Soul force

I have always wondered how fast personal change is possible, and been apprehensive about the idea of expecting too much in too little. I meant time, but I forgot what intensity could do. When you have been through an experience that packs hours and hours of electrifying stimulation coupled with brilliant people to keep you company, change isn't far off. More on this later.

SAYC to me, before I actually got there, was an opportunity to meet people from 7 different countries, attend interesting workshops, and basically have a good time. What I was definitely not expecting was a dip into a sparkling pool of ideas, bathing in warm goodness, and emerging dripping with a glowing sense of possibility. A somewhat rejuvenated, refreshed, and recharged me. In small, subtle ways; in big, spectacular surges. At a point when I had been through weeks of considering joining different organizations and being unsure about my own dreams, SAYC has given me new flight. And this time round, the flight is not just of idle ideas - it's rooted in certain deep realizations and finds its wings in some liberating beliefs.

At every such event, I experiment with different behaviours, set myself some personal challenges, and prepare to be a sponge ready to absorb and learn. The sponge came back this time so full and bursting with insights that I still haven't fully absorbed and internalized all of it. It will take a few more days of silence, stillness, and solitude to take it all in. I will attempt to articulate my biggest learnings - some new, but many old that were reinforced many times over. A few common themes jumped out at me, and I promptly put them away in my jhola for later rumination.

Walk the talk

If there's one thing that differentiates great people from the trying-to-be-great, it's this. From multiple speeches, conversations with speakers, and quiet observations - I'm thoroughly convinced there is nothing more important than congruence in belief, thought, word, and action. Why is a statement on peace by Sri Sri far more valued than if you or I were to make that same statement? (and in one specific instance, I remember making it too!) Am I coming from the same space of peace and well-being that he is? Have I put in as many years chasing my conviction as Anna Hazare has? Why do some leaders, or even ordinary people, get far more respect than others who keep trying to do similar good work?

During one of our family-time discussions (we were divided into smaller groups; I was the family leader of a lovely one) it came up that there were people around who called themselves climate champions but did not switch off lights and water taps after them even when repeatedly reminded to do so. That sparked off a discussion on how this becomes the most important quality - walking the talk - in anyone wanting to create change in the world. Would you believe in me if I spoke of peace but was forever at loggerheads with my family, friends, or conflicted within? First the roots, then the wings.

Small IS beautiful

In terms of numbers, SAYC had 'just' 70 people, but I can't even begin to describe what these 70 people are capable of doing and already working towards, in their own small ways. Like our shayar Saurabh recently said on FB, 'We are like the scattered rays of a single sun trying to enlighten different parts of the society.' The families were small, as were the steps they committed to taking towards Peace - Within, With Others, and With the Environment. But small beginnings create big waves. The Ripple Effect. :)

I haven't read up on E.F. Schumacher's theory, but I do believe that starting small, and the smallest unit being the self, is the way to go. It extends to the other units or organizations one is a part of - family, housing society, school, college, company, club...can I start change at this level before thinking of big things? Anyone who protests, 'I alone can't make a difference, so I won't even try.' is only making an excuse for inaction. Be it for sustainable living, peace, ecology, or any other worthy cause, small is the way to go, for a world that is absurdly obsessed with the big in everything.

The sum of parts is greater than the whole

There are millions of people working at the grassroots working in their own, unique ways towards a better world. What happens when these parts are brought together? The energy generated is dazzling, the assurance and courage one takes back is exhilarating. These things can't be quantified. But even if I take quantifiable work or projects, the power of collaboration is phenomenal. In my 6 days worth of interactions with delegates and speakers at SAYC, I found resources to plug into my school modules on Ecology, Process Thinking, Climate Change; one of the speakers even offered to incubate my idea! Some of the peace initiative ideas generated are already seeing support even from non-participants, and I can't wait to begin working on a cross-border, youth-driven peace initiative. Often, the deep, intangible gains from coming together are felt only in the strength they leave you with, and in the power of what you collectively create.

Confusion is an inseparable part of growing up, as is resolving it

Beyond all the larger-cause discussions, the personal questions were familiar - Should I do an MBA or take up a job? How do I please my parents while pursuing my passion? Can the social cause and personal stakes go together? Am I the only one who cares about this? What do I do with my life?!

It is natural to have confusion, and wise to make peace with it while one is still seeking. There were many experienced, learned people there to provide answers, but the ones whom I found profound where the ones who merely pointed at a direction and suggested ways of addressing the questions. We all have to find our own answers, discover our own truth. My answers, just like my life circumstances, will be different from yours. I cannot but live by it. Prolonged confusion is a terribly energy sapper, and so beyond seeking responses and assurances outside, one has to confront one's own truth. It lies deep within. People will help uncover it, but are you willing to face it?

The power of possibilities

If you're armed with cynicism as your only contribution, I have no qualms saying goodbye. Healthy criticism is one thing and enthu-deflating cynicism is quite another. In our brilliant speaker Ranjan Mallik's terminology, I would rather be a 'fool' than a conformist non-fool. The usual way of being is killing the planet, pitting us against one another. It is possibilities that have challenged and changed the status quo, and I hope all participants go back powered with that sense just as I do.

'If you judge people, you have no time to love them'

This quote by Mother Teresa has become my reality. One of the ground rules laid down in my family time was of not judging people when they were sharing something, especially since we had a person each from Afghanistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, who would have different realities than Indians at many levels. One of my internal resolves was to practice every rule that I lay down, and I took this one pretty seriously given that I was the facilitator for all the family discussions.

The first tiny challenge came up when Nupur, a sweet family member from Dehradun, said in her intro, ' I don't like rains.' As someone who dissolves into nothingness at the onset of monsoons, my first reaction was to exclaim 'What?! How can you not like rains?! You must be nuts!' But I stopped myself, smiled at her, and said, 'I'm glad you're being honest even at the expense of going against popular opinion. That's what we're getting at here.' This was trivial; there were much more serious differences amongst people. But the moment I listened to someone, I visualised the stubborn, conditioned filter called judgement slowly dissolving away, and almost simultaneously, love seeped in. It felt liberating. This isn't easy to keep doing; I reckon judging has become an automated, subconscious process for all of us, segregating people into 'us' and 'them' on any and every count. But it is more than worth the effort, and I have begun pursuing this ideal.

Connections make the world go round

What some call (and study as) 'social capital' was so beautifully demonstrated at the conference. Abhishek used to say in his pre-SAYC introductions - 'Who knows, some day a few of these participants will head governments in their countries, and when they look each other in the eye, they will see not the head of another state, but a long-lost friend they once had a great time in a conference with...and then imagine how the negotiations would proceed.' The thought gives me goosebumps, coz I can see it happening for real someday.

When you get to know someone at a human level, the labels dissolve, and what remains is just that - another human you have bonded with. So many participants went back moved, at having found deep connections in people from across borders. Ayesha was an adorable, chatty girl, not just a Pakistani. Lima was an articulate, budding leader, not just an Afghani. Anirudra (whom we nicknamed 'Colgate' for his ever-present smile) was my family member, not just a Nepali, as was Bhagya ('Jerry')from Sri Lanka. I found someone who said I reminded him of his sister, and another whom I have been really missing. What would one not give to have such amazing, pure, heart-felt connections that you know you can cherish for a lifetime and fall back on anytime?

The white dove

Peace with others (to me) is having a passionate, heated, almost belligerent, argument about Narendra Modi over breakfast table with a gang you've stayed up all night with, then running for an idli and coming back to a laughing table, joining them in laughing, and going back arm-in-arm like comrades fighting for a common cause.

Peace is smiling every time I think of the collective chorus of youth from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and other nations alike shouting for peace, for one South Asia.

Peace is not trying to dissolve differences, but accepting, embracing, and celebrating them, like we did.

Peace is what happened over that unforgettable week at SAYC, and what is throbbing as soul force inside every cell of my being.