10 years ago, my work as a consultant had taken me to a beautiful country in South-east Asia. Though the work was quite hectic, there was plenty of time for quiet reflection and learning. I had a great Guru, a philosopher and original thinker who mercilessly challenged every assumption I made and every conclusion I reached.
There was the great outdoors as well, with mountains and streams ready to calm and soothe my wounded ego. You see, being alone doesn’t make it any easier. You can run to the forest. But you still take your mind and body with you. and they are never quiet.
Cut to today. My diaries are being written in the heart of a concrete jungle, in the middle of the great recession. I see tense faces, talented youth with their career at the crossroads, men and women suffering from broken dreams and unfaithful spouses, services to cater to every human desire imaginable, prophets and healers promising deliverance in a weekend retreat at the outskirts, social networks swarming with familiar strangers, desperately seeking identity, belonging and purpose.
But I am not a self-righteous preacher, nor am I a know-it-all. I am not saying here that the world of today sucks big time. On the contrary, I feel its a great opportunity for enlightened living.
For a moment now, take a step back. Consider the totality of Urban living.
The good stuff:
– Earning a living
– Making friends
– Wealth
– Recreation
– Relaxation
– Safety
– Health
– Professional satisfaction
– Resources to support Creativity
– Building things that are useful to society
– Learning and growth
The tough stuff:
– hollowness/emptiness
– purposelessness (if not creating something enduring for generations)
– lack of meaning beyond the pleasure principle
– individualistic and competitive
– no reliable confidantes and mentors
– accumulated stress and negative energy
– risk of failure always looms large
– fear of isolation/being rejected
– fear of losing what you value
– losing a sense of belonging and connection with nature
– no help in making big decisions/choices
– no support or time for reflection, learning and development
– difficult to pause and renew oneself, as the pace is always fast
– struggle to maintain one’s energy level in a hectic lifestyle
– dissatisfaction, restlessness
You see, the tension between the good stuff and the tough stuff forces us back to basics, again and again, at periodic intervals. Sometimes, we hear that voice loud and clear. But other times, we just shrug and get on with that next meeting or presentation.
The journey of going back to basics is the journey to enlightened living. They are one and the same.
But what is this journey all about? What is enlightened living? Do i need to take drugs? Should I drop everything and run off to the forest ?
it all is so so right.. and i want some further reading.. but there is no link here.. where do i find the next step..pls help..
thanks
Hi aanchal, you might have reached this link through another site. If you need some help with this blog, feel free to e-mail me or join up on facebook and post your comments. best regds