How Angelique Mango Found Her Spiritual Home in India
AndAngelique Mango is an artist and jewelry designer. For many years she traveled throughout Asia, sourcing unique stones to serve as the centerpieces of her one-of-a-kind jewelry collections. I recently met with her to discuss how she found her spiritual home in India.
RCG: Before we get started, I have to ask you about this monkey! Can you tell me the story of what’s happening in this picture?
AM: I was traveling in the old city, heading to visit my stone cutter, walking alongside my rickshaw driver, Hafik. When walking in town, he would always stay with me and carry my bags for me. One day we were walking together when, out of the blue, this monkey jumped on my back! He was massive and not very graceful! He landed on me so abruptly I almost fell down. I completely freaked out! His hands were on my hair. I said, “please, get him off of me!!” Hafik said, “I will in a minute.” He quickly took this picture before helping to shoo the monkey off my back!
Angelique Mango’s Love of Travel
RCG: Did you always know that you wanted to travel?
AM: I traveled a lot when I was young. I always knew the world was my playground. I came from a unique family, and they encouraged me to travel extensively. So, right out of college, I joined the Peace Corp and moved to South America. I spent years there, mostly by myself. I love this world! And I love meeting people. I’ve always loved other cultures. I love seeing women, women in groups, women in society.
Discovering Her Spiritual Home in India
RCG: Do you have a favorite place?
AM: Yes, the most favorite would be India.
In my 40’s and 50’s at least ten times a year, I would travel to India. I lived there more than I lived in the western world. For many years I felt like I didn’t know where I belonged. I felt as if my soul was from there, and I always wanted to go back. India is my true spiritual home. I identify with human compassion. While in India, I mostly stayed in modest hotels while sometimes choosing to stay in more fancy resorts. I often preferred staying in humble places, where workers were because I had the opportunity of learning to understand the Indian way of life.
India has a vibration, and yet it’s changed over the years. It’s changed a lot. It’s become a lot more western. They didn’t have any of the conveniences that they have now. When I started going there, there were no western toilets anywhere! The roads were full of foot rickshaws, camels, and even elephants. Over time, there were more cars.
As western influence grew, I would try to escape further and further away into the ancient cities. I wanted to get the old India back. I wouldn’t say I liked the western influence. It was growing too fast!
Connecting with the People of India
RCG: Did you make a lot of friends in India?
AM: Yes, many. I once had a woman come up to me and say, “Madame, can you please help me? I want to have a better life.” And I did.
This young woman ended up working for me and went to school to learn secretarial skills. She was a Nepali girl sold into slavery. We still keep in touch to this day. I loved working with children and helping women. My effortless connection with the people of India made me feel even more like India was my home.
My passion for traveling was to meet people, to do good in the world. Maybe I was filling an ordained contract: to spread love in the world and to show women that there is love in the world and that you can love.
Unique Focus on Self-Care and Spirituality in Indian Culture
RCG: What is something that you found unique about Indian culture?
AM: Without a doubt- self-care! While living In India, I got really into Ayurvedic studies. I began to see that we Americans don’t take care of our souls. We don’t bathe in milk baths and slow down long enough to allow our bodies and spirits to heal. The pampering women have in India at their fingertips is incredible! You can have 2-hour massages, with 2 or 4 hands, they call it. They are so trained. It is phenomenal. When I’m in India, I get a massage every day. They pray over you and ask God to deliver an excellent massage to provide you with precisely what you need. They will intuitively focus on areas where you need the most work.
I love visiting an ayurvedic spa in southern India called Somatheeram.1 As a guest, you are assigned an ayurvedic team that monitors everything about you. They observe everything you eat, your massages, etc. They tested me and determined I am what they call high vatta. For this, they recommended I receive Shirodhara oil. They would drop it over my third eye. After, they have me take a bath in the sea. I would see the dolphins in the water every day.
RCG: Is there anything other difference in self-care culturally?
AM: Yes, they don’t eat red meat.
There is no alcohol. There’s no need for it because the high you experience is from taking in nature all around you, particularly in the south of India, where it is very tropical. Flying into Kochi, it’s a sea of coconut palm trees. In northern India, it’s spiritual – it’s about nurturing your soul. It’s about balancing your heart, mind, and soul. There are more ashrams. That’s where the yogis go- to the Himalayas. You go there to pray. You feel a closeness to God. I felt that when I was there. Often, I’ve told my children, when I die please take my ashes to the Himalayas. I want to go home.
On Feeling Spiritually at Home and Connected While Traveling
RCG: Do you find that you recognize and connect with your inner radiance and beauty when you travel?
AM: Absolutely. Being stuck in the US now, part of me struggles with wanted to be back in India. I feel healthier and younger when I’m there.
This Covid-19 virus has taught me something really important. I can still find peace here. I’m in constant communication with my friends in India. It’s been an exciting evolution. But I can say that travel, for me, has brought me closer to myself. It’s what God intended me to do.
I chose to search for deep love inside myself, and that love has brought me to the world. It made me realize that I’ve been blessed by connecting with people all over the world. My brother once said, “Angelique, you have been generous and left parts of yourself everywhere.” And he’s right. I shared my spirit with others and hopefully made a difference. Now there are many women in this world carrying a piece of my heart with them. I was able to really connect with my spiritual sense of home while traveling throughout India.
Angelique’s carefree spirit and willingness to explore India freely is an important part of what led to her strong connection. Learn more about traveling without a schedule and with a free spirit here.
Hi there! I am actually trying to contact Angelique!!! I loved her jewelry store here in Syracuse and I’m trying to find out if she still makes it! Please let me know how to get in contact with her… thank you!
Hi Amanda
Unfortunately I have retired for now but perhaps one day I will go back to designing and making.
My
Manufacturer in India too oner many of my designs and is making beautiful pieces. If you are interested feel free to contact me via e mail
Thank you