Feels Like Om

OUR STORIES

The people behind
Feels Like Om

Zi Hui walking through a village in Sikkim

Zi Hui

“A tree helped me forgive myself.”

The name Feels Like Om is inspired by the feeling of home that Sikkim extends to all who come and how spiritual the land inspires one to be.

I went to Sikkim for the first time because of a Service-Learning project, but it turned out to be an unintentional discovery of who I am and what matters to me. The land and the Sikkimese people gifted me a new pair of lens to see the world with.

Today, we are going through unprecedented times. With the relentless pursuit of capitalist growth and unchecked consumerism, our planet suffers and we suffer too. We are becoming lonelier as a species because we forgot how to connect with one another.

I serve you as a bridge between you and the indigenous communities, so that you may learn from them and reconnect with yourself.

Favourite books

When No Thing Works — Norma Wong

Change We Must — Nana Veary

The Serviceberry — Robin Wall Kimmerer

Braiding Sweetgrass — Robin Wall Kimmerer

Elan

On leaving Italy and returning to Sikkim

Italy offered me opportunities to work and earn, which most people hope to do to provide for their family.

Although it offered me financial stability and societal respect back home, I never felt connected to the place, nature and culture.

I guess I was always meant to be a mountain person than a city one.

Yuksam always has a special place in my heart!

It's my home, where my grandparents raised me, and where the community saw me grow.

I realised human suffering never ends no matter which new state or country they go to. What matters more is what brings you peace.

On dreams

To have an impact on the community and the younger generations that look up to us.

To create opportunities in the society through employment, education facilities or sports opportunities.

To make Yuksam a better place to live in so that the people don't flee to cities due to lack of opportunities.

“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

I want to live every moment that allows me to learn, to spread kindness, to face failures, and to be free from the societal chains and help others feel the same.

To be liberated.

To be myself and stay authentic.