Things that make you go hmmm...

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired,read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We havemultiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you...

Pass this on, it is thought provoking...

The OSHO Experience

People and things that are interesting can be controversial. Things that are controversial are often misunderstood. I like to form my own opinions though experience rather than someone elses account...Futhermore perceptions often stay fixed when everything constantly changes...Take a father who always sees their daughter as a little girl even at age 30, people stuck replaying the past like a broken record rather than embracing the present or a someone who knows you as who you were not who you have become.

Recently I ventured to OSHO's meditation resort in Pune. His story is a fascinating one some might say interesting...One of the many of books he wrote : From Sex to the

Superconscious propelled him sky high. This was back in the age of Aquarius, bell bottoms, the merry pranksters, and free love. I have heard interesting stories of once upon a time at his centers where people were very open and free with their expression of sexuality. Well those were the 70's and thirty years later things have changed, drastically.

I bring this up due to the fact that before you enter his meditation resort in Pune you must take an AIDS test. Which of course brings people back to the idea that there is a orgy going on inside the gates. His point in doing this was to increase AIDS awareness in the world as he predicted in the early 80's it was going to be a epidemic in the future.

It is also been called "the Armani of ashrams" as it is compared to most ashrams very lavish and expensive. With that cost comes an amazing zen environment with great facilities. There is the omnipresent sound of water, an abundance of flora, conscious design and incredible programs.

During the day everyone wears crimson robes, for an evening meditation white robes and than at night people dress "normally"...this was interesting.

My time there was filled with various types of meditation, dancing, philosophical lectures, a diet of vegetarian food, interesting encounters and an overwhelming sense of actually living as a human being not a human doing.

You can learn more about the center and OSHO @ http://www.osho.com/Main.cfm?Area=MedResort&Language=English

शरणं गच्छ

Shangri La

The northernmost region of India has always been a mystical area people have been drawn to. The Himalayas are not the easiest to get to and this is what has preserved much of its charm. People tend to journey there to find peace and I was no different as I ventured there last week. One of my stops was Dharmsala, the home of many Tibetan exiles and the Dali Lama. In 1960 India was gracious enough to permit to Tibetans to settle in this area which is often called “Little Lhasa”.

It was interesting to learn more about the Tibetan culture and spend time with a diverse array of Tibetans and travelers. If you ever come to India I highly recommend spending time there, it is a special place. After a few days in Dharmsala I headed out for a three day trek which was one of the most challenging and fulfilling I have ever done. The cotton candy clouds, blankets of wildflowers, breathtaking vistas, entertaining guides and fellow trekkers made for an unforgettable experience. I must confess I have never been sorer than after this trek and I hobbled around for the next three days all the while grinning as the juice was worth the squeeze…

I ended my travel with a brief stop in Shimla which was the summer dwelling for British Raj while inhabiting India. It is also a popular honeymoon destination for India newlyweds and home to many entertaining monkeys. I enjoyed seeing the British crafted city and imagining what it used to be like back in the day but it paled in comparison to the tranquil space of Dharmsala.

Puja Ceremony

“Puja is the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals”. There are various types of Puja's for certain stages of life, holy days and daily offerings to god. The Satyam School of Leadership is about to open and there recently was a Puja to bless the building (there was also one before ground was broken on the site for the building and I am sure there are more to come). The four hour ceremony consisted of chanting, lighting candles, offering food, money and flowers to the creator, cracking of coconuts (to symbolize breaking the outer shell or ego and connecting with the spirit), ancient storytelling and many other interesting rituals. It was fascinating to be apart of and I was fortunate to have a colleague translate for me so I could better understand the meaning of each part of the intricate process. Check out this link for more info on Puja’s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puja

Amsterdam

After two months in the U.S. I decided to head to Amsterdam for some relaxation prior to returning to India. Every time I arrive in Amsterdam a warm and peaceful vibe washes over me (which is not from inhaling the smoke wafting from the coffee shops, but I have heard it can have a similar effect). With more bikes than people, canals than Venice, friendly people and beautiful architecture it is not hard to fall under its spell. My Uncle Roger has lived in Amsterdam for over ten years and is always gracious enough to open up his home. I was fortunate to spend time with my Dutch friend Caroline that I met in India and my buddy Nate who is working in London this summer. It was splendid to catch up with both of them and enjoy the relaxed pace of life in Holland.

Leadership Without Borders

My friend and colleague Ed Cohen recently wrote a book on Global Leadership. These days many western corporations are keen to reap the benefits of setting up operations in developing countries for obvious reasons. However, one consideration that some corporations tend to neglect is truly understanding the culture of the countries they are trying expand in. Numerous companies fail and others struggle for this reason. Leadership Without Borders discusses the concept of being a Global Leader from the perspectives of executives all over the world. Check it out!


http://leadershipwithoutborders.com/

The Speed of Change

Check out this 8 minute presentation on the the present and future. It contains some flabbergasting figures....

If nothing else you will enjoy the music.

It does take a few minutes to upload and ignore the 1st 42.3 seconds or so...

http://www.lps.k12.co.us/schools/arapahoe/fisch/didyouknow/didyouknow.wmv

Lelia Jane's

If you are ever in Chicago and looking for a chill place to hang out, head to Lelia Jane's. This lounge is owned by my buddy Greg and he will be happy to show you a good time.

Both ends of the spectrum

In the same week I was fortunate to see both my 92 year old Grandmother and witness the birth of Zachery Roy (my cousin Caity’s second child). At the end and the beginning of life; being with them was a reminder of how precious life is.

Indian Wedding

Today I was privileged to attend the wedding of a co-worker. I continue to be impressed by how everything in this culture has symbolism and meaning…names, spices, colors, fruits, time of day, grains, thread, you name it and there is a story behind it… It makes every little action purposeful and rich. For example, the bride and groom go around a ceremonial fire seven times. Each round about the fire symbolizes a part of life. The groom leads in first three rounds symbolizing that the earlier part of marriage is led by the groom. The bride leads in the last four rounds symbolizing that the latter part of life will be led by her. When leaving the event their hands are tied together with string and there garments as well to signify their unification. We all had the opportunity to approach the bride and groom, give them a gift, say a few kind words and then sprinkle or throw rice over their heads as blessings.

The wedding was overflowing with vibrancy. From the elaborate clothes worn, the resonating music played to the amazing flowers adorned everywhere.

Outside there was a parrot tarot card reader, assisted by a gentleman. When you sat down the bird would come out of his cage approach a set of cards, pick one up with his beak and hand it to his counterpart who conducted a reading about your future…

Context

Sharing my experiences in India with friends and family back in the US has proven difficult. It is hard to truly express what life is like for me here when people lack 1st hand experiences that allow them to really relate with the drastic differences. Sensory experiences provide people a richer understanding that resonates within and adds depth.

Recently my girlfriend Gina ventured to India for the 1st time. Prior to her arrival we had talked extensively about my experiences and life here, but that was just talk… I am extremely grateful she had the experience to absorb it all personally. Doors that were previously closed are now open in terms of relating to me. Gina spent five days exploring the North with her friend Jivan and then flew down to the South to spend time with me. I had the opportunity to show her some of Hyderabad, where I live and work, introduce her to my colleagues, take her to some of my favorite restaurants and expose her to some of the crazy contrast of India. After two days in Hyderabad we flew to Goa to find peace on the coast. The next four days were just what we had imagined; relaxing and restorative. Like the difference between looking at the ocean on the surface and diving into its depths, Gina and I now have a deeper relationship and understanding of each other. I am thankful she was willing and open to explore mystic India….

After six days of adventure, discovery and connection with Gina, I thought to myself:

Is it possible to feel empty and full at the same time?