It’s easy to let fear make you miss opportunities like this, but people are people, and they often respond well to curiosity, respect, and patience. After about 10 minutes with this man in Varanasi, India, we were both very relaxed with each other. A dozen years ago, I was sitting in a monastery in Kathmandu, the first light of day streaming through a single window illuminating a jade-colored drum. At the drum sat a monk, quietly chanting in rhythm with the slow beat. I sat across from him and, with his permission, photographed. Respectfully. Quietly. Never having been more present. I was alone, just the monk and I, in an ancient place and time. And then he looked up, asked me what model camera I was using, and if I…