The Art of Being & Belonging: A Synthesis of Journeys

The experience of writing my book, The Art of Being & Belonging, has led me to synthesize my own journey as a voyage on a boat set to sail beyond the line where the sky meets the ocean. While it’s one thing to travel far in the real world, crossing oceans and meeting new people, the journey of revisiting the past is equally fascinating. One has the choice of making it a lonely journey or one filled with imaginary friends.

In my journey of musing about the evolution of my mind, I invited three literary characters as companions: Siddhartha from Hermann Hesse’s novel of the same name, Jonathan Livingston Seagull from Richard Bach’s book, and Santiago from Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. These characters have been my companions for several decades, their stories inspiring me to keep exploring the expanse of space that extends from the depths of my consciousness to the edges of the universe.

As I delved deeper into writing, I pondered what my years spent wandering the world as a researcher, talking to strangers about their lives and dreams, truly meant to me. It occurred to me that my nomadic forays were, after all, a voyage of exploring the unknown and understanding human nature and purpose.

The Art of Being & Belonging is the story of Santiago, Siddhartha, and Jonathan Livingston Seagull, who never left my side and kept talking to me, giving me hope and cheering me along my journey. Despite their differences in setting, characters, and plot, their stories revealed several common themes and ideas:

1. Spiritual Journey: All three stories involve transformative journeys of the spirit where the main characters seek deeper meaning, fulfillment, and enlightenment.
2. Perseverance: Each character demonstrates a strong determination to pursue their respective goals, showing resilience and unwavering will in the face of adversity.
3. Self-Discovery: Throughout their journeys, the characters discover more about themselves and their place in the world, finding wisdom and meaning in their experiences.
4. Mentors and Teachers: Each protagonist encounters individuals who provide guidance, wisdom, and companionship during their struggles, helping them grow and learn valuable lessons.
5. Concept of Unity: These stories touch upon the idea of interconnectedness and the unity of all things, be it through Siddhartha’s understanding of life’s unity, Santiago’s connection to the sea, or Jonathan’s realization of the limitless nature of existence.
6. Transcendence: The characters ultimately transcend their limitations and worldly attachments to achieve a higher state of being or spiritual enlightenment.

I hope that The Art of Being & Belonging will bring you the voice and wisdom of my three companions on this voyage, just as Vasudeva brought clarity to Siddhartha in his pursuit of enlightenment.