“Darshan, literally translated from Sanskrit as ‘seeing and being seen by God,’ is that moment when the worshipper is receptive to recognition by God...”
- from Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion
I first heard the word “darshan” while talking with my friend Christy over chai in Delhi. I had been awed at the devotion of Hindus for some time, and knew that the Most High was jealously longing for that devotion... from Hindus and also from me. So, this word caught my attention. It reminded me of a verse God has brought me to many times, “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image...” 2 Cor. 3:18 When we are unveiled and we see God’s glory, it transforms us. The goal of many Hindu devotional practices, is to experience darshan... seeing God. While reading about these practices, I was first struck by the depth of their longing and devotion, and second grieved for the heart of God, who wants so much to “be seen” by His creation. The words I read in Isaiah 57 my first time in Nepal, seem more powerful than ever. “For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit...” Hindus believe in a supreme God, who inhabits eternity, but to them... He is unknowable, and “incarnations” of him are then worshipped and brought into homes and villages to dwell with the people. However, the eternal, holy God is knowable and longs to dwell with His people, through his Son (the true Incarnation) and indwelling Spirit.
By the time I left India, I felt that I needed far more understanding of the culture of Hindus, so that I wouldn’t squelch their devotion, but rather see it shifted and fulfilled in the Most High. I also felt challenged to be more devoted myself... to be passionate about meeting with God, seeing His glory, and being transformed. The time I spent in Varanasi, India was really exciting for me. Jacala (who was traveling with me) said that my face lit up the moment our train arrived in Varanasi, and stayed that way until we left. I remember thinking that I felt exactly the same way that I felt the first time I was in San Francisco. Well, oddly... it was the same feeling and almost the exact same kind-of circumstance. In both cases, I spent only 1 week there... full of joy, knowing that I was going to be there again. And, like in San Francisco, I was grieved to leave after just one week, and thinking that it would be a long time before I was able to return. But, again, just about a month later, much to my surprise, I felt God nudging me to return. I received an email with the subject “training opportunity quickly approaching”. I decided to scan over it out of curiosity, but was certain that anything “quickly approaching” couldn’t be for me. Then something caught my eye, “Darshan 2004”. It was the name of the training program. I honestly think that if it had been called anything else, I might have deleted it and not thought anything of it, but that word had been on my heart, since I first heard it in Delhi. Still thinking that it was too soon, I closed the email and tried to ignore it. The whole day I couldn’t get it out of my mind. That night I came to a Wednesday service, and said to God something like, “I’m not going to think about this program anymore, it sounds ridiculous, so if you do want me to do it... you’ll have to make it obvious.” The message that night was all about how worship and devotion must be central, and about being obedient to go, when God has called us. By the end of the night, I decided to apply for the training. It runs from June 26th through August 2nd. Around 3 weeks are spent in Varanasi, India... having classroom teaching on Hindu worldview, etc. Another week is spent among Indians in England.
