Asceticism in Puerto Rico: A Journey to Simplicity and Self-Discovery
Asceticism, at its core, is the practice of self-discipline and renunciation of worldly comforts in pursuit of spiritual or personal enlightenment. This school of thought has deep roots in philosophies like those of the ancient Cynics, Stoics, and even Buddhism.
This definition of asceticism resonates deeply with my journey, though I did not arrive at it through books or formal teachings. I knew nothing of these philosophies when I first set foot on this path. Instead, here in Puerto Rico, surrounded by nature’s raw beauty, I found that I needed to discard my many layers of conformity and shed my skin—both figuratively and literally. Nature became my teacher, guiding me toward simplicity and showing me the way to rediscover my true self.
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Discipline as a Path to Freedom
Discipline. It’s a word that often conjures images of sacrifice and struggle, but for me, it has become a doorway to freedom. Living like an ascetic in Puerto Rico is not about deprivation—it’s about liberation. It’s about stripping away the layers of conformity, shedding the masks we wear to fit into a society that often feels disconnected from our true nature. For me, this journey began with a question: Who am I without the comforts I’ve clung to? Who are any of us, once we remove the layers of materialism and the illusions of security?
Fear of the unknown keeps many tethered to the familiar. I know because I’ve been there. I once lived a life steeped in comfort, surrounded by everything society told me I needed to be happy. Yet, something was missing. Beneath the surface of that life, I felt a restlessness, a yearning for something more—something real. The decision to let go of that life wasn’t easy, but I knew it was necessary. I needed to strip my existence down to the bare essentials to discover my true nature, to find peace, freedom, and happiness beyond the illusions I had built around myself.
“He has the most who is most content with the least.”
Diogenes
It All Started with Letting Go
It all started when I grew my first plant—a tomato plant. The first few plants died on me, but I kept going. As I always say, I don’t grow plants; the plants have grown me. They started teaching me patience, perseverance, compassion, and kindness. This experience became the foundation and the building blocks of recreating myself by stripping away all that I was.
At that time, I didn’t have the farm, but I knew I wanted to continue growing plants and food. Fast forward a few years, and now I live off-grid, growing a food forest and continuing to grow and evolve alongside my farm. This is why I love Borikén and feel so connected to her and to the earth. I feel it is my duty to protect her. She is me, and I am her.
Solitude is freedom
Solitude is freedom
Solitude was something I needed—just like I think we all need it—because solitude is freedom. When we take the time to sit with ourselves and our thoughts, that is where we find ourselves. When we are constantly surrounded by others, we risk becoming clones of those around us, losing touch with who we truly are. Solitude, especially in nature, allows us to reconnect with our essence.
Yet, many of us fear silence. We fear being alone. We fear the darkness we might find within ourselves. But what if we embraced it? What if, instead of running from it, we sat with it, allowing it to teach us, to guide us, and to transform us? For me, solitude has been a sanctuary, a place where I can hear the whispers of nature and my own soul. It is in solitude that I have found clarity and strength.
“If a man’s mind becomes pure, his surroundings will also become pure.”
buddha
Conquering the Mind, Conquering the Self
At its core, this journey has been one of conquering the mind and, in doing so, conquering the self. Our minds are masters of distraction, constantly pulling us toward comfort, convenience, and conformity. But what happens when we deny those impulses? When we choose the harder path, the one less traveled? For me, the answer was clarity—a clarity that revealed who I am when everything else is stripped away.
Living ascetically in Puerto Rico has meant giving up the comforts that many consider essential: air conditioning, hot showers, a plush bed, even shoes. It’s meant embracing the natural rhythms of the world around me, feeling the earth beneath my feet, the rain on my skin, the heat of the sun, and the cool breath of the ocean breeze. These experiences have not only grounded me but have also reminded me of the resilience and simplicity inherent in being human.
Freedom
Shedding the Masks of Conformity
Society teaches us to wear masks: the mask of success, the mask of wealth, the mask of fitting in. But these masks weigh us down. They disconnect us from our essence, our primal truth. My choice to live ascetically was a deliberate act of rebellion against these imposed identities. I wanted to meet myself as I truly am, without the layers of societal expectations clouding my vision.
What I discovered was both humbling and empowering. Beneath those masks, I found a being deeply connected to the earth, to the elements, and to the cycles of nature. I found a quiet strength in simplicity and an unshakable joy in freedom. By living with less, I gained so much more—clarity, purpose, and an unbreakable connection to the world around me.
The Discipline of Letting Go
Living like an ascetic is not for everyone, but it is a path that has profoundly transformed my life. It requires discipline, yes, but not the kind of discipline that feels like punishment. Instead, it is the discipline of letting go: letting go of what no longer serves you, letting go of fears that keep you small, and letting go of the illusions that distract you from the truth.
In Puerto Rico, surrounded by nature’s raw beauty, this discipline has become second nature. It has allowed me to step into a life of presence and purpose. Every day, I am reminded that happiness does not come from what we acquire but from what we uncover within ourselves when we strip life down to its essence.
The Freedom of Ascetic Living
The freedom I’ve found is unlike anything I experienced before. It is the freedom to exist without pretense, to live without the weight of unnecessary possessions or societal expectations. It is the freedom to wake up each day and simply be, in harmony with the world around me.
This way of life isn’t about rejecting the world but about engaging with it more fully. By removing the distractions, I’ve been able to see the beauty in the small moments: the rustle of leaves in the wind, the dance of sunlight on the ocean, the grounding sensation of bare feet on the earth. These moments are where life’s true richness lies, and they are all too often overlooked in the pursuit of more.
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms…”
Henry David Thorough
A Call to Discover Your True Nature
In closing, I don’t live a life of luxury. My home is furnished with things salvaged from the trash. At times, I struggle, but my happiness remains intact. I am working on creating more income and adding back a few layers—but only those that contribute positively to my growth and evolution. I recognize that money, though often viewed as a necessary evil, is a tool in today’s world. For me, it’s about finding balance and practicing moderation, not succumbing to greed or the pursuit of excess. Any money I earn will serve a purpose—not for hoarding, but for doing good.
I share this not to suggest that everyone should live like an ascetic but to inspire others to question what truly brings them peace and happiness. What layers of conformity are weighing you down? What comforts are keeping you from discovering who you really are? Perhaps you don’t need to give up everything, but even small acts of letting go can lead to profound change.
This path has taught me that we are not separate from nature but a part of it. When we align with that truth, we find a peace that no material possession can provide. We find ourselves.
To live like an ascetic is to embrace the unknown, to meet yourself in the rawness of existence, and to uncover the beauty that lies beyond the masks. It is a journey of courage, discipline, and, ultimately, freedom. And for me, it is a journey that has made all the difference.
