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- Throughout my years of practice, I’ve encountered numerous meditation techniques, each designed for various purposes - from stress relief to inner peace, psychic self-defence to financial well-being. However, among the myriad of methods I’ve learned, only a few have become part of my daily routine, yielding the most significant benefits. While reciting the Great Invocation remains my primary practice for personal well-being and service to humanity, the second most impactful technique in my daily arsenal is undoubtedly “energetic rooting” or “grounding”.
- In my decade-long quest for the perfect Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) tool, I’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem: Twos. This elegantly simple yet surprisingly comprehensive tool has quickly become an indispensable part of my productivity arsenal. Twos stands out with its clean, uncluttered interface, belying the robust functionality beneath. While my trusty Obsidian-Excalidraw duo remains unrivalled for visual note-taking, Twos effortlessly fills the gap in list management and task planning. Their claim, “The best place to write things down”, perfectly encapsulates its essence.
- In July, I kept reading the amazing book “Talks on Agni.” by Torkom Saraydarian and I found this really interesting idea: “The Secret Doctrine says that an atom wants to become a person, and a person wants to become a god.” I’m still thinking about what this really means, but it keeps making me wonder. Maybe it explains why we always want to get better at things. This idea suggests that everything, from the tiniest bit to the biggest thing, wants to grow and improve.
- I’ve been playing the electric bass for years, grooving with various rock bands and even big bands. But lately, life’s demands have pushed my beloved instrument into the background. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon Ali Abdaal’s “Feel Good Productivity” that I realised why my fingers hadn’t danced across those strings in months. Abdaal’s suggestion is deceptively simple: make visible what you want to accomplish. It hit me - my bass was tucked away in its case, out of sight and, consequently, out of mind.
- While reading Ali Abdaal’s insightful book, Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You, I stumbled upon a fascinating concept: the Batman Effect. This idea, rooted in psychology, suggests that adopting an alter ego can help us overcome our fears and tackle daunting tasks with newfound confidence. Imagine having an alter ego who is fearless, capable, and unburdened by the anxieties that often hold us back. Just as Bruce Wayne becomes Batman, we too can step into a persona that empowers us to face challenges head-on.
- One thought leads to another, and soon I’m carried along a current that brings me to considerations far from the original point. Reading “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, I encounter the idea that a small change in our life can lead to a significant and profound transformation if we are consistent and observe its effects over a sufficiently long period. Nothing new, right? If we go to the gym for the first time today, we won’t see much change in our body.
- Reflecting on ‘Ikigai’, a Japanese concept that sits at the intersection of what we excel at, what we love to do, what society needs and what can earn us a living. This confluence whispers the secret of a happy life. Having only read the first few pages of Héctor García and Francesc Miralles’ text Ikigai, it is remarkable how it inspires personal reflection beyond the study of Japan’s long-established Okinawa community.
- Just started reading “Feel good productivity”, a fascinating book by Ali Abdall. Now, while it might not unravel revolutionary esoteric secrets, it does invite us to ponder over simple truths that we all can observe in our everyday lives. Plus, it dishes out some pretty amusing insights, which I’d love to share with you. Ever pondered over the thought of work being a bit of a laugh? Many of us likely don’t look at our jobs as something to “enjoy”.
- How can we navigate the vast ocean of time in a nutshell, amongst waves of work and family commitments, looming deadlines, tasks, and ever-present responsibilities? The bitter taste of being unable to achieve everything gnaws at us. We could become masters in time management, but our schedule overflows, seemingly impossible to clear. The wisdom of Brian Tracy intrigues me, author of the appreciated “Eat that Frog!” and a plethora of motivational treatises, who asserts that the sole way to master our time is to change our thinking, accepting the existence of actions that can be accomplished, and others that will inevitably be neglected.
- Today, we honor Mahatma Gandhi, also referred to as the “great soul,” whose teachings of non-violence, or “ahimsa,” altered the path of Indian history and had a global impact. We mourn the killing of Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi on January 30, the 78th anniversary of his death, and his conviction in nonviolent resistance and tolerance. Gandhi was crucial in helping to secure India’s independence, but his impact extended well beyond that, as he ignited a global movement for nonviolent means of achieving justice and peace.