On the edge of worlds, we listen

The stillness of motion. The feeling of flight. Luna Sea.

These past weeks have been a crescendo of work and travel in real life. Now that I have the small luxury to pause and reflect, I’m filled with awe at how encounters, brief or deep, have the power to reshape our lives and perspectives.

My recent travels to Hong Kong and Sri Lanka were nothing short of transformative. Amidst the rhythm of academic exchanges, the distinct pulse of these places left an indelible mark. If there’s one realization I carry, it’s how our lives stretch; like tents pitched in unfamiliar deserts, whenever we engage with difference and diversity.

My view from above: Skyscrapers, sea, and sky—Hong Kong in perfect symmetry.

I recall a conversation in a small coffee shop after wandering around The Peak. We found ourselves immersed in the intricacies of being Asian, peeling back layers of identity, culture, and shared colonial memories. There was joy in recognizing echoes of each other’s stories, even across different tongues. We gave time to untangle cultural quirks, push back against stereotypes, and meet each other with presence and patience. Those moments of intentional listening felt expansive, as if the world grew a little wider within us.

A slice of Asian serenity in the virtual world — soak, breathe, and restore at Lavender Hot Springs and Spa.

Second Life, in its own way, offers these kinds of sacred encounters. Perhaps the veil of anonymity invites a deeper vulnerability, allowing us to show parts of ourselves we often keep hidden. But whether virtual or tangible, the essentials remain: love, presence, and a kind of deliberate curiosity that turns strangers into co-travelers.

May we continue to find and nurture those kinds of encounters even in this pixel-shaped world.