FOLLOW THE SYMBOL PUBLISHING
I am looking for you and you know who you are. You feel called.
I need to find the people who recognize something in it too.
This is not a conventional jobs page. It is an invitation to people who see the larger direction of the work and believe they may have something real to contribute.
THIS IS THE WORK I INTEND TO GIVE MY LIFE TO.
The books are part of the work. The Living Diwali is part of the work. The sanctuary I hope to build is part of the work. Future writing, research, documentary development, scientific inquiry, public experiences, and collaborations may become part of it too.
I am not interested in building disconnected projects. I am interested in building a body of work that asks how human beings can become more awake, more compassionate, more discerning, more courageous, and more capable of carrying light into a difficult world.
What I need now is not another reason to believe in the work. I need to find the people who recognize something in it too.
WHAT IS ALREADY TAKING SHAPE
A free worldwide experience beginning with six days during Diwali and opening, for those who freely choose it, into an optional Diwali-to-Diwali journey.
The work includes the Map of Lights, Living Rangoli, Acts of Light, the Future-Self Letter, digital infrastructure, participant communication, and the annual return.
Three books moving from the inner lamp, to the sacred fire within, to the open sky and humanity's place in a larger world.
The books are intended to form one unfolding journey rather than three unrelated titles.
The vision that was given to me includes a future sanctuary founded on the principles running through the trilogy.
I have already begun designing plans. I am looking at a variety of possible locations and envision land substantial enough to hold quiet, nature, gathering, study, reflection, and future work with integrity.
More writing is intended. A documentary concept is being developed. Scientific and technical questions may require serious multidisciplinary inquiry. New forms of public experience may emerge.
This page exists because none of that should be built by one person alone.
WHO I AM HOPING TO FIND
Some people may contribute a few hours. Some may become long-term collaborators. Some may bring a skill, a connection, a question, an instrument, a body of knowledge, or simply a capability the work does not yet have.
Product thinkers, developers, infrastructure engineers, data architects, privacy-minded technologists, accessibility specialists, QA, security, and people who know how to build resilient digital systems.
Experience design, visual design, motion, interactive art, storytelling, editorial design, brand systems, illustration, sound, and other disciplines that can make an experience feel alive without becoming superficial.
Researchers and practitioners willing to approach difficult questions with rigor, instrumentation, mathematics, alternative hypotheses, skepticism, curiosity, and the willingness to say, “We do not know yet.”
People with experience in Diwali communities, cultural organizations, interfaith and intercultural work, education, public programming, libraries, diaspora networks, and community-building.
Editors, producers, documentary thinkers, researchers, writers, journalists, communications strategists, and people who understand how to tell serious stories without flattening them.
People with experience in land acquisition, retreat centers, conservation, architecture, planning, rural infrastructure, nonprofit or business formation, operations, development, fundraising, and long-term stewardship.
SOME OF THE WORK AHEAD WILL ALSO REQUIRE SERIOUS SCIENCE.
There are questions connected to consciousness, human experience, perception, anomalous phenomena, the nature of reality, and humanity's place in a larger universe that should not be approached carelessly.
I am interested in people who can help distinguish what is observed from what is inferred; who understand measurement, controls, uncertainty, replication, signal and noise; and who are willing to consider multiple explanations before reaching conclusions.
WHAT THIS IS NOT
I am not looking for people who will simply tell me I am right. I am looking for people capable of independent thought, honest disagreement, disciplined work, compassion, discretion, humility, and the ability to remain curious without becoming careless.
I also do not expect everyone who contributes to share the same spiritual, philosophical, scientific, or metaphysical conclusions.
Difference can strengthen the work when the purpose is shared and the inquiry is honest.
THE VISION THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME.
One part of the long-term vision is a sanctuary on substantial land—ideally at least 100 acres, with the hope of eventually finding 300–500 acres if the right place and circumstances emerge.
I imagine a place where people can step away from noise; where the teachings and questions of the trilogy can be explored in nature; where serious conversation, contemplation, learning, scientific curiosity, creative work, and human connection can coexist.
The location is not fixed. The form will continue to evolve. I have already begun working on plans, and I am interested in people who understand land, buildings, retreat environments, conservation, infrastructure, finance, operations, and the patience required to build something meant to outlast its founder.
HOW TO REACH OUT
Tell me who you are, what you do, what part of the vision you recognize, and what you believe you may be able to contribute. A thoughtful message is enough to begin.
Your background, field, experience, location, or whatever context helps me understand you.
Which part of the work speaks to you, and why?
A skill, discipline, connection, capability, perspective, resource, or question.
If there appears to be alignment, the conversation can develop from there through written correspondence.
THE LEGACY I HOPE TO LEAVE
I want the books, the experiences, the sanctuary, the questions, the relationships, and whatever useful work grows from them to become part of a longer human inheritance.
What light will we carry into that larger world?
What light will you carry?
IF YOU RECOGNIZE YOURSELF IN THIS
You may already know why you are here. If something in this work has been calling your attention, tell me what you see and what you believe you can help build.
I AM LOOKING FOR YOU.
AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
collaborate@lightupthedarknessbook.com · Written correspondence only.
Preparing the reading room…
