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"All the religions of the world, while they may differ in other respects, unitedly proclaim that nothing lives in this world but Truth."
M K Gandhi
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TRUTH
Every person in the world has their own personal story, their own unique qualities, their own identity, and their own personal TRUTH. The world is a gigantic maze of language and culture, with individuals and groups competing for land, status, power, appreciation, and acceptance. The TRUTH is that despite the differences, everyone shares the same basic human emotions. The TRUTH is that the root cause of many of the problems facing the world is a lack of understanding of this basic and simple concept. Volunteers have a unique opportunity to define their own TRUTH, to make human connections, and to spread their message.
REFLECTIONS
Through a volunteer experience, individuals are provided the means to reflect on their own lives, their own society, and their own country. There is no better way to reflect on your life or on your own country than to step away from the normal, the routine, the regular events in your life. Taj Global Understanding aims to provide constructive programs for volunteers to reflect. And it is in this reflection that the thought impulses are born to create change, to make a difference, to give back to society.
SMILES
When one thinks of poverty, one thinks of unhappy faces, garbage, illiteracy, and violence. However, when you enter a slum community or rural village in India, you’ll most likely be met with smiles, curiosity, and open arms. People living on the margins of society, with nothing, are smiling. What can be learned from this?
Many of us are from or live in Western societies in which we do not have to worry about the water running out, or not having power, or not having enough to eat. We have the basic necessities of life, yet sometimes happiness alludes us. Perhaps you are not happy with your career. Perhaps you are not happy with yourself. Perhaps you are not happy with being unmarried or with being married. Perhaps you are not satisfied with your own kids and their choices. The list can go on and on. Mahatma Gandhi wrote once:
“I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to Swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away.”
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