As I’m entering the last month of my yearlong Brahmacharya, one of the recent books I’ve read is Chögyam Trungpa's "Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior." For me, the point of Brahmacharya is to unlearn and get into a learning phase. So what am I learning and the subject of focus is my self!
Growing up in Tirunelveli, a caste violence-prone city in Tamilnadu, India, bravery is very different. Bravery is taking an aruval, Billhook machete, and going after someone who just hacked your dad to death. I’ve seen my friend do this. The bravery of a caste leader is measured by the number of people he has killed. If bravery is standing up against the situation causing you fear then the fear here is visible, you see someone angry or running towards you with an aruval or his knuckles approaching your face but how does one face a fear that’s invisible?
The fear of “how can a small-town boy with no financial or political clout implement/convey The Internet of Value protocols.” The fear of facing my darkness. These are intangible fears but to some extent, thanks to our wellbeing protocol, I had started lifting weights, eating clean, etc to make sure my testosterone levels were above optimal which had helped from suicidal thoughts but still the fear of the darkness and the weight of the idea lingered.
Hence, the year-long brahmacharya. In this journey of facing fear/darkness, accepting it, integrating it, and being grateful for it, I've experienced ups and downs. This book has helped me articulate what I’ve been doing. The frame of facing yourself as the highest form of bravery is perfectly in sync with the wellbeing protocol.
Trungpa, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, introduces a concept of warriorship that goes beyond the conventional. It's not about aggression or conquest; it's about gentleness, courage, and self-knowledge. His vision of creating an enlightened society through basic goodness and bravery resonates with my own aspirations for a more equitable and interconnected world.
There are moments in this journey where Trungpa's words have been a beacon. "Too often, people think that solving the world's problems is based on conquering the earth, rather than touching the earth, touching ground," he writes. This reminds me of the importance of staying grounded and connected, even as we venture into the vast and often intangible digital world.
His view on courageousness honor and uplift every person’s contribution and existence.
One quote that particularly strikes a chord with me is, "Real fearlessness is the product of tenderness. It comes from letting the world tickle your heart, your raw and beautiful heart". In my work, I strive to let this fearlessness guide me, allowing empathy and understanding to be the driving forces behind technological and societal advancements.
In conclusion, Trungpa's teachings have been instrumental in shaping my approach to 'The Internet of Value'. His emphasis on genuine human connection, empathy, and warriorship as a way of life deeply informs the way I envision our future. For more on this journey and how it intertwines with the spiritual wisdom of 'Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior', visit The Internet of Value.