Trust in the goodness of life

Nagaraj leads the team of 5 here in Chitradurga for the promotion of people with different abilities. He has been serving the disabled for thirty years and has a clear image of humanity. When he gives teacher training courses on inclusion in the area, it is important to him that the disabled are not necessarily given preferential treatment. Instead, the teachers should learn to challenge the handicapped appropriately. - It is interesting to listen to him and to exchange views on abnormalities in children. In the morning I had seen a child in India for the first time who clearly had difficulties concentrating and whose behavior was unusual. Talking to Nagaraj I think it was an ADHD kid. fizkes  |  Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto But does that exist in India? Nagaraj agrees and notes an increasing trend in connection with stressed mothers. If a pregnant woman works and is mentally stressed, this also has an effect on the new life in her stomach. Even if the child is born...

On the way to the meaningful region of Hampi, a detour via Chitradurga is recommended because of it`s important fortress. Around the city lie mighty boulder mountains; several study faculties are lined up at the south-eastern entrance to the city. It is late afternoon when I arrive. Finding an internet café is not easy here either; they send me well meaning back and forth. As the sun goes down, I prioritize and arrange a place to stay for the night. There is a covered driveway in front of the Pre-University of Education. A couple of serious men are standing there and they think it is possible to stay overnight. Thanks them. Since they work at this school, I suggest that I can be available as an interview partner on the subject of "education" the next day, since I not only worked as a teacher for 20 years, but before that also as an educator. Therefore an information exchange with a suitable class could be interesting. The idea seems to please; I was to propose them to the p...

  In Kerala, a relatively large number of men were able to speak English because - currently or in the past - they were or are still working abroad as guest workers for several years. Kerala's direct location on the "Arabian Sea" and the relative proportion of Muslims in the population tempt many to be guest workers in an Arab country. As a result, as long as I was in Kerala, communication with the locals was usually easier. Here in Karnataka, however, only a few people speak English - almost none of the older people. So when I walk through the villages on narrow, quiet roads, communication is limited to simple questions and short answers that are hardly understood by the other party. And yet there are warm encounters. In some villages, in the late morning, when the midday heat sets in and the morning chores are done, old men can be seen standing together in the village square. There is always someone brave who speaks to me in the local language, Kannada. I have now learn...

'Namaste' or 'Namaskar, namaskaram. ' - this is the typical greeting in the countries and regions dominated by Hinduism. The salute is usually spoken with a slight bow and hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing up, thumbs close to the chest. The gesture has already passed into my flesh and blood. People on the side of the road also show this greeting in silent passing. I believe that at home in Germany or in the whole western world the vast majority would laugh, be made fun of or feel insecure if someone greeted them in this way. This is also an expression that traditions and profound values ​​have been lost in the western world and instead 'cool' superficialities are the order of the day. The substantive meaning of 'Namaste' is 'The divine in me greets the divine in you! ' - If one is serious about this, it could be a touching encounter.

  India is very diverse and rich in traditions and religions. What I really like when I first visited years ago are traditional forms of clothing. Whether for men or women, these ancient dress traditions give people a more dignified, nobler look. - I would also like to support the inclusion of the SARI in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Even old, fat, tired or less beautiful-looking women look elegant in a sari. - It is a pleasure to see women in sarees. Wouldn't it be an interesting event if the whole nation held a sari wearing day once a year?     In an average-kept restaurant, however, the male staff in traditional attire is surprising. The headgear elevates them to special figures as if from a nostalgically beautiful story. The whole stay in this sober building becomes special. I'm more self-aware than usual. The food also tastes better. Usually I am asked several times a day to take a picture with me. Today it's the other way around.

ASSISI - the goal of the long pilgrimage, the famous hometown of Francis, one of the greatest saints in Christendom. 800 years ago he was the fun-loving son of a very wealthy family. But there was a gradual conversion. The peak was that he stripped naked in the square in front of the cathedral and gave the clothes back to his father. ‘From now on, I will follow Heavenly Father. He takes care of me.’ When I read this part of his biography as a young man, my heart jumped with excitement: I want to be like that too. My Creator is responsible for what I need. And when I trust Him deeply, He grants it in abundance. That gives freedom - deep freedom. So free that worrying about my own life becomes a minor matter. Francis became a beggar. He found peace and brotherhood with all creatures. And he ministered, especially to the marginalized. He was happy about it. His new name became BROTHER ALWAYS-HAPPY*.  Here, in a remote jungle area, ASSISI is the name of a good boys' school. But it...