Self Development In the context of spirituality and a practical approach Mid-Term Review Sponsored by Uka Tarsadia University, Maliba Campus Inaugural Session Facilitated by Faculty Version Varadarajan Kannan Class 10 – February

Brief Review Understanding the meaning and context of this course Understanding the meaning and context of this course In-depth overview of Values, Yoga, Religion and Meditation In-depth overview of Values, Yoga, Religion and Meditation Last two weeks Last two weeks on Meditation techniques and systems on Meditation techniques and systems Why so many systems? Why so many systems?

This week Tips for self management Tips for self management Nation Building Nation Building Presentations Presentations 2 on This Course 2 on This Course 2 on Meditation 2 on Meditation How to choose a system of meditation How to choose a system of meditation Group Meditation Group Meditation

Self Management Tips

mmmmm HR Humor Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Person asked a young Engineer fresh out of Texas University, "And what starting salary were you looking for?” Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Person asked a young Engineer fresh out of Texas University, "And what starting salary were you looking for?” The Engineer said, "In the neighbourhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.” The Engineer said, "In the neighbourhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.” The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, a company matching retirement fund for 50% of your salary, and a company car leased every 2 years -- say, a red BMW?” The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, a company matching retirement fund for 50% of your salary, and a company car leased every 2 years -- say, a red BMW?” The Engineer sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?” The Engineer sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?” And the interviewer replied, "Yeah, but you started it." And the interviewer replied, "Yeah, but you started it."

Time Management ✔ IMPORTANTNOT IMPORTANT URGENTIMMEDIATE DELEGATE SYSTEMATIZE AUTOMATE NOT URGENT PRIORITIZE PLANNING STREAMLINE EXCEPTION DUMP IT

RAPID Decision Making R – Research R – Research A- Analyse A- Analyse P – Priortize P – Priortize I – Introspect I – Introspect D- Decide D- Decide

8 Secrets to Success crets_of_success.html– Refer to supporting video folder to download the video to your local hard drive and link crets_of_success.html– Refer to supporting video folder to download the video to your local hard drive and link crets_of_success.html crets_of_success.html

8 Secrets to Success By Richard St. John PassionWorkFocusPersistIdeasGoodPushServe

7 Habits by Stephen Covey 1. Be Pro-active This is the ability to control one's environment, rather than have it control you, as is so often the case. Self determination, choice, and the power to decide response to stimulus, conditions and circumstances

7 Habits by Stephen Covey 2. Begin with an end in mind Covey calls this the habit of personal leadership - leading oneself that is, towards what you consider your aims. By developing the habit of concentrating on relevant activities you will build a platform to avoid distractions and become more productive and successful.

7 Habits by Stephen Covey 3. Put first things first Covey calls this the habit of personal management. This is about organising and implementing activities in line with the aims established in habit 2. Covey says that habit 2 is the first, or mental creation; habit 3 is the second, or physical creation.

7 Habits by Stephen Covey 4. Think win win Covey calls this the habit of interpersonal leadership, necessary because achievements are largely dependent on co-operative efforts with others. He says that win-win is based on the assumption that there is plenty for everyone, and that success follows a co-operative approach more naturally than the confrontation of win-or-lose.

7 Habits by Stephen Covey 5. Seek first to understand and then be understood One of the great maxims of the modern age. This is Covey's habit of communication, and it's extremely powerful. Covey helps to explain this in his simple analogy 'diagnose before you prescribe'. Simple and effective, and essential for developing and maintaining positive relationships in all aspects of life. Listen – Pay Attention and not seek attention

7 Habits by Stephen Covey 6. Synergise Covey says this is the habit of creative co- operation - the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which implicitly lays down the challenge to see the good and potential in the other person's contribution.

7 Habits by Stephen Covey 7. Sharpen the saw This is the habit of self renewal, says Covey, and it necessarily surrounds all the other habits, enabling and encouraging them to happen and grow. Covey interprets the self into four parts: the spiritual, mental, physical and the social/emotional, which all need feeding and developing.

Integrated Development Individual Family Society City Nation From center to circumference

Nation Building How can we assess India after 65 years of Independence?

How many think India is Great? How many think India can be better?

Taking stock of India The Good India is known for its hospitality that it allowed invaders to loot as if they were “athithis” India is known for its hospitality that it allowed invaders to loot as if they were “athithis” Has a great institution of family, some democracy and traditions Has a great institution of family, some democracy and traditions India is young – the engine for hope and change India is young – the engine for hope and change We, Indians have a great reputation once we go abroad to US or Europe or Australia We, Indians have a great reputation once we go abroad to US or Europe or Australia One of fastest growing affluent ethnic minorities in the US and the UK One of fastest growing affluent ethnic minorities in the US and the UK Growing international influence and curiosity about India Growing international influence and curiosity about India

What ails India? The bad & The ugly Casteism and prejudice – Not uncommon in the world Casteism and prejudice – Not uncommon in the world Extent of Corruption (Political and Bureaucratic) Extent of Corruption (Political and Bureaucratic) Reservation System / Caste system – Brain drain Reservation System / Caste system – Brain drain Gender Inequality – Brain Drain Gender Inequality – Brain Drain Therefore, Mediocrity and Ineptitude Therefore, Mediocrity and Ineptitude Deterioration in morality / Aping the west Deterioration in morality / Aping the west Alcoholism and Promiscuity (more so in big cities) Alcoholism and Promiscuity (more so in big cities) Lack of civic sense and Generally passive people and not passionate enough for achieving excellence Lack of civic sense and Generally passive people and not passionate enough for achieving excellence

Questions to Ponder over What is nation building? What is our role in it? How can we begin in a small way ? And YES, It definitely, finally, starts with you, here and now

Nation and the Self Remember the story of the father, son and the puzzle When we change, the world around us changes in some way

Where are we? Is there a link between religious beliefs and the state of the nation? Is there a link between religious beliefs and the state of the nation? Abrahamic (Occidental) Belief Structure – Developed Countries Abrahamic (Occidental) Belief Structure – Developed Countries Oriental (Hinduism, Zen, Jainism, Buddhism) Belief Structure – Developing or underdeveloped Oriental (Hinduism, Zen, Jainism, Buddhism) Belief Structure – Developing or underdeveloped Aboriginals – Tribal, Sub-saharan – Un-integrated humanity Aboriginals – Tribal, Sub-saharan – Un-integrated humanity The idea of fate and fatalism and its impact on work ethic? The idea of fate and fatalism and its impact on work ethic? Inherent conflict in human nature of survival and growing desires versus idea of fate and resignation Inherent conflict in human nature of survival and growing desires versus idea of fate and resignation Is India suffering from these conflicts in value systems, belief systems and human nature!!! Is India suffering from these conflicts in value systems, belief systems and human nature!!! So, What is the answer? So, What is the answer?

Your Presentations Presentation on the Course thus far by Presentation on the Course thus far by Kirti Patel Kirti Patel Divya Gadaria Divya Gadaria Presentation of their experience of meditation done thus far Presentation of their experience of meditation done thus far Shyama Mehta Shyama Mehta Nikunj Tahilramani Nikunj Tahilramani

Answers to a few Key ?s (Jan 12 th 2013) 1.How many of you are religious? 77% 2.How many of you are spiritual? 64% 3.How many of you think there is no God or higher power? 29% 4.How many of you believe there is a God of the Religions? 37% 5.How may of you believe there is a higher power, can not be explained by any one? 81% 6.How many of you believe there is a dynamic relationship with our Creator and the creation? 84% 7.How many of you think meditation is a means to become spiritual? 56%

Answers to a few Key ?s (Feb 9 th 2013) 1.How many of you are religious? 76% 2.How many of you are spiritual? 69% 3.How many of you think there is no God or higher power? 9% 4.How many of you believe there is a God of the Religions? 42% 5.How may of you believe there is a higher power, can not be explained by any one? 83% 6.How many of you believe there is a dynamic relationship with our Creator and the creation? 82% 7.How many of you think meditation is a means to become spiritual? 62%

The result Most of you believe there is a God or a higher power which can not be explained easily Most of you believe there is a God or a higher power which can not be explained easily Most believe there is a relationship between Creator (God) and its creation (So, us, Humans) Most believe there is a relationship between Creator (God) and its creation (So, us, Humans) More than 60% of you said Meditation is a means to become spiritual More than 60% of you said Meditation is a means to become spiritual

So, How to choose a system of Meditation? “When a student is ready, a teacher appears?” “When a student is ready, a teacher appears?” Are you ready? Are you ready? Yes, if you have Yes, if you have A life of wonder and inquiry A life of wonder and inquiry An introspective nature An introspective nature Some understanding of spirituality Some understanding of spirituality The Willingness to practice The Willingness to practice How to recognize the Teacher & recognize a suitable system for me? How to recognize the Teacher & recognize a suitable system for me? By Experience of the feeling created due to the self transformation By Experience of the feeling created due to the self transformation When unwell go to the nearest doctor or call the only Doctor in the village. If doctor recommends or if you don’t feel better seek another When unwell go to the nearest doctor or call the only Doctor in the village. If doctor recommends or if you don’t feel better seek another Try sincerely for 3 – 6 months and based on experience go further Try sincerely for 3 – 6 months and based on experience go further

What system do I practice? & Why

Sharpening the saw John and James worked for a company. They are in charge of cutting trees. John got a raise after a year of work and James did not after 5 years. John was cutting more trees and worked less hours while James cut fewer trees but worked harder and longer to keep up.. John sharpened his saw for two minutes after cutting each tree and asked James when he last sharpened his saw. James said he is too busy sawing and has not time to sharpen the saw!!!! What a pity John and James worked for a company. They are in charge of cutting trees. John got a raise after a year of work and James did not after 5 years. John was cutting more trees and worked less hours while James cut fewer trees but worked harder and longer to keep up.. John sharpened his saw for two minutes after cutting each tree and asked James when he last sharpened his saw. James said he is too busy sawing and has not time to sharpen the saw!!!! What a pity So, how many of us stop learning after getting a degree? So, how many of us stop learning after getting a degree? SD is to sharpen the saw and daily meditation is for the same reason SD is to sharpen the saw and daily meditation is for the same reason

Procedure for Starting Sahaj Marg Sign up – Write your name, Group number, phone and ID and turn in the sheet of paper to US Sign up – Write your name, Group number, phone and ID and turn in the sheet of paper to US You will have three meditations called “introductory sittings” from a trainer called “prefect” You will have three meditations called “introductory sittings” from a trainer called “prefect” We will coordinate through your group coordinators We will coordinate through your group coordinators We will teach various aspects of the theoryand practice behind Sahaj Marg over the coming weeks We will teach various aspects of the theoryand practice behind Sahaj Marg over the coming weeks

Group Meditation If time permits

Next week More on Sahaj Marg System of Meditation More on Sahaj Marg System of Meditation 30+ minutes of Group Meditation 30+ minutes of Group Meditation Done in two groups (will be re-seated in two groups) Done in two groups (will be re-seated in two groups) Those that started Natural Path (Sahaj Marg System) Those that started Natural Path (Sahaj Marg System) Others Others We could compare notes later! We could compare notes later!