I came across this wonderful video with insights and a look into the eastern philosophy of karma. I've been recently reading about and studying the theory of karma in the Jain philosophy.
Watch the video below, directed by Erling Hoveid, and share your thoughts in the comments section below:
Arvind Devalia has written the ultimate guide to making things happen. I first met Arvind nearly seven years ago at a charity event where he spoke for one hour about the Wheel of Life exercise to help one determine their work/life balance.
He has just written a brand new manifesto called "A Guide To Making Things Happen" which he is about to release in the next few days or weeks for his blog readers. You'll want to check out his blog and sign up to be notified when he releases it.
The manifesto is broken down into three parts: (1) reasons for making it happen now (2) how to start making it happen and (3) go! make it happen.
He further breaks down part two into simplifying your life, your health and exercise, healthy eating, career fulfillment, relationships. He ends on a short discussion on your personal social responsibility (also the title of one of his paperback book's) and discovering your legacy.
The 43-page manifesto, colorfully laid out, is chock full of inspirational quotes and motivation to get you going. Arvind seems to have two purposes - first, to get you to get out and make something happen in your life that's in line with being socially responsible, and second, to check out his Make It Happen Club which is a group of people working to make things happen in their life and the world.
You'll want to read this manifesto to help you go from where you are to take the next step and be socially responsible. It helps you to think about what it is you want to get out of your life - and then strive to realize it.
Here is a section of the book in which Arvind writes his seven beliefs:
Here is my opening note at the Young Jains 'Bridging The Gap' Convention:
Here is my closing note - unpolished, inspiring and a call to action:
Part One:
Part Two:
This weekend just gone was the Young Jains 7th International Convention, BRIDGING THE GAP.
I feel completely humbled about how the entire weekend unfolded for the 150 people in the room. The presentations carefully delivered, the food prepared with love, the collaborative compassion from the team and the energy and atmosphere was all second to none. I'll write more and post videos in due course.
Here is a song played multiple times over the weekend. Listen to the words.
On April 19th I was elected President of Young Jains UK, a not for profit organisation dedicated to promotion of Jain Dharma in the Western World.
It's a voluntary post that I'm committed to for a year alongside my other interests and commitments in life.
It's been about 30 days now so I wanted to reflect on a few things we've achieved or started:
1. The first immediate change was of the weekly e-bulletin; creating a much modern and easy to read layout sharing updates, videos and upcoming events.
2. We have an exciting team with new ideas gelled with my 7-8 years of experience as a volunteer to bring out and highlight the key areas for improvement.
3. Cemented our objectives as a leader and as a team for the org.
4. Marketing is a key focus in my life anyway so I can see why we have made some important changes and are in the progress of improving things in a big way. Starting with a new website this summer - and more focused strategy on web 2.0 tools.
5. We have a complete roadmap laid out for events throughout the entire year, with a few dates to be confirmed soon. Although it's been a lot of work right at the start I foresee it getting less as the structure formalizes more.
I can't forget to mention our big event of the year - Young Jains 7th international convention called Bridging The Gap on 17th to 19th July. More details at http://www.youngjains.org.uk/convention
All in all we've hit the ground running, we'll jog at times and walk at other moments - but right now, the way the year is looking is very, very exciting.
Here's our 2009-2010- Executive Committee team:
Photo by http://bhaviksgallery.com
Went to the Stanton Guildhouse for a Young Jains retreat where we looked at some core principles of the dharma and the future planning of the organization and its events.
Jai Jinendra... which means I bow down to the greatness of the Jinas (those who have attained nirvana) and by doing so try to internalize and imbibe their qualities in ourselves.
At a discussion event about Jain business ethics led by Dr Atul K Shah of Diverse Ethics Ltd.
UPDATE (21/03) - It was an interesting event. We discussed the theory and practical elements of Jain dharma that are important in ethical business practices, primarily touching on the main vows of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) and Asteya (non-stealing), whilst touching briefly on the permanence of the soul and the impermanence of the body that drives the business. There was an interesting difference of opinion where some though that profit maximization is fine if profit is channelled in the right way, and others felt that business should just be there to make all that's needed. What do you think?
Apologies for any brevity. Sent from my iPhone.
I don't really give feedback in the best of ways. What I say may be good, but the way I share it isn't the best. Part of this post is to just share my thoughts with myself and have a method of improvement. At the same time I am not alone in the way I offer feedback poorly and so I hope my thinking processes here will help a reader.
In the last few days, I've been thinking hard about how I come across to others and whether it's something I like and am comfortable with, and more importantly why I've been doing it the way I have. I realize I'm a fast thinker, my mind works things out visually and faster than others I may be working with and so I can see things that they'll see 2-3 minutes after me. That could get me agitated as I just want to get on with it. I haven't appreciated their growth and progress and usually just jump in and share my thoughts. I'm starting to slow down a lot in my life and thinking. I truly live and believe that there is no such thing as an emergency, even in the case of death or accident. So there is no reason to act fast without thinking because that is useless and different to fast action with thinking, otherwise known as the Speed of Implementation principle.
One of the key things I keep missing and forgetting when I give feedback is the idea of SANDWICHING my ideas. The way this works is that you first give praise for the progress and understanding being made so far, then offer your constructive feedback and then close again with a note of praise. Although I can see how this works, I just feel that when this is done people forget the constructive critiscism that is shared and get caught up in the praise instead. I much more prefer to be direct but I know that for some people that don't know me, that can be difficult to take. (More on the feedback sandwich here) .
I did a search on "how to give feedback" and came to find a post by Seth Godin. In it, he says that people don't need your opinion and they certainly don't listen to it for improvement. What they would much prefer is your analysis of the situation with suggested alternatives or ideas. For example, "The last three products that succeeded were priced under $30. Is there a reason you want to price this at $31?" is a good way to offer your thoughts and will get them to think.
Part of giving your feedback is mastering your emotions. I mention in many of my talks that mastery of your emotions will give you control and ability to make effective profitable decisions in your business. It is the same if you are going to give effective emotions. There are times in the more distant past when I give feedback and my ego feels better because I know and have shown I am better than the rest. Although I no longer have been doing that and share from a place of content and knowing it is something I felt I should add here because there are others who do that.
So to summarize: I'm going to be a bit more softer in the way I share my feedback, I'm going to coat it with some praise. And I'm going to offer it in public if it is necessary for everyone to hear, using analysis to preframe it, otherwise I will share with the individual(s) in private.
Care to share your experiences and thoughts on offering good feedback?
Life is full of dualities - two sides to every coin, pain and pleasure, ups and downs, challenge and support, positives and negatives, etc. Whenever we get drawn to either side of the polarity we enter into a state of illusion. Our natural state is a place of love, balance and where we are centered. Anytime we go to one end of the polarity, the natural state of equilibrium that this world is in pulls us back by serving us with the other end of the polarity.
If we are elated, we usually experience something that brings us back to the centre and into natural equilibrium. If we are depressed, there is usually something that naturally happens and we are drawn to that brings us back to the centre. This is where we experience presence, our true loving nature.
Common paradigms tells us to be positive all the time and in doing so we surpress our negativity. A true master is one who can embrace both dualities and rise to deal with the situation at present. A true master is one who knows how to use his polarities in the right manner and can be at heart.
When we are centered and can be grateful and appreciative of our past, our future and our mistakes, then we have no shame or embarrasment in discussing our private life or hiding anything from anyone.
Our goal is to remain centered, in the present state.
What do you think? Leave your thoughts...
