Page 17 - TA Magazine Winter 2022

A L OOK WITHIN

if you’re a serious meditator—it’s really worth reading. How using platforms that don’t try to make them more addicted, or what are the writings that you look to for inspiration, solace, last one, a tiny door behind a curtain that opens up an Eden-
pure this person’s mind was, how he taught so many people the or don’t try to make them into scrolling zombies. To show the or peace? like garden. The problem is, she is too big and can’t fit through.
path to liberation, and how he prepared my teacher Goenka to world that you can make profit, do business, and function in DP: There’s this amazing monk named Bhikkhu Bodhi, who This moment is a great metaphor for the idea that your external
pass this teaching around the world. Goenka spread it all over this global economy and still uplift human dignity. To specifi- understands Buddhist teaching. Outside of the teaching of the situation can be perfect—you can have the golden key to suc-
the world. U Ba Khin in particular is a titan among human cally support the well-being of the user. Some of the platforms Buddha, I love the work of Herman Hesse. In many ways, cess, love, and joy—but if your selfhood is fragile, disconnected,
beings. He towers in wisdom. we support are in the wellness space, but we want to talk to he was the writing teacher I never had. Reading his books or inharmonious with the world around you, you can feel lost.
any company that intentionally designs their product and plat- sparked a part of my mind that gave me the courage to try For you, what defines a healthy balance between our inward and
TA: This year, you co-founded Wisdom Ventures, a project that form in a compassionate manner. I’m excited. The next decade to write and develop my own voice. His book Siddartha is outward experiences?
aims to uplift a new generation of entrepreneurs who value is going to be about platforms that give people what they need one that I go back to every two years. Not only is it such a DP: I love that. It’s funny, when you drew that picture of her
mindfulness, well-being, and human connection. You’re creat- without harming them in the process. powerful story, but it is the most lyrical, beautiful writing. having the key but being too big—the first thing I thought about
ing a new paradigm for the way we interact with technology, It’s so moving. His other book Narcissus and Goldmund is a was ego. If it’s too big, nothing is going to be enjoyable about
with community and compassion as guiding principles. What’s TA: It’s an emergency. It’s hijacking our connection to ourselves. beautiful story about friendship. I’ve been enjoying the writing life. Part of being in survival mode is that oftentimes the ego
currently in the works at Wisdom Ventures, and what do you It robs us of who we would be without the noise. of the next generation of Instagram writers. There are a lot of will become dominant in the mind. The ego can help you get
hope for the future of this project? DP: If you look at teenage and preteen suicide rates, it is cool people: my friend Chris Frereiras (@itscarus), Fernando through the tough moments in life, it can be quite useful. But if
DP: This project has gotten me so excited. One thing that I horrific. A lot of that has coincided with the emergence of Samalot (@fernandosamalot), and Alex Elle (@alex_elle). you’re really trying to thrive and be happy, you have to cultivate
think about in my writing is impact. Am I creating pieces that social media. I’m not a statistician, but there must be con- selflessness. You have to cultivate egolessness, so that you can
people will find useful? When my friend Soren came up with nections there that we need to act upon. We need to build TA: This issue is inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. start living and arriving from a place of compassion. There’s a
this idea for Wisdom Ventures, it hit me that if we’re able to better platforms. Your work is all about how our inner state defines our experi- balance where, of course, you need to know what you want and
help support companies that will create platforms that inten- ence more than any external event. There is a point in Lewis Car- need, but the other side of that is what you can give. What you
tionally do not try to harm the individual’s mind, the impact TA: Absolutely. So, almost two million people look to your writ- roll’s story when Alice stumbles into the hall of locked doors. can support. If we don’t cultivate that selflessness, it’s going to
of that would be astronomical. Millions of people would be ing for spiritual guidance and reassurance. Who are the authors She finds a golden key, and tries it on every door until it fits the be so hard to live a good life. It’s as simple as that. TA
22 sister wasn’t born yet). It 22
Y ANDERSON WINTER 20 What was your favorite When I was a child, my What kind of books do you for fun? understanding you can been getting a lot from as a way to avoid moment has always stuck Y ANDERSON WINTER 20

healing?
more of an introvert or an
Taking turns to listen
to get to know the person behind the curtain of Yung Pueblo.
so selfless and just want-
I started abusing drugs
selflessly is what creates
extrovert?
ed us to be happy. That
when I was in my early 20s
understanding and through
Extrovert, but lately I have
14 We also asked Diego a series of quick questions relationship has taught you? Would you consider yourself that taught you about was a huge surprise. He was 15
with me and reminds me to
build a new harmony.
my sadness and anxiety.
spending time alone.
mother cleaned houses
Instead of having silent
Go to the beach. I love the
Stopping all the hard drugs
cultivate generosity.
subject in school?
read for pleasure?
supermarket.
science fiction.
and make clear commit-
about your career?
ments to each other.
I love writing. It feels like
C History. and my father worked at a I mainly read history and ocean. expectations, communicate What is something you love was a big victory. Has anything specific taught C
What is your ideal
you about growth in your
Do you have any siblings?
Did you have a significant
TRA An older brother and a What was your family What is one thing that you role model in your I am putting together Saturday night? adult life? TRA
younger sister. dynamic like growing up? think is essential to leading a early life that has influenced If you could give the whole a puzzle. I also love the Having dinner with friends Vipassana meditation has
Even though we struggled mindful life? who you are/what you do? world one message, what freedom it gives me and my wife, sharing stories, by far taught me the most
What is one thing you with poverty, there was a Having your attention My cousin Jarvi. He showed would it be? to meditate more often. laughing. I love being about how to live well,
learned from your parents’ lot of love in our house. turned inward. Moving me what it is to be an Embracing impermanence is around old friends and how to cultivate freedom,
relationship? I am grateful that I was through the day and staying American and was a role the path to peace, happiness, If you could change one simply enjoying each and how to cause myself less
That external stress can get born to my parents because in touch with the way your model on how to live in and mental freedom. thing about social media, other’s company. trouble.
in the way of loving each they gave us a good sense emotions are changing. your power. what would it be?
other well. We were very of morality and showed us That will help you see if Is there something about Remove the aspect of What is your go-to drink? What impact do
poor when I was growing how important it is to be your emotions are clouding What is a trait you look for you that you feel is unique to algorithms that try to make I love good quality water. you hope to have in your
up, not having money made generous with other people. your perception. in friends/partners? where you are from? you more addicted. It is readers’ lives?
them very tense. Now that The willingness to grow. I was born in Guayaquil great to be connected but What is a fond memory I hope to write reflective
me and my siblings are Was mindfulness and self- Is there a quote that you Ecuador and because of that being online too much you have from your pieces that help people build
older, they no longer have growth a theme in your often think of for guidance/ If you could have dinner I love warm weather. is harmful. childhood? self-awareness. I also hope
that same stress and their household as a kid? inspiration? with anyone, alive or dead, Whenever I am in a warm One Christmas when I was to inspire people to find a
relationship is a lot more Not at all, but as I embraced “A change in one is a who would it be? climate I can feel the joy What makes you happy? very young, my mom and healing method that helps
harmonious. my growth my family change in millions” Gautama the Buddha. emanating from my body. Spending time with my wife. dad had very little money them take steps forward. If
became very open to healing – Jiddu Krishnamurti but my cousin Jarvi ended more people love and know
What do/did your parents and cultivating new good What is something What is your learning style? Was there something up buying me and my broth- themselves, it will decrease
do for a living? habits too. What do you like to do important that being in a Visual. specific that you overcame er a bunch of gifts (my the harm in the world. TA