Weekend with Satish Kumar – A Light Awakened

I had been so busy that when I spotted Weekend with Satish in my calendar, it felt like a special surprise.

Having read his books and once listened to him speak in a large auditorium, I thought I knew what to expect. I imagined deep conversations about nature connection, peace, community, education, and presence in this world. But from the moment I arrived in the Lake District and met Satish on that first evening, I knew something else was about to unfold.

I had arrived with a head full of “yes, but…” questions—those impatient inquiries waiting to be unleashed at just the right moment. Yet, sitting in his quiet presence that first night, something shifted. There was a grace about him that made me pause before questioning, made me listen before speaking, and, just for a moment, allowed me to set down the “yes, buts” and open my heart to what might become.

That night I fell asleep in my small wooden pod with those same questions still humming, but gentler now—like bees calmed by the scent of nectar, finally still enough to rest.

The next morning, I was startled awake by the shrill alarm call of a wren outside my window—an urgent reminder of the noise and busyness that I had carried in with me. Later, Satish led our morning meditation, a gratitude practice offered before breakfast, where we gave thanks to everything—from the vast cosmos to the cooks who had lovingly prepared our food.

The day unfolded slowly, beautifully. We sat overlooking Lake Windermere as Satish spoke about elegant simplicity and radical love. Conversations meandered into Deep Ecology, The Ecological Self, The Gift Economy, the true meaning of competition, and perhaps most profoundly, the gift of letting go of outcomes. The day was long and full, yet never tiresome. As time passed, the “yes, buts” settled… and then, quietly, they disappeared.

That night I climbed into bed at 1am, worried about sleeping through the morning meditation. I set my alarm for 7am, just in case. Yet the next morning, I woke gently at 7:15—no alarm needed. I smiled at the symbolism of this moment. The day before, I had been jolted awake by noise, my mind restless and alarming. But now, there was stillness. The alarm had been switched off, inside and out.

I see now that my “yes, buts” were born of the alarming nature of the world we live in—the distractions and noise that feed separation and fuel ego. Satish’s quiet wisdom dissolved that urgency. His presence reminded me that the alarming things we see and hear are nothing more than distractions trying to dim our inner light. Dimmed lights fragment and flicker out. But bright lights shine, connect, and multiply until they chase away the darkness.

Satish rekindled that truth within me: there are no “yes, buts.” There is only the infinite light within each of us, and when we dare to shine it—unapologetically, courageously, together—we say yes to a brighter world.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to join the conversation in the comments below—your questions, stories, and perspectives are always welcome. Whether we agree or not, every discussion adds depth to these conversations, and respectful dialogue is what makes this space truly valuable.

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