André Duqum

Romance, transcendence, calling, beauty?

People find meaning in the pursuit, even the unsuccessful pursuit of romantic love.

Is this true in your life?

Um, yeah, I did last year sell a bit and right now I'm not in partnership.

No, just no one wanted to hook up with me.

Involuntary.

No, it was intentional to really focus my creative energy.

But I agree.

I mean, falling in love being, you know, and the exploration of that, it's like,

I feel like everybody can agree you're alive to a big degree during that.

It sounds like the time we live in, though, with all the apps and all the different ways, again, incredible on one hand, but then also a detriment to another.

Yeah.

The optionality, too, is wild.

You live in Tuscaloosa and you've got Kathy and Susan.

They're like your options.

Well, I want to circle back to romance, but I want to jump forward to calling right now because I think a lot of people can... You know, we both live in a time that is more comparative than ever, right?

So we're seeing everyone's highlight reels, of course.

And we're oftentimes feeling devoid of having what in the Hindu tradition is Sva Dharma, which is like this... Not just like doing what you're supposed to be doing, but...

The natural occupation is actually a vehicle for self-realization.

And it's not just something nice to do.