BIOGRAPHY | PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

My Reflection on Sven Yrvind’s Small Boat Philosophy

Let’s embark on a philosophical voyage to personal freedom

“Water is my element, I don’t really fit into society.”

Sven Yrvin in the Update from Sven Yrvind on Madeira talking about Exlex on Youtube

For a More Authentic Life

Different people have different styles of living. Some people prefer a simpler life, closer to nature. This is becoming more popular around the world as people realize that material things may not bring lasting happiness.

Sven Yrvind is one such person. He has chosen to live on a boat, free from the rules of society. More and more people are looking for ways to live that are more authentic and meaningful. They are also learning to accept and appreciate people who are different from themselves.

Sven’s journey shows how much we can change our lives when we break away from the rules. His story inspires people everywhere to think about what is important and how we can find fulfillment and purpose in our lives.

Captain of His Own Ship

Sailing and small boat building mean life for Sven Yrvind. He is constantly escaping society on the seas and is thus one with nature, able to listen to his inner voice.

His updates and videos about his life and his passion for small boat design and building made me think a lot about our relationship with nature and our lack of understanding in our society of people different from us.

Sven is dyslexic. Hence, he’s always had problems fitting in since his boarding school years in the 1940s. I have watched a couple of videos about his life and tried to understand his way of thinking. More on his life is at the beginning of the video here. He was even in prison and released as a psychopath!

What fascinated me a lot was his relationship with the sea.

“I chose to be captain of my own ship. The mass of men has historically traded freedom for economical growth and comfort. I do not agree. True, our comfort has increased beyond imagination — but so has our enchainment.”

— Sven Yrvind in OCSS-002 Sven Yrvind and the Small Boat Advantage

Sven Yrvind’s connection with the sea goes beyond a mere physical journey. I see it as a spiritual and philosophical experience, a conscious decision to break away from societal norms and find a deeper connection with nature.

Personal Reflection

My longing for the sea has been rooted in a similar longing to go deeper toward my inner self, to swim into the waves of experience, feeling the movement and the natural flow.

I am allowing myself to just be without controlling every action.

There’s something inherently captivating about the idea of flowing with the waves and becoming one with the rhythmic movements of the sea.

Do you feel the flow when you think of the vastness of the ocean?

Are you scared or excited about the unknown?

In my case, the sea, the ocean, feels more than a physical experience. It’s a spiritual longing, a desire to immerse myself in the vastness of the ocean and simply be.

Let’s explore further the four spiritual and philosophical aspects of Sven’s relationship with the sea.

1. Harmony with Nature

Sailing and small boat building allow Sven Yrvind to be in harmony with the natural world and his deeper understanding of himself. Being alone with his tools and designs, constantly immersed in the creation of a better small boat for his upcoming travel challenge—this is his deep journey to the self.

The rhythmic motion of the sea, the sound of the wind, and the simplicity of life on a small boat all contribute to a spiritual connection with nature. All he desires is a sense of inner peace and fulfillment, away from the comfort and hustle of modern civilization.

Interestingly, he posts on his YouTube channel and updates his fans about his projects. He found a way to express his teachings this way, not undermining his core values.

2. Listening to the Inner Voice

Moreover, by escaping society and immersing himself in the vastness of the sea, Sven Yrvind can listen to his inner voice. Through his life at sea or working in his workshop, he can reflect on his thoughts, values, and beliefs, leading to a profound understanding of himself and nature.

3. Enchantment vs. Comfort

By being aware of his inner voice, Sven Yrvind thus reached a different kind of freedom — one that transcends material comforts and economic growth.

He mentioned many times in his videos that he doesn’t care for comfort. He just wants to be free and be his own captain. He feels the best at sea. This pursuit aligns with a spiritual philosophy that values personal freedom and connection with the natural world.

Subsequently, the concept of freedom as a spiritual pursuit made me think of transcendentalism, a philosophy that values individualism, self-reliance, and a spiritual connection with nature.

Did you know? Key figures in the transcendentalist movement include philosophers Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

4. Small Boats, Small Problems

“Big boats big problems, small boats small problems”. Sven Yrvind

Exploring this wisdom further, leaving behind the comfort of modern life, is a metaphor for existence. Essentially, the smaller the material baggage, the easier it is to flow through challenges. The fewer things we possess, the lighter our spirit. This is how we can reach a flow of existence and be more grounded.

It’s inspiring how Sven Yrvind chose to simplify his relationship with the sea, navigating through life with fewer complications and focusing on the value of simplicity and mindfulness.

Dare to Embark on Your Journey to Freedom

In contrast to feeling overburdened with things to do and organize, I think many people aspire to a more meaningful life, one in which they feel more empathy and compassion.

We can all learn from Sven's life story and philosophy about the human quest for meaning, freedom, and a connection with the elements. He made the brave decision to take charge of his life and pursue a simpler and more intentional way of living. This goes against the usual societal norms that prioritize comfort over freedom.

Would you follow your inner voice and choose a different path, perhaps a more non-conformist way?

Sven’s journey encourages us to reflect on our relationship with nature, individuality, and the relentless pursuit of material possessions.

Meanwhile, my longing for the ocean mirrors a yearning to delve deeper into my inner self, embrace the natural flow of experience, and relinquish the need to control every action.

Let’s dare to cast off unnecessary burdens, embrace simplicity, and listen to the call of our inner voices!

This calls for a transformative journey mirroring the timeless ebb and flow of the ocean. It doesn’t have to be a journey on the ocean or working in a workshop.

You can find your way by simply listening to your heart and intuition and disregarding what others impose on you.

Just dare to be free and connect yourself to nature.

Be authentic in your pursuit!

It might sound cliché.

• But how many of us dare to do it? 🙏
• How many of us allow those who strive to be different to just follow their path without being judged? 🙏
• How many of us are aware of our purpose in life? 🙏

Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section, and let’s all wake up from the boxed-in world of rules and the rigid comfort of modern life.

The Movie Philosopher of the Sea (7.1/10 on iMDB) was a Winner at the Stockholm City Film Festival for Best Feature Documentary. Below the trailer.

Gabriela is studying to become a full-stack developer while being a mother of three small kids. This requires her to pay for some graduate programs and boot camps to gain experience. She is writing articles on Medium and Substack to inspire others and fund her journey.

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