Dear Navyug:

Never shall I forget the association I had with you and QAI. Didn't find the heart to write to a fine individual like you to tell you that we have wound up everything in Bangalore and gone in search of a better environment to begin living like sages. Part of the reason is guilt in going away from the fine institution your team has built under your stewardship. To a smaller extent it is mixed and confused feeling of disappointment, sadness, excitement, and adventure.

We can hardly be called sages, but there is peace and energy in our hearts. The kids have started teaching us many a great things about our own selves, particularly our shortcomings. They began learning with us in our gurukulam three weeks ago in Coimbatore, the city wherein we have parked ourselves till we find a village to settle down for good.

We work harder nowadays. The day usually begins at about 5.30 am for all of us. Simple physical exercises begin at about six. Our three children and our sister's child also start at the same time. Exercises take about forty five minutes, the most popular of them is not surprisingly the Savasana, the relaxation part. After the exercises the children begin house work while Achyuthan, Radha and myself sit down to meditate for twenty minutes or so. The house work begins by around seven. Achyuthan and I take turns to wash toilets and kitchen vessels. The other kids sweep and mop the floor inside the house and wash the portico outside and put a rangoli. There is a bit of a competition to put rangoli as it is fun doing it. Everyone shares the household work. Of course we all like to cheat a bit by reading a comic or newspaper in between.

The intention is to learn every little work that is necessary to live a sustainable life. Yesterday I had been to a barber shop to learn hair cutting. It is fun. I even fancied for a second about owning a barber shop. I intend to fully learn this skill. So will my children, am sure. After all, I need someone to cut my hair.

We have taken 9 vows of which control of the palate appears like the most difficult one to manage. I practice eating food without tasting it. We believe that food is meant for health. How could I, who had enjoyed eating fried food all my life, train myself to eat only healthy diet?! But, experiment I must. There are no chilies and tamarind in our food nowadays plus we eat only twice a day. Surprisingly we are all lot more healthy and energetic. May be all this while we have been eating lot more than what our bodies actually needed.

During the day we are all learning. There is only rule here: Non-violence/non-hurting. And, that's tough to follow because we have defined even staring a person with angered eyes as violence. If any two members get into a conflict we have a 'meeting', usually chaired by an adult learner. I somehow get the feeling that I chair most of these meetings. The objective of these meetings is to listen, empathize and facilitate a discussion. I remember you each time such a meeting happens. You once told me that you act as a father and a mother while at office, switching between these two roles as needed. Teaching has been defined as a violent word in our gurukulam. Hence, an attempt is being made to create a learning environment. We encourage each other to seek motivation within us to learn by ourselves. I tell you, the children are great motivators. They set better examples than ourselves.

We intend to lead a life of Zero ambition living while also attempting to pursue a Level 5 lazy life. You'd recall how beautifully you explained the level 5 laziness once. You must one day write about it. The concept is intriguing indeed.

It would be great to hear from Navyug, the person. One day after we settle down in a village you must take time off to come and stay with us. Until then, please do write to me.

warm regards,
krish murali.