Category: Coaching

The Power of Presence

One of the readers asked me, “Why should we be present? What does that mean? How does that affect our lives?” Volumes have been written on and much talked about this subject. In this article, I will elaborate my own understanding of the subject. What does living in this Present moment or Now mean? Aren’t we all living in the now? We say things like, “I want this now. I need to leave for an appointment now.” And, what is so special about it? That which cannot be captured by our minds (or thoughts) is Presence, Existence or living in...

Ways to Attract Abundance and Whatever You Want into Your Life

(Approximately 2800 words) Abundance means different things to different people. For one it may be money, for another it may be health. I define abundance as having all material enjoyments—health, money, cars—in a balanced, detached way, having a grounding that does not make you greedy and selfish and helps you evolve and work for the greater good. In my earlier article, Ask, and Ye Shall Receive, I discussed what you should do when you were faced with a life situation that needed to be changed. It may be a work situation that needed a change—may be you were not recognized...

Ask, and Ye Shall Receive

Most often it so happens that we don’t get the appreciation or receive what is rightfully ours. I will take the example of work-life here, since most of us spend a lot of time at work trying to make a living. You work hard. You dedicate yourself to work. You want not only your success, but also the whole of your company’s. You work overtime—nights and weekends. You meet all your deadlines, deliver high quality results. It is time for your annual review. You step into your boss’s office. He (used for convenience, you could substitute ‘she’, if you like)...

Being a Better Team Player

In the article, Being a Better Leader, I talked about qualities one should develop to become a better leader. In this article, I will discuss the qualities one should develop for being a better team player. As you read, you will realize that most of the qualities are common to both a leader and a team member, though with a slightly different emphasis. It is no coincidence, for a leader is also a member of the organization which is a larger team. Be compassionate—Be understanding of other person’s feelings. Be kind and encouraging toward your coworkers and your supervisors. Yes,...

Being a Better Leader

In my career spanning the last 13+ years, I have had opportunities to work with and observe some great and some not so great managers. I have gathered some insights into how to and how not to be a team leader. Though I have not, myself, been a manager of a team, I have managed projects, cross-functionally, with people from different groups reporting to me on the status of the projects we were working on. I believe that managing people is not rocket science. It takes heart to be a good leader. One of my recent managers has been the...

Can We Lead a Spiritual Life in a Material World and Still Achieve a Balance?

(Here is the Transliteration scheme for sanskrit.) Universe is an Illusion brahman is Real Universe is brahman — Adi SankarAcArya The above quote has a profound meaning for me. When I started off my yoga practices, about 5 years ago, I did not understand this seemingly contradictory statement. However, I understand it better now, than I did then. When a person embarks on a spiritual journey, one is first taught that the whole of this universe is an illusion or mAya and that brahman is the only reality. However, upon realization, or at least having a glimpse, of the brahman...

On Gurus and Disciples

You must be wondering why I chose to write on this topic. Well… I have seen many people fall into the trap of gurU Worship or idolization of their gurU to such an extent that they got into financial hardships, and relationship problems with others and with themselves. Hence it is only fitting for me to share my knowledge of what or who guruis and is not, in hopes that this may help some of you. I will also talk about what or who a disciple or SishyA is. I will write all the sanskrit words in italics using this...