INTENSION AND ACTION

In our daily mundane life we come across situations where we feel we have missed the goal in spite of putting our best efforts. The reason is that we are having good intention to achieve the end result desired. If we do not convert the same into proper action we cannot hit the target. Thus an intention is to be transformed into action to be successful in one’s pursuits.

Our intentions are the means to arrive at the end result that we desire. If our intentions are good the end result will be good and Vice versa. We can see that we cannot be guided by our intentions as it is only a feeling that is in our mind. Results are judged only by action in almost cent percent of the cases. Hence we should have a positive mental attitude and perform our duties confidently and bravely in order to achieve positive results.

Intention that arises in our mind has to be followed by proper and right action in order to attain success or else it will be fruitless even though our intentions may be right. That is why we have to choose performance over promise where you intend to promise and show performance by your action.

A few scenarios/ statements of intention (an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned action) are as under:

“I intended to finish the project before the due date.”
“I had every intention of being on time”
“I have been wanting to take a class, write a book or volunteer.”

The truth is that our intentions are clear and are all meaningful. The reality is even the most sincere intention has no value without action. The world is full of dreamers and lacks doers. If we put our intentions in motion we get into action mode.

Results are arrived at by action and not by our intention. Telling me you’re going to do something and not carrying it out is intention: it is not action. Our lives are shaped by what we do consistently. Few people actually do what they know needs doing. Any time you put momentum behind your plan you are already ahead of the crowd. The stronger your conviction, the stronger your action. For any intention to become a reality it has to be launched into orbit.

To get ahead you have to get started. While the majority of people have ideas: only a minority do something about them. Thinking about what you want to do or hoping something will happen, gets you nowhere. If you don’t make things happen, things will happen to you without your consent. Every action is a step that will increase your strength, your skill and your confidence. Getting started has its own reward. Action energizes. It strengthens one’s resolve to do more.

Putting your thoughts into action requires focus and determination. Begin where you are and go where you want to be. Implement a plan and get started. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one. Do what you’d rather not do to prepare for what you want. Choose performance over promise. Choose action over intention. If you involve you’ll evolve.

I am sure that my followers and other readers of this page will choose action based plan rather than intention based. Ultimately it’s the action that counts and will uplift you in your chosen field of activity. Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

The word communication comes from the Latin word communicatus which means “to share” or to “have in common”. It is the sharing of thoughts, information and ideas. It involves at least two parties, the Initiator/Sender and a Responder/Receiver. When someone (Sender) communicates, he or she is making his/her ideas known to someone else (Receiver).

Communication skills vary from person to person. The way a person selects or uses words in any communication medium affects the way in which they are interpreted.

Forms of Communication

All thoughts, opinion, information, feelings etc are expressed generally in two forms:

- Written and Verbal (Using words). To communicate verbally means to share or express one’s ideas in the form of words in either Oral (Spoken) or Written manner.
- Non Verbal (Using no words). To communicate non verbally means to share or express one’s ideas or thoughts or opinion without the use of words.


Verbal or Written communication:

Letters, reports, memos, notes, diaries and journal entry are the forms of written communication.. Writing is one way to improve our communication skills as It allows us to express ourselves. In our daily life, writing helps us to remember things that we may not have otherwise remembered. Verbal communication is the key component of strategic interpersonal behavior as knowing the correct language is an important part of communication. Voice plays a major role in verbal communication. A monotone voice may become boring and we must remember to change our voice when speaking. The speed of the spoken language also plays an important role in verbal communication.


Non Verbal Communication

Non verbal communication is a very common form of communication. We can observe that between 70 to 90% of our communication is non verbal and most of the people aren’t aware that they are transmitting such communication. Non verbal communication includes all communication that is not a part of the language we speak or write. The most common among non verbal communication is body language or facial expression, body movement, gestures and posture. Research has shown that our body language has 135 distinct gestures and expression of face, head and body.

When using gestures we must be sure to know what they mean because what may mean one thing in one country may mean something in another country.

Here are a few gestures one should be aware of while visiting another country.

Ø In Europe chewing gum, talking with your hands in pocket, and putting your legs upon the furniture are considered bad manners
Ø In England first names aren’t used unless invited to do so
Ø In Taiwan blinking is considered impolite
Ø In Australia winking at a woman is improper
Ø In the Middle East or Far East pointing with the index finger is impolite


Language and communication in China

The main reason apart from others which make India a positive destination for putting up manufacturing units by multinational organizations is due to effective communication in English language by the people of India. Thus we can see that problems that may result from cultural differences in business are compounded by the fact that even though a native speaker of one language has learned the other person’s language, he or she may not have been sufficiently exposed to actual usage of the target language. Mistakes in usage can occur even when one’s grammar and pronunciation are correct.

In organizations today, people must work together and combine their mutual talents and energies to create high performance organizations. Towards achieving this end they must excel at interpersonal communication.

The goal of communication should be such that, the intended meaning of the source and the perceived meaning of the receiver are the same. This is what effective communication is all about.

Hope this topic is interesting to all the readers as were my previous ones. Awaiting your comments.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

ART OF LIVING ( Cosmic Consciousness)

All of us are not aware of what we are and who we are. When someone asks a question, ‘who are you?’ We instantly tend to spell our name or something else. The same question came in the mind of bagwan Sri Ramanamaharishi. The question was ‘Who am I?’. After a long thought process the following occurred in his mind. ‘I am not the mind, I am not the ego and I am not the senses. I am beyond all that. I am pure consciousness.’ After negating all mentioned herein as ‘not this’ ‘not this’, that awareness which alone remains – that I am, was his reply. The nature of awareness is existence –consciousness-bliss.

Thus we see that we should not think we are mind and body. Animals do not have a sixth sense and so we are a shade better than them as we allow our senses to guide us. The true potential of human beings is not in the power of mind. The purpose of human life is to transcend the mind and reach a higher state of consciousness. In that state we are truly in the divinity that we descended from. Till we reach that state of unity with what we truly are, we are in turmoil. This turmoil between our true nature and what we pretend and strive to be is what we call stress or tension.

If we set aside our judgement about ourselves, about people around us and about situations, we can see that out of the blue we have become stress free. Thus you are instantaneously liberated from stress.

In doing our karma we have to close the chapter of the past and not parade into the future that is not there and learn to live in today’s life, enjoy every moment of being in the present and reap the benefits of it. A tensed and confined mind is a barrier to such a joyful life. Man is the mind. As is the mind, so is the man. The attitude of a person determines the altitude of performance in any chosen field. If a man is capable of being proud of doing a good job, he is also capable of being guilty in doing a shoddy job. Pride and guilt are the two sides of the same coin.

The act of performing karma, as yoga, is an art in itself, and the Gita has very explicitly and beautifully described this karma yoga. Karma yoga shows us the way ‘to live with the mind and yet to transcend it’. The very secret of Karma Yoga is that it teaches one how to perform his Karma rather than to tell him what action to choose. Avoiding karma is not intelligence and we should learn and adopt the right attitude while performing it. Let us try to understand it by an example. An archer aims his arrow at the target. When he aims at the target very playfully, without any expectation in his mind, just for the fun of shooting, the arrow reaches the desired destination. The whole act is so effortless. But when the archer’s mind is fixed on a gold medal then the game becomes a strain. An unknown fear arises in his mind. His whole mind is not fixed on the target. One part of his mind is drawn towards the medal while the other part is aiming at the target. Now there is a duality in the mind. When the medal is gold his tension becomes manifold. He is more concerned with the praise, than with the aim and thus his talent suffers. There is division, confusion and suffering in the mind. This is the nature of the mind. Instead of being in the present it swings either to the past or into the future. To live in the present means to enjoy singing the song totally. Expecting the results of action means to swing to the future that is yet to come.

Sri Krishna in the Gita says, “Sacrifice the fruits of action unto me.” Such a mental attitude removes the fear and tension from us. Tension and worry are for those who carry their ego and bring it into every action they perform. They become slaves to their own egoistic minds. We should practice detached attachment for this is the only way to attain stability and happiness. We find the world offers variety, novelty and diversity but no stability. We can see that wherever there is stability there is happiness and this makes us look for a stable life rather than seeking pleasurable pursuits. Thus surrendering the fruits of our action to the lord is the right way. This is truth.


He or she who lives life, free of the fear of death lives life truly. It is only natural that as mortals death is certain to us and gives us an opportunity to rest. He who works hard during the day eagerly awaits the night so that he can have rest. Just as dawn follows dusk, a new birth follows death. Death is a blissful state of rest. The process of sleep and awaking when living in this body is called rest. To leave this body and to awaken in another new body is called death. This is the only difference between death and rest. Death is therefore a state of blissfulness. When we learn to live life free of bondage and attachment then we will welcome death happily.

We should perform our actions with awareness and should not look forward to its results. We should not worry about the future and learn to live in the present. Too much concern about the future makes us tense and we will fail to enjoy the present and unnecessarily loose the joy of action. When the fruits of our action are offered to the God it is called iswararpanam. If we take a stand and ask so what? Instead of what? Be it in life, profit or loss, victory or defeat, pain or pleasure, joy or sorrow, honour or dishonour and accept everything as his Prasad a great tranquility sets in. On the other hand if we look upon all happenings in our life as only the result of our actions, name them as victory or defeat, profit or loss, and then the mind becomes filled with worry, anxiety and disappointment. In other words mind becomes sick. A mind that accepts everything as prasadam and as a blessing bestowed by the lord is a healthy mind. No one can disturb a man who accepts everything in life as his Prasad. Not even God can disturb him. This is the kind of mental attitude that we must develop.

We shall see an example quoted by swami Chinmayananda. A glass is half filled with milk. An optimist looks into it and says “the glass is half full”. A pessimist says, “It is half empty.” The first man sees what is there, the positive side; the second man sees what is not there, the negative side. The optimist is always happy seeing only happiness and joy around him. The pessimist is sad failing to see the good in all things. Both the statements are true but there is a great difference in their mental outlook and attitudes. One sees the fullness, the other only emptiness. A contended mind is heaven. An unfulfilled mind is hell. Our mental outlook can make a great difference. Yet another point to be noted is that in looking into the English alphabets and assigning values like A=1, B=2, C=3 … and so on , we find the word Attitude will add up to 100 thus showing that one can achieve 100% in his pursuits if he has the right attitude.

Money can make one happy or sad. Some feel sad that they have only one lakh rupees. Some others feel very happy and contended that they have one thousand rupees. A mind that is contended is a mind filled with Prasad buddhi. Karma yoga teaches us to accept everything with the attitude of prasada buddhi. Greed and desire are diseases of the mind. You can be ambitious. You should not be avaricious.


I felt like taking to Sanyasa in order to get rid of this mundane world where we are connected called bondage or samsara sagaram. I made self enquiries to myself and heard the view points from learned people on this subject and the following is the outcome. Sanyasa does not mean withdrawing from this world and running away into the Himalayas. If we try to escape from worldly affairs this mind cycle will follow us wherever we go. To live in the world and yet be detached is Sanyasa. That is the subtleness of Karma Yoga! While on this subject we can look into the difference between knowledge and enlightenment. When you have knowledge you use a torch to show the way. When you are enlightened you become a torch.

I hope that all the readers of this article would be enlightened and have a sense of urge to dwell more into the subject of consciousness and thus end up in bliss.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

MISSION AND VISION

At the outset, let us remind ourselves of the fact that Mission and Vision statements are necessary for both the individual and the organization or the institution he is connected with. Both people and organizations need to establish a strategic framework for significant success.

The constituents of the framework are as under:

- A vision for the future
- A mission that defines what you are doing
- Values that shape one’s actions
- Strategies that zero in on your key success approaches.
- Goals and action plans to guide your Daily, weekly and monthly actions.

A person’s organization’s success and his personal success depend on how well he defines and live by each of these important things. Let us see in brief about each one of the constituents mentioned above in order that our understanding is clear and try from now on to set for ourselves a Vision, Mission and Goals and reap the benefits by sowing the seed of Success.

Vision statement

A vision is a statement about what your organization wants to become. It should be shared with all members of the organization. This in turn helps them to feel proud, excited and also makes them feel a part of something bigger than themselves. A vision should stretch the organization’s capabilities and image of itself. It gives shape and direction to the organization’s future.

Sample of Vision statement

“To be a 20 Million USD company by 2009-10”. (ABC Limited – India)

The key focus areas towards this vision are:

- Product specialization
- Technology upgradation
- Supply chain management
- Organization development and
- World class manufacturing practices


Mission Statement

Mission or Purpose is a precise description of what an organization does. It should describe the business the organization is in. It is a definition of “Why” the organization exists currently. Each member of an organization should be able to verbally express this mission. Additionally each person needs a mission for his or her Life. The alignment of your life mission with your organization’s mission is one of the key factors in determining whether you are happy with your work and work place. If they are incongruent, you are likely to be dissatisfied with your work choice.

Samples of Mission statement

“We want to be the best service organization in the world” (IBM)
“To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the same thing as rich people” (Wal-mart)
“To help customers achieve their business objectives by providing innovative, best-in-class consulting, IT solutions and services.” (TATA Consultancy Services)
“To be the preferred source for speciality Valves in the industry” (ABC Limited – India)
We commit to achieve the mission through

- Mutual trust with technology partners
- Motivated employees
- Technology
- SCM and
- Ethical business practices.

Don’t you feel that you should have one for you as an Individual to start with...?


Values

Values are traits or qualities that are considered worthwhile; they represent an individual’s highest priorities and deeply held driving force. Value statements define how people want to behave with each other in the organization. They are statements about how the organization will value customers, suppliers and the internal community. The values of each of the individuals in the work place, along with their experience, upbringing and so on, mesh together to form the corporate culture. The values of senior leaders are especially important in the development of the culture.

Companies whose employees understand the Mission and Goals enjoy a 29% greater return than other firms. (Watson Wyatt work study)


Strategies

Strategies are the broadly defined four or five key approaches the organization will use to accomplish its mission and drive toward the vision. Goals and action plans usually flow from each strategy.

One example of a strategy is employee empowerment and teams.
Another is to pursue a new worldwide market.
Another is to streamline the current distribution system using lean management principles.
Yet another is to create and maintain a high tech manufacturing facility
Adapt a supportive ERP
Maintain a slim and satisfied team and adapt a lean manufacturing system.

Goals and action plans

After you have developed the key strategies, turn your attention to developing several goals that will enable you to accomplish each of your strategies.

An often repeated saying is that the Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time based.

The last but not the least important note is to immediately start thinking about our own Life as our Values form the cornerstone for all we do and accomplish. Check if you are truly living your values.

S.Sekar, B.Tech, PGDM.
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

EXPERIMENT AND EXPERIENCE

The terms ‘Experiment’ and ‘Experience’ are two different words which convey meanings which are quite interesting as we look closely at them. Hence I choose to write on this topic for this month.

The difference is underlined thus:
By doing an Experiment we get a result for that action and can record the results. We can even tabulate the results of our experiments in a book. The same experiment if conducted any number of times will yield the same results. Also if an experiment is carried out in India and later performed in United States of America the end result will be the same no matter where it is conducted. If a satellite is sent to the moon by India or USA the trajectory will be the same and the Apogee and perigee will have to be strictly the same in order that the satellite falls into the Orbit where it is slated. Thus we can see in all instances with regard to performing an experiment by any one, at any place and at any point of time will give the same end result. We come to the conclusion that all similar experiments will produce the same results for everyone at any place and at any point of time. Experiments are repeatable. The end results are the same.

In the case of Experience, we feel the sense of experiencing, when one undergoes that phase during the course of his journey. Experience is a feeling that comes within oneself and the same is only for himself. The feeling is his own and it can be one of Joy or Sorrow, Pain or pleasure, good or Bad but it is his own experience which gives that feeling at that point of time. For Example if I see the Rain, it gives me a Joyous feeling and I experience a sense of Joy within me. On the other hand the same rain may not bring Joy to another person and he will hate the monsoon season when it arrives. He doesn’t like getting drenched in rain, and feels that he can’t go on muddy and dirty roads during rainy season and dirty his clothes which gives him an uncomfortable feeling. Thus we can see that whatever one experiences in his Life is a feeling for him only. Any other person may have an equally opposite feeling on the same subject which you feel happy about. We can then say that Experience is UNIQUE.

It is that uniqueness which differentiates Experiment from Experience. Experiment can be repeated and the end result is same. Experience is Unique and will produce different feelings for different individuals for the same incident. Though we may know the difference in our daily mundane life, I brought it out as the thoughts flickered in my mind during this month when I was travelling to Mumbai in India my home country which I deeply love and am proud of.

I sincerely solicit comments from all the readers of my Blog.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

“Empowering Women tends to their added Strength” which is akin to the term “Knowledge is Wealth”. We come across in our daily life women who are docile, physically and mentally weak, who feel they are deprived, have a sense of fear due to their gender. I feel they suffer more than Men in various ways.

Having said so, we can see the various means of giving that added strength to women and empower them. By empowering women we gain a lot as we can see a paradigm shift in their appearance and style and action. Thus we too can become confident by seeing the enormous strength in every woman who is empowered.

In the case of India, the parliament has passed a bill for the empowerment of women. They are represented everywhere and even a percentage of seats are ear marked for women by all parties that take part in Indian elections. Not withstanding this, we can see the success of some of the women who have made a great impact not only for themselves but also for their country.

The most successful women that I can think of is Mrs. Indira Gandhi of India, Mrs. Golda Meir of Israel, Mrs. Margret Thatcher of Great Britain to name a few. These great persons have lead their country in the past. Still there are many who are brave and willing, intelligent, full of energy who are knowledgeable and ready to take the baton. Empowering them will make them strong and we can see a change of scenario.

Take for instance the Indian situation. We have seen a glamorous and a brave and an intelligent Chief Minister of Tamilnadu in Ms. J.Jayalalitha, who took the council of ministers to task since she always did her home work before attending the assembly session. She is a most able and a selfless statesman. As the saying goes thus: “A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.”

From the corporate world in the Indian context we can see the examples of Indira Nooyi of Pepsi Cola, Anu Aga of Thermax, Mrs Kiran Majumdar Shah of Biocon, and Mrs. Chanda Kochar of ICICI who are leading their respective companies and are at the helm. There is a lot to be done in making women all over the world enter all walks of Life. This will lead us to a better and a welcoming atmosphere where we can see women who are blissful and charged with energy, willing and supportive, and enlightened.

I am open for healthy discussions on this subject from my group members and all others.


S.Sekar

BHAGAWAN SRI RAMANA MAHARISHI

Throughout the history of mankind spiritual giants have appeared on very rare occasions to exemplify the Highest Truth, guiding followers by their conduct in every moment of their lives; Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi was such a giant. Unique in our time, He perfectly embodied the ultimate truth of Self-realisation, or complete absorption in the Supreme Itself.

Sri Ramana maintained that the purest form of his teachings was the powerful silence which radiated from his presence and quieted the minds of those attuned to it. He gave verbal teachings only for the benefit of those who could not understand his silence.[3] His verbal teachings were said to flow from his direct experience of Consciousness as the only existing reality.[4] When asked for advice, he recommended self-enquiry as the fastest path to moksha. Though his primary teaching is associated with Non-dualism, Advaita Vedanta, and Jnana yoga, he highly recommended Bhakti, and gave his approval to a variety of paths and practices

Teachers in his tradition
He considered his own guru to be the Self, in the form of the sacred mountain Arunachala. Sri Ramana did not publicize himself as a guru, never claimed to have disciples, and never appointed any successors. While a few who came to see him are said to have become enlightened through association, and there are accounts of private acknowledgements, he did not publicly acknowledge any living person as liberated other than his mother at death. Sri Ramana declared himself an atiasrama[47](beyond all caste and religious restrictions, not attached to anything in life), and did not belong to or promote any lineage. Despite his non-affiliations,[48] there are numerous contemporary teachers who publicly associate themselves with Sri Ramana, and some who assert being in his lineage.
His method of teaching was characterized by the following:
He urged people who came to him to practice self-enquiry;
He directed people to look inward rather than seeking outside themselves for Realization. ("The true Bhagavan resides in your Heart as your true Self. This is who I truly am.");
He viewed all who came to him as the Self rather than as lesser beings. ("The jnani sees no one as an ajnani. All are only jnanis in his sight.");
He charged no money, and was adamant that no one ever ask for money (or anything else) in his name;
He never promoted or called attention to himself. Instead, Sri Ramana remained in one place for 54 years, offering spiritual guidance to anyone of any background who came to him, and asking nothing in return;
He considered humility to be the highest quality;
He said the deep sense of peace one felt around a jnani was the surest indicator of their spiritual state, that equality towards all was a true sign of liberation, and that what a true jnani did was always for others, not themselves.

I am a follower of Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharishi as I found him to be a unique person whose life history is to be read and eschewed by every one who has a belief in himself.

I am open to have discussions and exchange Ideas with all my Group members who have questions and looking for answers.

S.Sekar