Personal-Growth
- Have you ever felt completely lost, even though deep down you knew you weren’t? We all experience moments when we need to return to basics, to find solid ground beneath our feet. Today, I’d like to share a fundamental concept from Buddhist philosophy that has helped countless individuals find their way: The Three Jewels. Why Learn About the Three Jewels? I often encounter friends and colleagues who approach me with questions about meditation, typically when they’re already stressed or overwhelmed.
- 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.
- 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”.
- “If your entire happiness depends on what someone else does, I think you have a problem,” writes Richard Bach in his wonderful “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”. If we stop to reflect on what our happiness depends on, we’d likely discover that it’s not entirely up to us. True, we now know that we play a very important role in the game of joy; however, we reach a point where we feel limited by the actions and relationships of those around us (spouse, friends, colleagues, children…) waiting for something external to intervene and change our mood.
- When asked what his first deed would be if he were to be made Emperor of China, Confucius replied, “I would re-establish the precise meaning of words.“He knew that words have a dynamic power to kill or to cure, and should be used carefully. All religions, cultures, and civilizations have known and taught that your word is your power. Your words are constantly doing one of two things: building up or tearing down; healing or destroying.
- I am publicly posting this (slightly adapted) message that I have shared with the TSG Ashram Group this month. Recent events in the Middle East and other global crises have really struck a chord with me. As I ponder potential solutions, I came across a quote that resonated, found in “Challenge for Discipleship” by Torkom Saraydarian (page 36). “In cooperation, one slowly learns to understand the values of others and to adjust oneself to others in such a way that they and others become more productive.
- In the mystical journey of self-discovery, the ancient Sanskrit term “param-guru” holds a profound significance. This term, translating to “the supreme master” or “the ultimate Guru,” symbolizes a spiritual mentor of exceptional wisdom and insight, a beacon guiding seekers on the path to enlightenment. Like a school curriculum where teachers change as we ascend to higher grades, each with their own unique wisdom, our spiritual voyage is dotted with various mentors.