"Asha Niketan": Abode of Hope
Maggie Smith is a long-term member of L’Arche Kent, joining the community in 1975. In 1977 she was asked to consider visiting the communities in India in order to build links of friendship across communities. In fact, she stayed in Asha Niketan,(L’Arche) Bangalore India for four years, becoming community leader in 1978. She returned in 1981 to become community leader of L’Arche Kent 1981-84. Here, she writes to her friends in Asha Niketan Bangalore in celebration of their 40th anniversary in 2010.
I came from L’Arche Kent to Asha Niketan in 1977 and stayed for four years, returning to L’Arche Kent.
I was new and nervous and the first thing I heard was “Asha Niketan hopeless!" Somasundara (Kaka) said hello, and then strode angrily down the veranda, expertly hitting a pillar on each ’hopeless!’ Strangely this made me feel welcome. Community life, the same here as Kent - a never ending journey of learning to be yourself, of becoming inwardly free and learning how to love. I relaxed and smiled. When Somasundara died I wrote down my memories of him and, I realised, there were many of him being amused by me being myself, and by my journey in community.
I recount this because I love the mutuality of friendship In Asha Niketan. Assistants have to give professional care and have to use their intelligence to give it with respect, sensitivity and creativity. This is important, but it is only a part of the much larger picture. Asha Niketan makes possible a deeper friendship, where personal and spiritual liberation is mutual.
In the UK I repeatedly tell people L’Arche is ’with’ not ’for’, and I point out the careful debate with which, in 1970, FMR [the name for the Indian affiliated member of L’Arche International] chose ’fellowship with' and not ’fellowship for'.
I don’t know many places where this vital element comes first.
In 1997 I became too ill to work. A physiological dysfunction meant that I am not able to do much and become unwell after a small amount of physical or mental activity. Having to rest a lot throws you on your inner resources. Over the years Asha Niketan has been very good at sending me greetings - I also heard that I was still prayed for in Asha Niketan Bangalore. In a busy life, this was very nice; in a restricted life, this became a lifeline.
I started to wonder if there would ever be a way in which I could visit, given the level of my disability. With the help and encouragement of the doctors treating me, Shiva Shankar, Katharine, the UK L’Arche Benevolent Fund and various friends, this became possible in 2007.
I was longing to see everyone again and to be able to say thank you in person. I was given what had been Ravi’s room, a good place to be able to rest and yet feel included. Shyam brought me breakfast; Christopher, lunch; Aramuda, supper; Gopal, morning coffee; Srinivasa, afternoon tea. I tried to join everyone after work and at evening prayers and to sit in the sitting-place whenever I felt able. I had a feeling of never having been away and was even able to join in one of Gopal’s film songs. I can’t tell you how good it was to be in Asha Niketan. I tell people here a bit of my soul’s DNA fell back into place.
Back in the UK, I decided to set the alarm on my mobile to 7pm IST so that I can think of you all going to prayer, and, from across the world, I can join in.
To all in Asha Niketan Bangalore, past and present, I say Thank you.
Maggie Smith, November 2010.
