Meeting of Minds

Last week, I met a friend I had never met before. We had connected on a Trainer’s Group on WhatsApp. When we met, senior trainer, Ajit Kaikini seemed like an old friend. As we interacted, we found lots of common ground.

 

We both grew in the organisation of Jaycees, albeit at different times. We never met each other in the organisation, but we discovered that we had many common friends. We were able to compare notes.

 

But the real meeting of minds was seeing Ajit’s passion while conducting sessions for young students. It was inspiring to see an experienced corporate trainer come down to the level of the young as well as take them to loftier visions.

 

The meeting of minds is important for real connect between personalities. The mind seeks a mirror of shared ethics, values and attitude. And I was happy to see a person I want to be. This is a positive meeting of minds which is progressive and inspiring.

 

But meeting of minds can also be negative when we search for the other for an activity that may not one to be flaunted. Where larger visions are replaced by lesser habits or self-centred activities. Here too minds meet but it may not be desirable.

 

We must seek to meet minds that are committed to a greater common good. We must interact with those who step outside the comfort zone to involve in selfless work. We must ensure that the minds we meet are role models having a sense of purpose.

 

meeting of minds is worthy indeed

with personalities of selfless deeds

 

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Pointer

Zen philosophy insists that truth has nothing to do with words. It likens truth and words to a moon and a finger, respectively. Buddha says that though the finger can point to the moon’s location, it is necessary to look beyond the finger to see the moon.

Being obsessed with the pointer is pointless. More often than not we tend to spend too much time in analysis of the pointer. If we are discussing whether things are better or worse, we generally get stuck in the validity of concepts and models.

 

Surely it would be better to step out and experience something directly. The map is never the territory. It is just a pointer based on a belief, a perception, an image or a thought process. If the map is right, we reach our location. But if it is incorrect, we have to discard the map.

 

Most of the time, our map keeps changing depending on the position we are in and our desired destination. It is okay to have a map, only as long as we know it is a map. It is more important to connect to real territory… to step beyond the pointer!

 

Too often, we allow the pointer to become an addictive restriction. Whether it is our own ego, life purposes or larger community concerns, we would be better off if we move beyond the pointers and embark on the journey of real experience.

 

To discover fresh frontiers

Move beyond the pointers!

 

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Excursion

As members of State Board of Samraat Club International, our monthly meetings are on Wednesday evenings. However, this month’s hosts, Pandurang Gaokar and Kamlakant Wadyekar invited us on Sunday to their beautiful village of Chorao! They arranged for an amazing experience starting with an excursion.

We moved around in a boat, through the mangrove side of Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. We saw birds, fishes and a rich bio-diversity. For most, it was a first time experience to move around a village which we had often passed through. The joy on our faces stood testimony to the beauty of the returns we received.

 

Excursions make for interesting insights and engaging experiences. The short journey or trip, especially one taken as a leisure activity, is a deviation from our regular activity or course. We end up noticing the woods we pass by.

 

We have an excuse for not taking enough excursions: we don’t have the time! We deny ourselves the opportunity to unwind and get energised by a journey of discovery. We should choose to explore and widen the cone of our life to include fresh insights.

 

Interestingly, the word ‘excursion’ comes from the Latin roots of ‘ex’ and ‘currerre’, which means ‘to run out’. We should ‘run out’ of our routine to involve in explorations of environment, heritage, lives and livelihoods in our immediate and nearby locations. They will lead us to distant ones as we embrace the happy habit of excursions.

 

Run out of the routine, step out into the sun

Exciting excursions await you on a trip of fun!

 

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Unsung

 In a recent concert, vocalist Shakuntala Bharne took time between her renditions to introduce on-stage and off-stage team members! She gave interesting information of their role and their experience. She mentioned that they often remain unsung!

 The term ‘unsung’ refers to the ones who are not appreciated for their contributions. They are often not noticed as they may be positioned in the background or not in view at all. Their efforts to enhance the song may be significant but they remain unsung!

 

The onus is on the one holding centre stage to ensure that they are identified for their role which may be unseen. They must ensure that the players of various roles and responsibilities are duly recognised by the audience.

 

So every time we sing to acclaim and applause, we must share the credit with the ones who help us perform. We must bring them to the fore and share their input that leads to the impact. None who helps the performance must go unsung.

 

We must learn to share credit and appreciation and applause. It leads to sharing of dignity and rights. We must share it with those who work hard yet get paid less and receive no appreciation for what they do. We must ensure that they do not go unsung!

 

Acknowledge those who help you scale the rung

When we grab exclusive credit, they go unsung!

 

- Pravin K. Sabnis