Exploring the Forest of Life: How Curiosity and Imagination Fuel Spiritual Growth Amidst Life’s Changing Stages
Summary:
In this article, I share my personal journey of transitioning from the material-driven Grihasthashram (ग्रुहस्थाश्रम) phase to the spiritually-focused Vanaprasthashram (वानप्रस्थाश्रम) stage. I explore the challenges and fears that arise during this shift and discuss the role of curiosity, imagination, and wisdom in navigating the forest of the soul. Ultimately, my experiences highlight the importance of embracing life’s ever-changing stages and harnessing the power of personal growth and spiritual exploration.
Photo Credit: Hans Ott, Unsplash
The Article:
Recently, a friend of mine, Prof. Kirti Trivedi, a widely respected designer, design educator, and Gandhian, explained to me the meaning of Vanaprasthashram (वानप्रस्थाश्रम), the third of the four life stages outlined in Vedic philosophy. The four Ashramas are: ब्रह्मचार्याश्रम-Brahmacharya Ashram (a development phase where the focus is on cultivating knowledge, values, life skills, and character under the guidance of a teacher), ग्रुहस्थाश्रम- Grihastha Ashram (a homebuilder phase where the focus is on earning a livelihood and assuming responsibilities and duties for one’s family, community, and society), वानप्रस्थाश्रम- Vanaprastha Ashram (an explorer of the forest phase where the focus is on moving away from worldly pursuits and responsibilities to pursue spiritual curiosities, metaphorically expressed as unraveling the mysteries of the forest), and सन्यासाश्रम- Sannyasa Ashram (a renunciation phase where the only objective is the liberation of the soul and leaving life without regret or attachment to unfulfilled desires).
Kirti was helping me recognize that the universe has opened a new pathway of fulfillment for me, and this new turn in my life could be best explained through the wise words of a person who once told him, “Vanaprasthashram does not mean leaving daily life and going into the forest. It means looking at the world as you would look at the forest. You admire its beauty and diversity but do not want to own it. In Grihasthashrama, you want to expand your personal world, but in Vanaprasthashram, you do not need to.” My takeaway from the conversation was that in Vanaprasthashrama, one does not view the world with a desire to own a piece of it but rather approaches it with an openness to explore the whole while seeing oneself as an integral part of it.
Kirti further explained that he sees himself in his own Vanaprasthashram as a Rishi (a sage or a Yoda) engaged in Tapasya (the ignition of spiritual fire through disciplined meditation for the purification of the body and mind in pursuit of enlightenment and awakening).
It occurred to me that when you ignite the spiritual fire, you invite others to a new path of renewing collective consciousness. I began to feel at ease with my struggles in letting go of my desire to cling to my identity as a consultant, who had been engaged for five decades in serving the insight needs of my clients and the cashflow needs of my business, thereby seeking a sense of accomplishment and social validation.
The whole conversation with Kirti was triggered when I sought his feedback on the subtitle for my forthcoming biographic book, “The Art of Being and Belonging.” The conversation made me realize that a bigger picture was emerging in my consciousness when I spontaneously decided to call the story of my journey of curiosity, compassion, and imagination “The Art of Being & Belonging.” It was a stepping stone into Vanaprasthashram and the beginning of an era of Tapasya. A whole forest is waiting for me to explore, which I could only delay if I remained attached to the trappings of Grihasthashram.
It’s not easy to free oneself from the chains of Grihasthashram. The first sign of entering Vanaprasthashram is when the body begins to show signs of rejecting the shackles deeply entrenched in our flesh. It takes a lot of courage and patience to remove some of these chains, allowing the wounds of confinement during Grihasthashram to heal and letting the soul wander freely into the forest. The fact that there are no clear pathways in the forest makes the journey ahead more intriguing, challenging, and ultimately rewarding.
Fortunately, several of my philosophically-inclined friends have expressed similar sentiments to me, either because they recognize this new life stage and are ready for it or struggle to let go of the previous one. The fear of getting lost in the forest or being forgotten by the world can cause anxiety. At the same time, the assurance to venture into the forest comes to me when I compare this transition to moving from Brahmacharya to Grihasthashram, where the knowledge gained from teachers fueled my energy and imagination to explore new pathways. Today, I feel empowered not only by the teachings of the mentors I’ve met along the way but also by the wealth of wisdom, expanded imagination, and consciousness from a lifetime of curiosity and exploration.
I hope that my book, “The Art of Being & Belonging,” will reveal to readers the various pathways that have led me to the edge of the forest and inspire them on their journeys.
