I wore bindi to temple this morning for the first time. It was at a temple I don't usually go to. (we're currently out of town for my husband's business trip. I tag along sometimes)
I put on the smallest one there was in the pack. Maybe a few millimeters across. It looks more like freckle I suppose but I thought I'd start small and see how it made me feel. After I put it on I looked at myself in the mirror for a while and just did some silent self examination. How did it make me feel? How do I feel about what other people might feel about it? How do I justify it if I need to? Do I need to? I thought a lot basically. lol.
I liked wearing it. I think for now I've decided that context is really important. It's the same with the Salwar and Saree. It would probably be seen as strange if I wore it around in every day life, but if it's just for religious activities, I don't feel badly about it. It's an expression of my faith. At temple, no one seemed moved by it, although maybe it's the sort of thing no one would actually bring up, but I can't help that.
So, first try was a success. The next test will be wearing it at my home temple, where the community knows me a little better.
Munde-munde matir-bhinna (different heads, different views).