Collective Consciousness and the Journey of ‘Being & Belonging’
Summary
In this article, I reflect on the successful global launch event of my book, “Being & Belonging: A Journey of Curiosity and Imagination.” The event brought together distinguished thinkers and practitioners from various fields, fostering insightful discussions on the themes and concepts I presented in the book. I aimfor my book to serve as a catalyst to reignite the core values and curiosities of design while encouraging readers to contemplate the meaning of being human. Through this reflection, I emphasize the importance of collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches in driving innovation and shaping our collective future. As we navigate through a post-Covid and AI-driven world, I invite readers to engage in mindful conversations surrounding our interconnectedness and contribute to the ongoing exploration of what it means to be human in an ever-changing world.
Background
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the global launch of my latest book, “Being & Belonging: A Journey of Curiosity and Imagination.” We received an overwhelming response, with 152 RSVPs and close to a hundred curious fellow travelers from North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, including India, attending the event.
Towards the end of the session, our daughter Isha, who was moderating the event, asked me about my intentions behind writing the book. My sincere response was that intention did not drive me to write this book. Instead, it was the osmosis of a series of life events that sparked the impulse to put my thoughts into words, ultimately resulting in this book.
Reflections
The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in prompting me to embark on a series of reflective conversations. I engaged in various projects, such as writing and sharing poetry, conducting an oral history project, and facilitating community dialogues. Most importantly, I took a break from my business to reflect on my life experiences and contemplate the path ahead. This book, “Being & Belonging: A Journey of Curiosity and Imagination,” is the culmination of insights gained from three decades of traveling the world, observing people, cultures, and change, as well as the past five years of community conversations and personal contemplation. In addition, my work in participatory design and curiosity about how everyday people perceive, understand, and practice design have significantly influenced the ideas presented in the book. Through these experiences, I have come to appreciate the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of collaboration in shaping our collective future. The book invites readers to contemplate what it means to be human and how our shared experiences can shape the future through interdependence, collaboration, and creativity.
Pointers to the Path ahead
In his address, keynote speaker Narendra Dengle acknowledged my reference to Siddhartha as one of the fictional characters who have influenced me. He shared an excerpt from Hermann Hesse’s novel “Siddhartha,” where the protagonist embarks on a spiritual journey of self-discovery. In this passage, Siddhartha, when asked about his capabilities, replies, “I can think, I can wait, and I can fast.” This response encapsulates Siddhartha’s dedication to contemplation, patience, and asceticism in pursuit of spiritual awakening.
This response encapsulates Siddhartha’s deep introspection and commitment to his spiritual path. By “thinking,” Siddhartha demonstrates his intellectual prowess and ability to contemplate the profound questions of existence. The ability to “wait” signifies his patience and perseverance in the face of challenges, as well as his understanding that true enlightenment cannot be rushed. Lastly, “fasting” symbolizes Siddhartha’s willingness to forgo physical pleasures and embrace ascetic practices in pursuit of spiritual awakening.
Together, these three capabilities — thinking, waiting, and fasting — represent Siddhartha’s unwavering dedication to his spiritual journey and the cultivation of wisdom, demonstrating his belief that the path to enlightenment is found within oneself.
Reflecting on Narendra Dengle’s reference to Siddhartha, I couldn’t help but ponder if he was inadvertently shedding light on the path of curiosity and imagination that ultimately culminated in the serendipitous creation of this book.
Following the book launch, I received a message that highlighted potential avenues for future exploration. Fuqin (Kook) Hu, a McCall MacBain Scholar at McGill University in Montreal and an attendee at the event, reached out to me. Inspired by a comment from speakers Steve Kaneko and Edie Adams, who described the book as a space for “free thinking and co-creation,” Fuqin extended an invitation to engage in a dialogue at the Building 21 project in Montreal. This opportunity further emphasizes the importance of collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches in fostering innovation and growth.
Building 21, or B21, is an innovative interdisciplinary project at McGill University, which provides a space for undergraduate and graduate students to pursue unique, daring, beautiful, and rigorous ideas and scholarship. Students from any program and level of study are eligible to apply for short, intense summer fellowships where they can explore and develop their ideas with the support of mentors, like-minded peers, and the freedom to contemplate and grow their projects. Building 21 also serves as a meeting space for scholars, staff, alumni, and community members to engage in discussions, workshops, and various events. The initiative aims to cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative environment for exploration and the pursuit of knowledge.
Fuqin suggested that the conversation at Building 21 could explore topics such as mindfulness, curiosity, design thinking and co-creation.
During her address, speaker Simona Maschi drew attention to the fact that design, prior to the Industrial Revolution, was an evolutionary process deeply rooted in balance, proximity, and scale. She expressed her belief that the book serves as a catalyst to reignite these core values and curiosities, ultimately encouraging a return to the fundamental ethos of design. Furthermore, Simona advocated for making the book available to future generations of design students, with the aspiration that the principles of nature-inspired design could once again become integral to design pedagogy.
In response to Simona Maschi’s recommendation, Radhi Parekh, the head of Artisans’ Centre in Mumbai, promptly offered to share the video recording of the session with their extensive network of educators.
Speaker Dr. Thomas Daffern, a philosopher, educator, musician, poet, and peace studies expert, brought attention to the Buddhist concept of “alaya-vijnana” or “storehouse consciousness,” which closely relates to the idea of collective consciousness found in various texts. This term, prominently featured in the Yogacara school of Mahayana Buddhism, represents a shared collection of mental impressions, memories, and karma connecting all sentient beings. Alaya-vijnana transcends individual minds, acting as a collective store of past experiences and potential future experiences, ultimately highlighting the interconnectedness of all life. As such, alaya-vijnana offers a Buddhist perspective on collective consciousness.
Dr. Daffern praised the book for elevating design discourse to new levels and recognized the author’s hard-earned freedom to share his truthful perspectives on the world at this stage in his life. He hailed the book as a pioneering achievement, guiding readers to the edge of the forest and encouraging them to explore and embrace their own understanding of the truth.
Building upon the profound insights shared by Dr. Thomas Daffern, Michael McKay, a Vice President at the Danish company Novo Nordisk, reflected on the significant role that the author’s ideas have played in shaping his own approach to innovation. Over the course of numerous conversations spanning two decades, McKay has come to recognize the vital importance of co-creation as a foundation for driving innovation within his organization. The impact of these discussions , he suggested, serves as a testament to the book’s capacity to inspire fresh perspectives and transformative approaches in the pursuit of creative collaboration.
Looking Ahead
The dialogue generated by this session underscores our shared desire to continue engaging in mindful conversations surrounding the ideas presented in “Being & Belonging.” As we navigate the challenges of a post-Covid-19 world and the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, it is essential that we collectively contemplate the meaning of being human and foster a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness.
It is our hope that curious individuals, educational institutions, communities, and parents will embrace this book and engage in collective discussions about its themes. By traveling and facilitating these conversations, we can work together to cultivate a healthy and vibrant social imagination, encouraging curiosity and nurturing collective consciousness.
As the journey continues, we invite readers to share their thoughts, insights, and ideas inspired by “Being & Belonging,” contributing to the ongoing exploration of what it means to be human in an ever-changing world.
