There is a concept in Vedantic thought that life is divided into stages or “Ashramas.” Youth and young adulthood are referred to as Brahmacharya, the period of life dedicated to learning. Grihastha, the second ashrama is the period of life dedicated to building a career, a family, accumulating wealth, and striving for earthly reward. Vanaprastha is the third ashrama; Vanaprastha is Sanskrit for ‘retiring into the forest’. At this stage of life, people focus less on professional ambitions but turn toward a life devoted to spirituality, service, and wisdom. Vanaprastha is followed by Sannyasa, a life dedicated to enlightenment.
In June 2019, I handed over the keys to our office to two younger colleagues, one of whom had once worked for us as our office receptionist. I am writing this now almost six months later, a curmudgeon retired in the forest.
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