Leah Raidt, a retreat leader at Nazareth Retreat Center in Kentucky, recently traveled to Mokama, India, to spend time with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth at the Nazareth Convent motherhouse. She joined the Sisters in daily prayer, volunteer service, and community life, deepening relationships and shared understanding.
What Surprised Me in India: New Learnings from a Transformative Journey
Answering the question “What surprised you in India?” is not easy, because my experience there felt like one continuous unfolding of surprises. Nearly everything, from the everyday rhythms of life to the deeper interior movements, invited wonder, reflection, and growth.
Everyday Encounters That Delighted Me
Like any visitor, I encountered countless things that were different from what I am accustomed to in America. Milk is bought and sold in bags. Churchgoers sit barefoot on the floor during Mass. Roads are shared by everyone: pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, autos, cars, vans, tractors, and trucks, whether the road is a dusty path or a newly paved highway. I was amazed by just how many people and goods can be crammed into a single auto or truck. I was delighted to see shepherds guiding their goats along highways, cows calmly occupying main streets in towns, and monkeys perched on buildings. And no matter where I travelled, there was always a chaiwala nearby—a familiar and comforting presence offering tea and connection.
A man resting on a bed of coconuts.
A Deeper, Interior Surprise
What surprised me most, however, went far beyond what I observed externally. Immersing myself in an unfamiliar culture and language became a profound spiritual practice. Removed from the predictability of everyday life, I entered a space ripe for transformation.
India’s sights, sounds, smells, tastes, terrain, and spiritual energy penetrated my being. The experience was often disorienting but almost never overwhelming—thanks to the care of trustworthy hosts and the grounding of daily prayer and meditation. I came to realise that disorientation, when embraced intentionally, can loosen old perceptions, challenge our sense of self, and awaken new ways of seeing and being.
Learning to Receive Care
I usually value independence and control over my schedule. I enjoy planning ahead, hosting others, and giving care more than receiving it. India gently challenged these tendencies. As a guest and foreigner, I experienced hospitality at a level I had never known before. The SCN sisters in India managed every aspect of my travel and schedule, prepared my meals, ensured I stayed hydrated, washed dishes, and never allowed me to pay for transportation or outings. At times, receiving such generous care was difficult, but through their hospitality and prayers, I learned to expand my capacity to be guided and lovingly supported.
Outings with sisters in Bodhgaya & Patna
Teaching, Trust, and Inner Strength
Teaching meditation at Nazareth Academy, Mokama, was particularly enriching. I was deeply moved by the trust the sisters placed in me and humbled by the opportunity to serve.The teaching contexts were challenging—language barriers, large groups of students of varying ages and abilities, and little time for preparation. In the past, such conditions might have overwhelmed me. Instead, I found myself rising to the occasion with calm and presence. I discovered that my foundation was strong and my adaptability even stronger. Years of facilitation experience and somatic practices surfaced naturally when I needed them most.
With the sisters and students at the Nazareth Academy and hospital campus.
Lessons Beyond Language
The language barrier itself became a teacher. I grew increasingly attentive to the subtle energies present in communication. Words mattered less than intention, presence, and frequency. I learned that if I could transmit love and joy, my teaching would be effective.
This approach brought greater patience, lightness, and humour into my work. It also revealed how powerful our actions can be. During one meditation session, I absent-mindedly scratched my head only to notice that over 300 children immediately did the same! From that moment on, I became far more intentional in both movement and presence.
A Lasting Insight
Through one heart-opening experience after another, India taught me the quiet power of surrender and surprise. When we release control and attune ourselves to the presence of love around us, our lives and our service become deeply transformative.