Letter #32 Altruism, Kshamavani , Karma & Rebirth
I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy - Rabindranath Tagore
Dear Friend,
In just two days, I'll be turning 26, and it's a mix of excitement and a touch of intimidation. Time seems to pass quickly, which can be unsettling. But in those moments, I find comfort in the bigger picture, realizing that each passing moment is relatively small. As Marcus Aurelius once said.
The memory of everything is very soon overwhelmed in time
Approaching my 26th birthday, I take a moment to reflect on the 25 years that have shaped me. It's a time for self-reflection, where I think about the valuable lessons life has taught me. One principle that holds a special place in my heart is altruism—the selfless dedication to helping others. It's this philosophy that inspired the creation of Bohemian Dialogue, a newsletter I've faithfully written since its beginning, despite the occasional challenges. Bohemian Dialogue has become a sacred space, a personal commitment to write every weekend.
It's truly liberating to realize that every job or task is an opportunity for service—a duty to be fulfilled wholeheartedly. This realization brings about a sense of freedom. Recently, I discovered a Jain festival that beautifully embodies the concept of duty. On the sacred day of Kshamavani, every member of the Jain community approaches everyone, regardless of their religion, seeking forgiveness for all past mistakes, whether intentional or unintentional. By releasing the weight of their past sins, they embark on a fresh start, living in harmony with others. Asking for forgiveness becomes one's duty while forgiving becomes the duty of others.
All of this takes me back to my roots. There comes a point in everyone's life when they reconnect with their roots. The concept of Karma has always been significant in my household—how one's good karma leads to positive rebirths.
I’ll write again, my friend.
Yours,
Bohemian Dialogue