Sunday Salon: Finding happiness in India
Another 38 minutes of quality reading time, and I have finished the penultimate chapter of The Geography of Bliss, on the author's exploration of happiness in India. He visits an ashram and stays at a...well, someone's house where people are, however, welcome to come and go at will. A sort of salon, in fact, or what my mother might have termed, back in the 70s, a "hippie house." He finds again, as often, that wealth does not imply happiness nor poverty preclude it. And I found myself wondering what our friend and fellow Salonist Ian Hocking's thoughts on Indian happiness might be, given his recent stay there.
Tags: The Sunday Salon
Posted by Debra Hamel on February 17, 2008 | 
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I'm about to settle down with my book and read while hubby is out doing the yard work. He's the only one I know who waits until the sun is falling to mow the lawn. LOL At least it's getting done and it's not me pushing that lawn mower. Haha
Anyway, I've heard of The Geography of Bliss and been curious about it. It wasn't too long ago I read a fiction novel about an ashram, with people coming and going. Sort of a spiritual place to rest--at least in the book I read.
Posted by: Literary Feline | February 17, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Yes, apparently. I've seen the word before, of course, but it never occurred to me before to wonder what it was. And apparently they differ in character. Sort of like retreats.
Posted by: Debra Hamel | February 17, 2008 at 09:14 PM
I haven't read this book but I have spent time in an ashram in India. Yes of course they do differ. The one I go to (I have been several times) is very simple living, though not uncomfortably so. Alcohol, drugs and cigarettes are not allowed and the food is vegetarian. People (Westerners and Indians) do come and go -- some visit for a few days or weeks, others live there more or less permanently. Life is focused around meditation and prayer but nothing is imposed on anyone -- people can join in or not as they wish. It is very peaceful and enjoyable.
Posted by: Harriet | February 18, 2008 at 03:42 AM
Interesting, Harriet. I wonder, how do people wind up more or less living there? How does one fall into that sort of life? Do they work for the ashram or something?
Posted by: Debra Hamel | February 18, 2008 at 09:47 AM
You defintely dont need money to be happy. Scientists have proven this. What they have found is that personaly relationships like marriage really make a difference on your happiness. I wrote a little article about it...
http://www.scribblesheet.co.uk/article/not_happy_then_try_getting_married
Traveling really gives some new perspectives on happiness.
Posted by: Marriage and Happiness | March 03, 2008 at 07:58 AM