Gesterday I ended the year with a joint meditation. It was wonderful, calm and focused. And right now I want to go to the sea, swim a little, which seems like a good start.
I let my mind's eye wander a little over the last few years and decades. I have lived in different places in different countries. It was exciting: different customs and traditions, languages, cultures, different sensory impressions, from nature and cuisine to architecture, celebrating together, etc. I enjoyed many things, wondered about many things, was inspired and told other people stories, changed perspectives. I thought I'd had an interesting life.
Performance
I have participated in a world that strives for progress and is committed to enlightenment. In order to participate in a certain form of prosperity, which everyone negotiates for themselves individually according to their desires and possibilities, a price is demanded: performance. This technical word, which reminds me of physics lessons and the horsepower of cars, is the unit in which everything is calculated. For most, performance is linked to wages; for those who can afford it or want it by adapting their lifestyle, it can be recognition. In any case, these are very external criteria; very few people consistently align their lives with their own ideals. But even this inner compulsion to be true to oneself still follows the performance principle.
I really wonder whether there really is no alternative to this organization of society.
Karma yoga is not capitalism
The Auroville experiment, in which I am participating here, is trying to develop an alternative. And yes, to agree with the critics right away: It doesn't pay off. But it would be a misunderstanding to focus on this perspective. Karma yoga is not capitalism.
I must and will also admit that I am in a privileged position to be able to afford to switch between different living environments. However, having lived in so many countries, I have to say that it is much easier to change your lifestyle than most people think. It also means making sacrifices.
But I'm seriously asking myself whether I still want the luxury of flexibility at all.
