Vishal Srivastava Newsletter

Darkness, Diwali, Authenticity

Hello friend!

It is Diwali week.

I find it fascinating that the festival of lights is celebrated on the night of the new moon when the darkness is at its peak.

I cannot help but think about the darkness that can lie within ourselves.

It could be a difficult past, traumatic childhood, harmful habits, compulsive tendencies, and so on.

These are the ones who tend to rear their ugly head every time we try to live up to our potential. No matter how much we try to suppress them, they find a way to be persistent in our lives.

But maybe, it is much more than defeating the darkness, though. After all, what you resist often persists.

It is more about awareness of the darkness.

It is about recognizing that the dark exists- just like a shadow. If you resist the shadow, it just gets darker.

It is about honoring it as part of ourselves.

It is about gently leaning into the darkness with the light of our awareness rather than suppressing it or acting out mindlessly.

photo of candle — Image courtesy: Unsplash

Because both light and dark exist together.

In the words of Carl Jung,

“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”
Carl Jung

So this Diwali, I hope you find the courage to face your darkness with the light of your awareness and find a way to honor the shadow. 🙂

With that rather long beginning note, here is what I have to share this week.

Recommended Book: The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

I read fiction after a long time and it was quite refreshing. It is about what happens when a 79-year-old consciously decides to write about the truth of his life in a notebook and leaves it lying around in a cafe.

That notebook goes through different people who chose to write their truths. It is not the truth you see on Instagram, though- it is the one without filters.

How their unfiltered truths bring them together in unexpected ways forms the story of The Authenticity Project. In fact, in some way, I also see it as a story of people honoring their shadows that eventually results in more light in their lives.

Article of the Week: How the Pandemic is Flipping Maslow’s Pyramid

The article talks about how pandemic has “triggered an acute need of self-actualization” that is at the top of Maslow’s pyramid.

I do feel that this might not be true for a large section of the society for whom survival and safety are of paramount importance. However, for the traditional “office-going” workforce, it has definitely given more perspective.

I related the most when the author says how many people are “no longer willing to grind for years, doing meaningless work, commuting hours every day (to make next promotion or add “Senior” to their title) when there is an acute feeling that you can, for example, any day, catch an invisible virus and meet your end abruptly.”

Fun Weekend Watch: Free Guy

If you’re looking to watch something light with a sci-fi twist and dose of philosophy, Free Guy must be on your watchlist this weekend!

It is about what happens when an AI in a global multi-player game comes alive and starts making his own choices. And when that AI is played by Ryan Reynolds, you know it is going to be a helluva ride!

It is a special treat for sci-fi and pop-culture nerds but definitely has things that make it a wholesome entertaining watch for anyone. It also raises some really thought-provoking questions about free will and the moral and ethical implications of such AI when it becomes a reality in the future.

You can catch it on Disney HotStar (if you are in India, not sure about other countries) and probably your nearest theaters if you are elsewhere.

This was it for this week and the fourth edition of this newsletter!

If you like it, do share it with your friends or family (or coworkers if you like them :D) who might want to read it.

You can now also check out the past editions of this newsletter on the website if you missed them earlier in your inbox.

Edition 1- New Beginnings
Edition-2 Remote work, consistency, & creator economy
Edition-3 Shenpa

Thank you for your support so far and the encouraging replies and feedback! Keep them coming! 🙂

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy Diwali!!

Love
Vishal