Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
How I can freely practice my faith at Leeds Beckett
Faith is when a soul believes in divine existence, wisdom, power, love, and grace. Personally, finding and practising my faith here in Leeds was quite a journey, my name is Piyasha and I am going to share more on my journey.
Leaving home
When I left my home, I took a part of my faith with me. Well, that sounds dramatic, actually, my mom packed a Devi (Goddess) picture in my suitcase and said, “Whenever life will cause you pain, your faith will help you find peace.”
Honestly, I was in such an adrenaline rush at that time, I did not fully understand what she meant by that properly. After I landed in the UK, in a few days I started to realise my mom’s sentence more and more. The loneliness, not fitting in, circumstances, barriers, all were crushing all my hopes and were painful to bear emotionally, which was also affecting my health.
I still remember the day when I broke down in tears in a mandir after a harsh rejection from a job during evening prayer. I was going through a tough time, and after what it felt like at that time, ages, I heard chants and prayers which broke an emotional door inside me. I felt happy, calm, hopeful, and comforted.
Where I go for prayers
I generally go to Leeds Hindu mandir for evening prayers. I feel like having faith is to follow one’s heart and intuition. Leeds Beckett University always celebrates popular festivals from across the world, and they also offer free quiet prayer rooms for students. There are communities of different beliefs which you can find online. Leeds is a place where you can find people from almost every faith and religion. We celebrate Diwali to Eid, Durga Puja to Garba in various locations around Leeds. Every culture is celebrated here and welcomed with open arms.
Finding my anchor
From a loving, secure home, an ambitious heart wants to explore the realm of reality, and life never fails to teach you harsh truths, lessons in various ways. Faith helps you to be anchored in your core values and gives you light in the darkness. A strength to endure hardships, a beacon of hope in a storm, which is a cold breeze to your racing heart. A soft touch of familiarity which soothes your soul and assures you that everything will be alright in the end.
Piyasha
Heya! I am Piyasha from city of joy Kolkata, India. My love for English Literature and ambition to be an international student led me to Leeds. I like to call myself “Jack of all trades” as I love to explore new opportunities that comes my way. I hope you will enjoy my blogs with a cup of coffee in a café or your home.
