Becoming Boring

I have a yoga ashram I go to in India and my understanding of an ashram is that it is a place where you put in effort. In the ashram I go to, that effort is directed towards Yoga and Seva (service). Schumacher college is also an ashram in this understanding - one where the effort is put towards an inquiry of how we can better live in this world, an inquiry that involves the intellect, emotions and spirit. It is a bubble in which I was able to nurture this inquiry through these different faculties, in community, in the hopes of being able to live those values outside of the bubble as well, similar to the yoga ashram.

While upholding these values without the community and land is something that I’m still trying to be aware of and struggling to embody deeply, I already feel like I have been able to integrate certain learnings in my life outside the Schumacher bubble. Just like when I found the ashram I felt a sense of coming home for the spiritual enquiry that had been guiding me for many years, channeling what was quite a restless seeking energy. Similarly, I feel like this larger inquiry of how to live in the world has also found a home in the idea and inspiration I was blessed to live for a year at Schumacher.

Until I found my way to Schumacher, I had spent most of my life trying very hard to fit into the world(s) I found myself living in - the world of material accumulation, activism, and stimulation. At Schumacher, however, I found a world where my efforts didn’t need to be directed towards fitting in anymore. I just felt like I belonged, that I was home, even the parts of me that didn’t necessarily fit in were welcome. This allowed me the space to express myself and my curiosities in ways I’ve never experienced before.

In my life now, I’m feeling a lesser need to try and fit into the world occupied by previous selves and most people I find myself surrounded by. This has allowed me to use my energy in pursuing the things that interest me: how to live better in this world and this life. These are efforts are directed at changing the ways in which I work, such as flattening the hierarchical structures at the family business I am in the process of taking over; I am also directing energy into setting up a trust of sorts that will allow me to redirect some of the excess wealth that our family has accumulated, channeling it towards causes that are close to my heart; and lastly I am using what energy I have left in working on this piece of land we have, trying to become more autonomous in looking after my needs. These are the ways in which I am directing the energies of Head, Heart and Hands.

I am able to do these things now because I am no longer afraid of being bored and therefore ‘boring’. The energy I used to put into either fitting in or in escaping the reality that I don’t fit in is now being directed towards putting my head down and working on the things that matter to me instead of chasing the illusory happiness and validation that being ‘cool’ or wealthy or fun are supposed to bring. I am able to do more by minimising and simplifying my life.

In short, basically, Schumacher has made me boring.

And I am immensely grateful.