The Tek Monk

Who are you? 
The question that makes us think, explore and reason enough to live for.  Our perspective,  couple of years ago for this question. A 2014 post - The hard part is to introduce onself.

The answer seems to be Tek Monk.

Tek Monk is an identity and a way of life. For the average and ordinary people.

Similar to a businessman, an entrepreneur, a startup founder,  social entrepreneur, social activist, Nomad, Banjara etc, 

Who is a Tek Monk?
A Tek Monk is one who follows sustainable living, self-employed, a science entusisast, a researcher, a mentor and optionally an educator. The most important is to "walk the path of truth". Thats the identity.

What do you mean by Sustainable Living?
Sustainable living as per our understanding is to lead a life in harmony with nature and consume minimal resources. An ecology centric life.

Can we quantify minimal resources?
Quantification is a real challenge (seems hypocrytic) as it is very much dependent on the environment (urban, rural etc) in which we live and also subjective.

 As of now we are considering earning/living within the income tax slab as our annual need. This should take care of the basic necessities of an individual like food, shelter, clothing, health and continuous learning. Anything more would go into research or payforward activities.

Why Self-Employed?
Every one is unique and would have a calling. So, being self-employed provides an opportunity to pursue ones dreams. It can also be seen as a spiritual journey. Living at the mercy of nature.

A group of Tek Monks may collaborate to form micro-ventures to share their expertise.

Why Science?
Nature seems to be a game based on some rules. Rules are revealed to the inquisitive minds. To play the game (to live in harmony), we need to understand the rules.

Science is a method of understanding some of the rules of nature ( of physical reality). Rules ofcourse  are revealed incrementally.

Why be a Mentor?
Assist others willing to explore and become a Tek Monk. We believe in collaboration and sharing.

Why be an educator. Why optional?
Sharing our knowledge with others helps in a deeper understanding of the subject. More importantly, the mixed audience would give different perspectives of the same subject.

Being an educator helps improve the expertise levels.

This is similar to "chicken and egg" paradox. An expert can be a good educator and being an educator helps build expertise.

Being an educator is considered to be a unique talent and hence left optional.

Why do you call it a Journey?
Nature reveals its secrets; Incrementally. The more rules (of nature) we know, the more we dont know. So, this is a continuous journey with pitstops. The pitstops are to refresh, reflect and rediscover oneself. The Journey is Life.

Money is necessary in this world. Where does it come from?
We earn a living by doing blue collar and odd collar jobs or by sharing our expertise.

For jobs other than green collar, the monetization basis for our man day/manhour rate is on a 3 day work week. Remaining 4 days of week are used for self-improvement, research and green collar jobs.

Green Collar jobs and research activities are taken up on a total voluntary model or based on food, shelter basis.

We are open to investments that are returnable or in a payforward model. The funds will be used only for infrastruture, research and to assist Tek Monks in skill development.

We do not accept donations.

Why these collar jobs?
For a Tek Monk, every job is a prime job. We wish to take up physical work as much as possible. It helps us keep our health and also utilize the energy consumed.

In situations where the nature of work is considered hazardous to self or ecology, we shall take an effort to minimize the impact. Human powered machines would be the first choice. Science, Engineering and Technology might help us convert blue collar to Virtual Collar Jobs.

The inspiration?
There are many. This is a collection of our experience from observing the lives of the likes of
K L Muralidharan, Puvidham Meenakshi, Thangavelu Ayya, Manikkam Anna, Felix Anna, Ankit Banjara.

Friends who wanted and made Aatrral happen.

More importantly, well wishers who prodded us with the deep question; Who are You?.

What it takes to become a Tek Monk?
This is a self-taught, self-certified identity. You may already be one.

We are taking an effort to put everything in writing.  Might take some time. In the meanwhile, you may talk to one of us who have taken up the Tek Monk Journey.

Any Road Map to embark on TekMonk Journey?

Its a didactic and level based self-learning process between being a monk and tek. 16 and above age group.

Monk 1: Get introduced to the concept of sustainable living  (a few minutes to few days)
Tek 1:    Earn your living and become self sustaining. This depends on skill gap.

Monk 2: Acquire skills for sustainable living (learn from experts)
Tek 2:     Learn the fundamentals of science and Technology (1 to 6 months)

Monk 3: Volunteer
Tek 3:     Attempt to solve real world problems or purse research in pure sciences.

Monk 4: Explore life of a Banjara
Tek 4:    Become an expert

The levels are self designed. You may seek assistance/mentoring from other Tek Monks.

How do we contact tekmonks?
Please send us an email (tekmonks@gmail.com) and one of us shall get in touch with you.

Proposed Logo.