It has been almost two years now that I did not go home to Germany.  Due to the pandemic my planned trip, last year got cancelled and I am now hoping to visit my family and friends in Germany this summer.

People often ask me if I miss my home country. Of course, there are ups and downs, moments when I miss home a lot, especially family and friends. 

But more than that, I feel that India has become my second home despite the many cultural differences. 

I recently had a conversation with an Indian friend, who travels regularly to Europe and the US. As me, he enjoys the comfort we have in Europe, such as the great public transport system, pedestrian walkways to promenade without hazards, the cleanliness of public places, and facilities that have great quality. But yet, he commented, that after 4 or 5 weeks in the west he is happy to come back to India. And I agreed fully with him. But I could not put my feelings in words why this is so. What makes me so attracted to India? His answer completely hit the point: 

There is calmness underneath everything, underneath the noise, the busy crowded life, the on-going activities. A deep calmness, which we are unable to find in the western world. A deep calmness, that seems to connect us to our inner being and to the whole of life.

It is absolutely puzzling how all the outer comfort cannot give us that peace, that calmness but how on the other hand in the midst of buzzing crowds a stillness can remain.

Looking back, it was the search for that quality which brought me to India on my first backpacking trip in the 90th, when I got introduced to meditation and eventually came back for visits several times. I never planned to live in India, but somehow life took me here and I am so grateful for all that I learn and experience in this amazing country.