Opinion Articles

SOUL MATTERS: Calcutta Puts Focus on World in New Light
By Conor Ashleigh

Conor Ashleigh offers a different perspective on Christmas.

I was lucky enough to spend five months this year in India , firstly volunteering in Calcutta , then in the Himalayas with Tibetan refugees. I don't feel I came home with a totally new perspective, perhaps just with a renewed sense of strength for what I believe in and what I'm passionate about: equality for all people, and the cultivation of love and compassion for all beings.

India is a place of extremes. It tested me beyond comprehension on numerous occasions. On the flip side India provided me with many special moments, particularly when I was volunteering. Living in such an intense environment as Calcutta can leave a person dilapidated. However volunteering in such environments also carries with it a great sense of fulfillment, especially to be able to connect with people who lead lives hugely different from our own here in Newcastle . It's amazing to me how fast Christmas is approaching, to the point that each day can become blurred as we fixate on our preparations for that looming date, 25 December. In various ways we are all preparing for one of the most intense periods of the year. We are becoming more and more focused on all the plans and hopes surrounding ‘the big day', but it is so easy to lose focus on the essence of this special day: the celebration of the birth of Jesus, a man who believed in equality and love for all people unconditionally.

I certainly don't think it is wrong that we celebrate through sharing gifts and food with people we love. However, I do think that we should try to be aware that such celebrations aren't the norm for all Australians or for many people throughout the world.

A close friend from Australia whom I met in India said to me, “Conor, right now is such an amazing time to be alive.” I really agree with this statement I do believe right now is a critical space in the big picture. So many people are starting to realize that materialism can't fulfill that inner void. Continually comforting ourselves with material answers isn't going to ease our restlessness or give us an answer to that sense of unfulfillment. Only truly listening to the inner self can give us the answers we need to live life to its fullest.

It can be easy to forget that our lifestyle here in Australia is actually a privileged one. It's easy to become focused on trivial matters, however if we look at the big picture we do realize an important fact: as global citizens we are all in this together.

Conor Ashleigh

Conor Ashleigh is a member of St Therese's Parish, New Lambton. He completed the Higher School Certificate in 2005 at St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton