Awakening Consciousness: A Journey Beyond Materialism

"A Transformative Journey: Ms. Nimisha Pathak's Experience at Auroville Youth Camp"

Ms. Nimisha Pathak, a Senior Associate at Growth & Impact ConveGenius and a proud native of Bhopal, has shared her invaluable insights from the recently concluded Auroville Youth Camp."

As a child, I wanted to grow up faster so that one day I could finally earn my own money. With all the money I would earn, I wanted to solve poverty. Every time I saw a rag picker, a roadside vendor, a child labourer, a sick person begging, or an elderly person working, my heart would cry in pain, and it still does! I pursued Economics in my bachelor's as a step to understand what’s wrong with society and how I could fix the structures. India is developing more rapidly than ever now, the GDP is increasing, but only in a way that the rich are becoming richer.

"They say the earth has enough for everyone’s needs, but not for even one man’s greed".

What materialistic rat race are we chasing? We come naked and go naked, so then all this? Is this even worth it? Here, I take the responsibility of introducing the word ‘consciousness.’ 

What is living consciously? How do we live mindfully? What is the correct way of living? Definitely not the one we have been taught—acquiring more and more wealth! Hell, NO.

Money is just a means, a medium, not the ultimate motive. Birth is an opportunity to find our true nature! When I signed up for the Auroville Youth Camp, little did I know what I was signing up for. I came with zero expectations, open to understanding the concept of Auroville—a city like no other.

How is barter still relevant? Why would individuals from over 65 countries choose to permanently settle in an experimental city in India? So many questions!

And this camp not only helped us find answers but also gave us an opportunity to unlearn, learn, and relearn. It gave us a way to think of finding our own answers. A week is definitely not enough to shatter years of materialistic beliefs, but I am very content while penning this down. This was a spark that has given a good brightness to what I can say was a dark part of my thoughts.

Words don’t do justice to what I felt. Sometimes all it takes is a new group of people, a new city, and great minds. (Oh, how can I ever describe Sraddhalu Ji, Raghav Ji, and Sampadananda Mishra Ji’s sessions in words? Not exaggerating—sometimes all we’ve been waiting to hear is that one line, those few words of wisdom, to calm the hurricane of thoughts in our minds.) What a holistic experience, designed and perfectly implemented by Mollika Ji and team! “Thanks” is just a formality. I believe in giving back and doing my part in what we can call a revolution in the perception of truly living with real happiness, for our true nature is Sachchidanand!

Thanks again for everything! I’m more than happy to contribute to any capacity I can; it would be a pleasure.

Warm regards,

Nimisha.