I understand the basics of advaita vedanta because I’ve learned it from clever people, explained to me in clever ways, using some words I understand and some I don’t. But from what I do understand, I value it higher than anything. I think advaita vedanta is a way of being that would help working class people, and people generally, to unite. Using topics around identity, I hope to unite us under the same lived experience by living that shared same existence to its fullest. Speaking with those who we may disagree with, those who we may agree with, those we like, those we don’t like, those that are good, those that are bad, those that are me, those that are you, those that are us, those that are we. For if our experience is one, we are one. We just need to recognise it.
I hope to do this by simply introducing it to the majority of people. Working people like me, who don’t have to understand the full complexities of consciousness, just a simple introduction—one I feel I can give them, spoken in a language they can understand. One that I can only speak because I can only give a simple lesson, not a complex one.
Think of me as a primary school teacher that inspires the majority to unite. Then, as one, once we are one, I become a student, no different to you, as we can start to progress. For an individual’s progress is only progressive to them; a collective progress is progressive to us, and that’s my ambition. Hopefully ours soon.
I often mention my dream of one day having great minds given a platform by lesser minds with more of a following. What I’m trying to say is we live in a social media era where, even if I knew everything, if I’ve not played the game of social media and tried reaching those through an algorithm, even if my words were needed, they most likely would never be heard. Therefore, I recognise intelligence and wisdom in the modern day the same as influence, whether that’s your Love Island contestant or your football influencer. I’m currently working in an ice cream parlour—a great mind capable of great things. But the words I say right now will be quieter than the words of a social media influencer. Therefore, instead of me becoming a social media influencer that has clout but no real purpose, or a genius with no real modern influence, I hope to be both and neither at the same time. I want to put the same identity on the genius and the influencer so the influencer can platform the genius. Simultaneously, I recognise the majority of people are working and not geniuses like me—not saying I’m a genius. I’m saying I’m stupid and working, but the majority of people are the same. Therefore, they are valuable. Under this condition of us truly being one, we can begin to progress as one. I’m not for divisive reasons, not someone’s benefit at the cost of someone else’s suffering. An attempt at being I’ve not seen before, but one I think is possible.
Willingness is another point. Some geniuses like Alex O’Connor, who I listen to a lot, get support from those who have interest in these themes of philosophy, theology, and belief. I’d argue, though, those who need to hear those words most choose to not listen, or don’t know why they should listen, or don’t have time to listen because they’re too busy working. What I’m saying is those most in need of radical change probably aren’t even aware of the possibilities—not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know, the same way I wouldn’t if not for my unique life experiences. I recognise personally that I’m now better after discovering this way of being, so I want those like me to be given the chance to experience it themselves. Whether they accept it or not is their choice, and I accept that, but what drives me is giving them that option, for it currently does not exist.
It already exists in my mind and can be our reality soon.
I happen to live in London, England, a diverse city in a country currently struggling. A fear of culture being eroded, and opinion is as divided as ever. I come from a mixed background, and this country, whether I like it or not, I am a part of its culture, and it is a part of me. I’ll always be British in the way I am because that’s the only way I know to be. That’s now my character—one I didn’t choose, whether I like it or not, or you like it or not. I want to see this country succeed, but in some indigenous white English people’s minds, my support isn’t wanted—in fact, it’s unwanted. To some, I’m unwanted. Therefore, I’m conflicted and don’t feel true passion to cling to any identity other than the one we all share, whether we know it or not, which is consciousness and our shared experiences.
Is it England till I die, or England when I die?
I’ll leave that down to your own interpretation. Whether I must kill a part of me that isn’t English off in order to be English. Whether all those like me who aren’t fully English must die in order for England to be English again. Whether the pride in being English is historically down to killing those like me through pride in empire.
The fact is I don’t know the answer to that and can’t get a clear answer due to varied opinions. Clinging to any identity that is impermanent, to me, isn’t worth passion at all. But what I can say is I love this country, and I want it to succeed the same way I love every country and want it to succeed. I see myself in all people, those better and worse than me. And my passion is for that way of being to spread. Therefore, I want to spend my days spreading that message in hope of bringing a better future for all, not for some. In the process of that, though, I’ll certainly enjoy walking around in my silly mask asking these kinds of questions.
I’ve really been struggling mentally recently—with loneliness, with money. I wasn’t going to do this bit, but I’ve just spilled ice cream all over myself, and I’d be lying if I said emotions weren’t a big reason behind what I do as well. Listening to this conversation between Alex O’Connor and Swami is making me want to go to India, become a meditative man, and let the world go on. I probably will do that one day. If my ego was consumed by only me, my choices would be so easy. Whether I like it or not, it’s not that way. My ego, my consciousness, is not only for me, but for you. I could be a nobody, I could be crazy, but I feel I carry a message for all that needs to be heard. Keeping it within me is suffering; telling it is liberation. Perhaps you view this way of being as stupid and impossible, but I can’t help it—the passion that’s within me outweighs everything else, which is why I must do it.
