Life Update + Insights (Version: March 2024)

It’s been a long time (or at least feels like that), and I missed writing this newsletter. If you’re reading this (or are a subscriber), I hope you did too.

The title is self-explanatory this time. I’ll be sharing my reflections from the journey of self-publishing a book, disappearing for 2 weeks into the Himalayas of Ladakh, and some book recommendations.

Part 1

Being someone who feels deeply, I’ve always found it hard to express it all. Sometimes, it just felt too much, and other times I was told it was too much. Regardless, I think I have finally learned to accept things as they are.

I’ve been writing poems ever since I was a kid. My first poem was a religious song (as a consequence of spending my early childhood with my grandmother). Later, it became a mode of expression and I fell in love with rhymes and rhythms. Without sounding too cliche, our breaths and heartbeats have beautiful rhythms too.

So I had to pour it out, and I compiled my favorite ones into a book and self-published it under the title, “GENESIS: Origin of Love”. It explores the deepest facets of human connection and existential explorations. It delves into the dynamics of love, consciousness, human experiences, and connections on metaphysical planes. The question is, “Can we transcend space and time?”. I think, with love, we can!

There’s a long way to go, and I have more things under work but for now, let’s just explore the GENESIS!

I bought the ISBNs from Publishing Spot and published the book via Amazon KDP. Along with that, I took another approach of using NotionPress which offers an end-to-end solution for publishing books. Out of the two ways, I recommend NotionPress over going all by yourself.

Ping me if you want to dive deeper into the book or the self-publishing process.

Now, about the 2 week-long retreat in the mountains!

Part 2

I went to live with a Muslim family in Chuchoot village near Leh capital of Ladakh for 2 weeks to experience the Ramadan celebrations, and it was the best thing ever! Better than any trips I’ve ever had. (PS: It was my 3rd time visiting Ladakh in the last 9 months only.)

There are 3 things that make a place special IMO:

1. The People

2. The Geography

3. The Culture

Ladakh is very special and close to my heart in all three respects. (Tbh, I’m getting a Deja Vu as I’m writing this).

The People of Ladakh

The population of Ladakh is merely around 3 lakh people spread across 113 villages and the major districts of Leh and Kargil. It was granted the status of a union territory in 2019.

The main religious groups in the region are Muslims (46%), Buddhists (40%), and Hindus (12%) with the remaining 2% made of other religions. With both the major religions being the central proponents of peace, the region exhibits a cultural harmony like no other place.

Every single person I’ve ever met in Ladakh has been extremely hardworking, generous, and welcoming. This is the place you go to heal and to be at peace.

Recently, I also had the privilege to take part in the 13th day of Climate Fast Protest demanding the protection of Ladakh’s environment and ecology through the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. While Mr. Sonam Wangchuk sat on a hunger strike, most of us chanted prayers led by the elderly people (who seemed over 80 years old btw). Normally, one would expect the protests to leave one exhausted, but ClimateFast brings one contentment and meaning. It also made me understand how powerful the roars of peaceful protest are!

Most importantly, the order and management of the protest not only left me surprised, but I also got to witness the determination and resilience of the Ladakhi people.

Btw, this protest is the most important one in the recent history of humankind as Ladakh hosts a part of the Hindukush Himalaya Mountains that support over 2 billion people with water and the majority of farmers across the Indian Subcontinent.

It is extremely common for strangers to smile at each other say, “Jullay” or “Assalamu alaykum” in Ladakh. You’ll always find people shaking hands, hugging each other, or laughing in every street. The most heartwarming thing is to see all the elders with smile lines.

The Geography

“Ladakh is a region administered by India as a union territory and constitutes an eastern portion of the larger Kashmir region that has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947 and India and China since 1959”, as per Wikipedia.

Its rich history is marked by its position on ancient trade routes, though its international trade significance dwindled after the 1960s due to closed borders with Tibet.

Since 1974, India has promoted tourism here and the military also maintains a strong presence.

While there’s a rich history of Ladakh that needs to be unfolded from the periods of the Kushan Empire, Ummayad Caliphate, Namgyal Dynasty, and Noorbakshia Islam, the latest is that it was established as a union territory of India on 31 October 2019.

Ladakh also has a rich flora and fauna, supporting the agricultural, tourism, and manufacturing (energy and cement) industries.

The kind of beauty to witness here makes one forget about the heavens. And the more delicate something is, the more love and protection it requires.

The Culture

I’ve always wanted to learn about religions (insights from my Vipassana retreat here) and understand why they hold such a significant position in our society.

I booked this Airbnb in a village called ‘Chuchoot Gongma’ close to Leh and without a doubt, Salim was the kindest host I’ve ever had. During my stay, not only his family made me feel at home, but his relatives who lived nearby also brought food regularly and invited me for dinners. I was lucky enough to be cherished by the pets and kids too.

The close-knit community setup not only nourishes the relationships but also establishes a sense of security. I think it is partly because of this emotional security and social support that Ladakhi people are always so generous and fulfilled. You pour the glasses of others when your jug is filled (quite literally)!

Btw, Salim also took me hiking where we sat and painted, and taught me how to drive a car!

While there might not be many schools in the region, the literacy rates are still relatively high. Contrary to the mainstream stereotypes against the tribal populations, most Ladakhi people are highly intellectual, well-read, and knowledgable. Everyone is multilingual. I was also overwhelmed to see the social status of women. I’ve never felt safer walking the streets alone at night than in Ladakh.

I’m yet to explore all the cuisines and art of Ladakh but you can’t miss out on traditional Khambir bread and Himalayan pink salt butter tea. Along with that Seabuckthorn berry juice, overnight soaked apricots, and Yak cheese momos are a treat for anyone with a sweet tooth or dairy addiction.

There’s so much Ladakh has to offer that one lifetime would be too short to explore it all.

Part 3

To sum it up, a few book recommendations:

1. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

2. Being You by Anil Seth

3. Understanding Islam: Its Spirit and Values by Abad Ahmad

4. Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis

5. Genesis: Origin of Love by Komalika Neyol (Sorry not sorry for self-promo, I had to do that!)

Thank you for hearing me out, I hope you learned something new too. My DMs are open if you have any feedback for this newsletter or have a story to share. May you find peace wherever you are like I did!m