I am because we are – so an Ubuntu philosophy goes on the ontological question of who am I. This identification of one’s personhood with the society is closer to us, Asians, than the classical statement, “I think, therefore I am” as enunciated by Rene Descartes – the 17th-century French philosopher.

In Bhutan, we also have the moelam, which is a concept similar to karma but with a greater human agency to make things happen, instead of the simplistic good-begets-good, which at times is a bit fatalistic. In Bhutan, we say that we are, and everything is as it is, because of our moelam.

The beauty of moelam is that you have the power to change its course. In fact, moelam means “aspiration path”. You can aspire for anything – both good and bad. (Check my blog post on moelam)

We thrive as a community. We survived as a community. In the early prehistoric times, our ancestors fought off wild animals that were bigger, stronger, faster, and taller simply because we worked in groups.

Modern technologies, such as planes, trains, the Internet and smartphones, have shrunk the world. In the words of Tom Friedman, the world is flat. We have multiple ways to connect and to stay connected. Yet, people feel disconnected, lost ,and isolated. In many countries suicides are on the rise, and mental health has become a public health issue.

So, it is heartwarming, and feels hopeful, when over 70 strangers converge in the jungles of Bali and in less than a week feel an instant connection to each other. This is the fourth time I have been witnessing this. It is not a one-time wonder.

Maybe all is not lost. Maybe we can feel alive, safe, connected, and loved and we can exude our best without the fear of being judged or misunderstood when we are in the right community.

Do you have such a community? If not, I invite you to move out from the current herd and find a new one because there will always be a group that will welcome you, love you unconditionally and let you be who you are.

Being in the right community, the right organisation, or the right company is important for one growth and potential. Just as no flower or plant will grow well in a bad environment, every human needs, and deserves, the right one to flourish.

And of course, if you can’t find one you can also build one.

#community #contentment #chokshey #connections #ubuntu #moelam

(All the pictures are by Dean Raphael, a Bali-based Australian photographer)