Bloom: prepares to survive
Orlando Bloom is taking time out from acting to study Buddhism, and is building a nearly off-grid home in London at the same time, showing he is serious about leading a life apart from the normal showbiz success story.
Orlando says he needs time to reflect on what’s going on in his life.
I’ve been white knuckling it for so long. Between the first Lord Of The Rings and Last Pirates Of The Caribbean, I’ve been going non stop. So now I just want some time and space from everything and the phone and communication.
The philosophy I’ve embraced isn’t about sitting under a tree and studying my navel, he says. It’s about studying what’s going on in my life and using the fuel to go on and live a bigger life.
The 30-year-old actor has followed Soka Gakka Buddhism, a powerful Japanese movement, for over two years now after it helped him get over his split from fellow actress Kate Bosworth following a four-year relationship.
He credits a recent trip to South Africa for changing his life.
I felt so isolated and vulnerable and I had time to think.”
“When your girlfriend dumps you, when the bill comes through the door and your mum calls you and tells you she can’t handle the stuff in her life – that’s hell, but that’s just one world. If you are aware of what is going on, then you can grow and use that hunger, that fear.”
I have the patience to trust my own journey. Life is going to unfold as it should because life always does. If I’m true to myself, then all the rest is like, f*** it, man.
On turning 30, Orlando was determined not to let the occasion overwhelm him: Look, it all felt important, too important, but now I’m in a position to look, I’m trying not to take myself so seriously, and in not taking myself so seriously, I think I’ll be more serious.
He also revealed at a pre-Oscars party in February in aid of the environmental organization Global Green USA that he’s hoping to make his London home as off-grid as possible. Now that he’s got the time off, work should get underway on the Bloom estate.
He explained:
“It’s as green as I can make it. It’s got solar panels on the roof, energy efficient light bulbs – newer technology basically that is environmentally friendly.
He emphasized that you don’t have to install the latest technology or gadgets to lower your emissions, though.
“It might not be possible for everyone to live a completely green lifestyle, but we can do little things to help slow global warming. People could just help by unplugging their phone chargers and turning off the TV when they’re not watching it. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming, there are simple things we can do.”