Being in the Ashram, the answer to what vitality means has unraveled for me. Meeting the staff, people who have dedicated a period of their lives to the Ashrams’ philosophy, I see more than the sparkle of ‘levenslust’ in their eyes.

What I see is this huge bubble of playfulness floating around them and following them wherever they go. For example Satyaki and Deepak, with whom I work on the media team, have so much infectious playfulness in their characters. They invite me to turn on my goblin mode, a state where the constraints of societal expectations and self-doubt dissolve, leaving room only for absurdity and unapologetic authenticity.

To be honest, it is the opposite of what I expected to see in an Ashram but it makes a lot of sense.

From what I have observed, those who consciously cultivate stillness, whether through yoga, meditation, or any form that works for them, embody this strong sense of self. And with that comes a lot of light, warmth, and acceptance for life as it unfolds. In this state of clarity, I can only imagine how lighthearted they must feel.

When you do not feel like you are being pulled down by life’s challenges, a space opens up for you where you can dance freely. Playfully. I cannot help but smile when I am around Satyaki and Deepak.

It warms my heart when they shine their light on me, and I can only hope that I pay it forward. That I can share my playfulness, vitality, and light with the following people I meet.