Most of the time when we drive, we are looking for something, going somewhere or guided by a GPS. We tend not to explore because we are too busy, we have a goal or an appointment and we drive to it, often pushing to be on time. Such is the world in which we live.
Last time I was driving to a friend’s place and had plenty of time I noticed the Mandir in Mawson (https://vishnushivamandir.org.au/new/about-us/). Maybe I noticed it because I had been to India last year or I am going again soon. Maybe it was Nippin Anand operating on my unconscious, it doesn’t matter, I saw it and was determined to visit.
I had been to many temples in Chennai and found them all fascinating. So, I drove to this Mandir, took my thongs off and walked inside. I was greeted by the priest and others were entering, wandering around, praying, ringing the bell, giving offerings, meditating and performing rituals. As often occurs when you take a risk, I was not in my comfort zone.
I had a lovely conversation with the priest and told him what I did and that I was interested in doing a Semiotic walk in May as part of the SPOR Conference (https://spor.com.au/canberra-convention/). I tell you what, it’s going to be a fun Semiotic walk that day. We are going to start at the geotechnical Science Centre then go to the Mandir and finish in a boutique brewery surrounded by unique architecture and symbolism.
Anyway, we had a great chat about the place and a woman who was meditating sitting on the floor heard our conversation and chimed in. She asked, what do you want to know? Then stated, ‘the best way to understand this faith is not to overthink it’. ‘Don’t try to find some rational logic to this, think about it all as a place to draw in energy’. ‘Soak in the experience’.
And with that, I soon relaxed and enjoyed my time there, not realising till then that I was uneasy.
I forgot that we in the West try to control things by defining them. We seek to understand things to have power over them. Her reassurance that I didn’t understand her faith and worldview was comforting. If you are looking for order then you won’t find it in India or in Hinduism. But you will find plenty of reverence, tolerance and respect. Indeed, I felt like I was in the right place, it felt like home yet, it was messy. With 3000 or more gods, nothing makes ordered sense, its messy.
The priest then went into a sanctuary area and came out with an apple and handed it to me. I said I didn’t need an apple and he stated: ‘that’s not the right answer’. ‘When Shiva gives you an apple, you say’, ‘thanks’. I took the apple realising the importance of humility, respect and gratitude in this religion. It is so important to know how to receive than it is to give and to consume.
I left the Mandir more grateful and aware than when I entered. I learned that sometimes the best way to understand another worldview is to let go, don’t overthink and rather experience ‘the other’. Stepping outside one’s worldview is a risk, but it’s one worth taking.
Dr Rob Long
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Brian says
Dear Rob, thanks for a wonderful blog, it reminded me of my recent visit to the cave temples in Malaysia and discussions Aneta and I had with a mother and her son related to their religion and their god, God Murugan. Fascinating to listen to others tell their stories. I have written an article on the discussions and experience.
Rob Long says
That’s great Brian. I wish the safety industry was no so closed in its worldview. So much to be gained by looking across the disciplines in what they can offer in knowing and how belief drives decision making. Similarly with culture, which is NOT ‘what we do around here’. As long as this silly definition dominates safety it will always be stuck in behaviourism-as-culture and its addiction to engineering.
Rosa says
Beautiful story, Rob. Reminds me of my travels in southern Mexico and India. There is much to learn if one, is open and humble.
Rob Long says
Absolutely Rosa. Learning requires a will of humility, doubt, openness, trust and movement. For some this is too scary, much safer to just stay in the confines of the box and filling out boxes.