Shillong, November 13: Author Kartikeya Vajpai has cautioned against allowing technology, personal achievements and external validation to define human identity, stressing that true wisdom lies in self-awareness and the ability to look beyond established knowledge and expectations.
Speaking at the sixth Shillong Literary Festival at Ward’s Lake on Friday, Vajpai explored these ideas during a discussion on his book The Unbecoming: Let Life Reveal Its Purpose, in conversation with Patricia Mukhim, Editor of The Shillong Times.
The session focused on identity, self-discovery, detachment and the search for meaning in contemporary life, particularly in a world increasingly driven by technological advancement and the pressure to achieve success.
Explaining the central theme of his book, Vajpai said that people often become so attached to achievements and external recognition that they lose sight of the present moment. “At its heart, The Unbecoming is about the search for meaning in a world that constantly asks us to achieve and become more. We live in an age of information, but not necessarily wisdom,” he said.
He maintained that individuals frequently associate their identities with professional success, personal accomplishments and the approval of others, creating an unhealthy dependence on outcomes. “When we attach our identity to outcomes, a win, an achievement, someone else’s approval, we lose sight of the present moment. Detachment is not indifference; it is the courage to act without being enslaved by the result,” Vajpai explained.
The discussion also examined the growing influence of technology and the distinction between intellectual knowledge and wisdom.
Vajpai observed that while technology has become a powerful instrument for accessing information and advancing human capabilities, it cannot replace the deeper process of self-discovery. “Intellect operates in the domain of the known, memory, recall, past patterns. But wisdom requires us to step into the unknown, to become seekers,” he said.
He further cautioned against allowing technological systems to influence how people perceive themselves. “Technology is a powerful tool, but it cannot access the ‘unknown’ where true human growth happens. The real challenge is to use it consciously, without letting it manufacture our identity,” he added.
Published by Penguin Random House India, The Unbecoming: Let Life Reveal Its Purpose draws upon philosophical traditions, including Advaita Vedanta and Buddhist thought, to examine human consciousness, identity and the search for purpose.
The book encourages readers to question established assumptions, reflect on their sense of self and approach life with greater awareness rather than defining themselves solely through achievements and social expectations. It also features forewords by the 14th Dalai Lama and Swami Sarvapriyananda.
A lawyer, author and speaker, Vajpai has developed a strong interest in philosophical traditions and spiritual practices, including Advaita Vedanta, Buddhist philosophy, Transcendental Meditation and Kriya Yoga.
These influences have shaped his exploration of human consciousness and the relationship between identity, personal fulfilment and the search for meaning.
His participation in the Shillong Literary Festival forms part of a series of literary and academic engagements centred on his book, including interactions at IIM Shillong, IIT Kharagpur and SRM University.
