Power to change

We all have power to change, some more than others. At least we can shine our corner, with other people in mind. We can learn from nature.

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

Nature has amazing power 

Trees find space to grow,
Light finds space to spread, 
Birds find space to fly,
Water finds space to flow.

Joe Biden is now the 46th president of the USA,
The most powerful person in the world.
Will he create space,
and use his power to create long lasting change? 

To heal the wounds in a divided country,
To provide health service for all,
To eradicate poverty and inequality?
To ease tension between the races,
To make all lives matter
and more...?
To reflect the spirit of the  US Declaration

of independence, 1776.

(c) Harish Davda, November 2020

Harish Davda works as an Enneagram and Conscious Business Coach and Trainer. He also leads an online Meditation Group.

Harish can be contacted via email: harish.davda@gmail.com

Facebook and Instagram: @harishdavdacoach

Thoughts and consciousness

Isle of Skye is a photographer's paradise. As an amateur photographer, I'm spoilt for choice every time I go out. These photos were taken yesterday near Portree while walking with a walkers' group. 

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

So, thoughts are powerful,
Like a magnet, they can attract what we want.
By observing our mind, we can learn about our thoughts,

and have an ability to choose what we want to manifest,

 
Who observes our mind?
Our consciousness. A moral compass.
How do we get into our consciousness?
Well, by being with nature, by meditation and contemplation.

- Harish Davda

November 2020.

Harish Davda works online as an Enneagram and Conscious Business Coach and Trainer. He also leads an online Meditation Group.

Harish can be contacted via email: harish.davda@gmail.com

Uncertainty and Fear

Uncertainty is not fear and fear is not uncertainty.

Fear is created by the thinking mind or thoughts. This is the work of the ego..

Uncertainty is experienced when we go with the flow with the help of presence. Presence is experienced when we are in the now. This is when we observe without judgement. If you are new to this, try this: Sit in a comfortable position, on a chair or a thick cushion, with your back straight. Close your eyes. Concentrate on your breathing. Become aware of breathing in and breathing out. Concentrate for few minutes. Now, identify the gap between breathing in and breathing out. It may only last for few seconds. What you experience is your presence. If you do this exercise often, your presence will last longer.

When we breathe consciously, with awareness, we are not thinking, our mind is not involved. The ego has no power over us. Try this out when you find yourself in a stressful or unpleasant situation: Before you become the victim of your reaction (initiated and executed by the ego), breathe deeply few times (nobody will notice!) Then respond and or take appropriate action. The chances are, you will have responded via your presence (or consciousness) instead of it being an egoic reaction.

Fear, on the other hand is either coming from the past, from the patterns created or from anticipation of  future events not turning out according to our expectations The ego might say, 'it hasn't worked in the past, you messed it up' or 'you will fail again, you have to work harder'. Listening to the 'noise' created by the ego (mind) causes stress, often felt negatively by the body with negative reactions. It can even make us ill. This is when the presence, with the help of breathing can come to the rescue. The mind begins to switch off. The presence takes over. You are in the 'now'. You are now uncertain but not controlled by the ego. You now will know what action to take, and go a little further, and will enjoy the journey to wherever you are going.

Finally...

"Presence is not some exotic state that we need to search for or manufacture. In the simplistic terms, it is felt sense of wakefulness, openness and tenderness that arises when we are fully here and now with our experience"

- Tara Brach

"That's life, starting over, one breath at a time"

- Sharon Salzberg

(c) Harish Davda 2020 

Harish Davda works online as an Enneagram and Conscious Business Coach and Trainer. He also leads an online Meditation Group.

Harish can be contacted via email: harish.davda@gmail.com

Isle of Skye, The Misty Isle - A personal Diary

If you live on Isle of Skye, and you like photography, you'll be spoilt for choice. The following are my favourite places I visited recently. Enjoy the images!

The Misty Isle

The image and atmosphere of the Misty Isle is noticed and felt in many places. One of my favourite places is Quiraing in Trotternish, an icon of Scotland. It is an amazing paradise of mindfulness. You just observe and sense the presence of the area!

A ruin near Kilwaxter, Uig, on the way to Camus More beach

I did some research but couldn’t find any information. I stopped by this amazing ruin recently and took some shots. The history of Skye grabbed me and I started to wonder what the life was like on Skye, a long time ago, and who lived there.

Uig Bay and Harbour

This is my favourite place. A gateway to the amazing Outer Hebrides to the islands of Harris, Lewes and Uist. Full of history, for example,

“It was of course just north of Uig that Bonny Prince Charlie landed in the well known “Over the sea to Skye” song. He and Flora MacDonald landed just north of Monkstadt House in Kilmuir. As there were soldiers (Redcoats) at Monkstadt House at the time looking for him, he was led by MacDonald of Kingsburgh from there down through Uig to Kingsburgh House where he spent the night.

Flora MacDonald herself died in her house at Peighinn an Duin, just to the south of Earlish, and is buried at Kilmuir just to the north of Uig. This is the Flora MacDonald memorial.” 

Source: http://www.uigisleofskye.co.uk/history

Kilt Rock

I love waterfalls! Kilt Rock is very special. Every time I go there, my imagination goes wild! This is the area where dinosaurs used to jump about millions of years ago!

Rha Falls

A hidden wonder in Uig. Amazing colours and energy, perhaps because of negative ions from the falling water. I have been there few times and it has always been quiet. Perhaps not many people know about this hidden gem. A great experience in mindfulness!

The Cullins

The first time I came to Skye, I kept seeing the mountains and rainbows. Every time I pass by the Cullins, I remember how special Skye is for me and my family.

Finally...

Scotland is about layering. The weather changes every 10 minutes. - Sam Heughan

Wherever I wander, wherever I rove; the hills of the highland for ever I love.

- Robert Burns

(c) Harish Davda 2020

Some insights into meditation

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Meditation is not about blocking the mind

or controlling thoughts. You can't.

It is not tied to any religion although in many 

spiritual traditions there has always been something 

like meditation or similar so that those following the

spiritual path can go deep within themselves and 'be 

touch with themselves.'

Meditation is not time consuming. Anything from
5 to 20 minutes, twice a day, everyday, is sufficient. 
Later on, when you begin to get into it, you will know 
how much time to spend. The main thing is that you 
follow the technique properly.

So, what is meditation? It is finding a quiet time
for yourself, preferably in the same place, away 
from any disturbance or distraction such as your 
smart phone.

Sit with a straight back, with not too much tension, 
on a chair or on Zafu (meditation cushion).

Close your eyes, take few deep breaths. Then 
concentrate on your breathing. Then just 'be'. 
If thoughts come, don't dwell on them 
(challenging in the beginning),  gently go back to 
breathing, count from one to five. Carry on for 5 to 
20 minutes. Then open your eyes. Use a gentle 
sound with the help of a timer to remind you when the
time is up. You can download an app. there are many 
to choose from. I use 'Insight timer' app which also 
has various guided meditations of various lengths; 
the basic version is free! What I have just described 
is 'mindful meditation'. It's a good way of starting to 
learn to meditate. There are other types of meditation 
as well. Keep an eye on my future blogs!

So, what are the benefits of meditation? By going 
into your inner world where your mind is least active, 
after meditation, when you come back into the outer 
world, you will gradually begin to notice some of the 
following: 
You will be relaxed and peaceful, you will

probably become deeper and begin to see some of the 
things, for example your behaviour and other people's 
behaviour clearly. You will begin to judge other people 
and events less. This will not happen overnight but 
after some serious, regular practice. You may also 

sleep better.

Sometimes negative emotions may arise during your 
meditation. By accepting these emotions, you will 
learn about its source. You will know how to deal
with them when you come back to your outer world. 
This will help you to grow. More on this in another
blog.

Drop me a line and let me know how you are getting
on with your meditation.

See my video on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YojdUKEVuVA


I love this quotation by Thich Nhat Hanh:

Photo credit: Instagram @thichnhathanhquotecollective

(c) Harish Davda - 2020
Enneagram and Conscious Business Coach/Consultant/Trainer
harish.davda@gmail.com
Instagram: @harish.davda

Empty your cup: A story - From empty mind to authentic intentions.

Photo: https://www.cleanpng.com/png-teapot-teacup-tea-party-continental-tea-410683/download-png.html

The story goes like this:

There was a Zen monk in Japan over 150 years ago.
He was well know for his teaching and instructions
on Zen Buddhist way of life and practices.

A professor in a nearby university heard about the
monk and decided to enquire about Zen practices.
He went to see the monk. The monk made some tea.
He started to pour tea in the the professor's cup.

When the tea cup was full, the monk continued to pour
the tea. The tea was overflowing and began to spill on
the table. The monk stopped pouring the tea. He looked
at the professor and said, 'You are not ready to learn and to
practice Zen Buddhism. You have many opinions
about Zen. Go empty your cup and then come back.'

The moral of the story:

If you want to do something, empty your mind,
go within, then declare your intentions with clarity.
Then start working and get the results you want.

Our inner world of our essence or consciousness
becomes so authentic that we will not worry about
superficial things in the outer world. Because we
'know' what to do!
                                ==========
“Hell, in my opinion, is never finding your true self and never living your own life or knowing who you are.”
― John Bradshaw

“The moment you become aware of the ego in you, it is strictly speaking no longer the ego, but just an old, conditioned mind-pattern. Ego implies unawareness. Awareness and ego cannot coexist.”
― Eckhart Tolle


(c) Harish Davda 2020
Enneagram Coaching and Conscious Business Consulting.
harish.davda@gmail.com
Instagram: @harish.davda

Looking Vs Observing

Photo (c) Harish Davda

(c) Harish Davda

Photo (c) Harish Davda

People often believe that looking is same as observing. It isn't.
When we look at something, a river, a mountain, people, etc,
we are coming from our egoic mind or ego with judgements,
assumptions, ideas, thoughts, interpretations and much more.

When we observe, without engaging our mind and thoughts,
we are coming from our being, essence or consciousness.
We are in the present, in the now, and feeling the presence of what
we are observing. And we are in our presence.

Decisions based on what we see may not be complete. Often we have
a vested interest, the ego is calling all the shots, for a personal gain,
even if it is to 'show off' or communicating how clever we are.
It is not a good way to connect with other people. They will sense our
ulterior motive designed by the ego.

There is nothing wrong about the mind. We have to decide
when is a good time to engage it. It is brilliant at solving problems.
At the same time, it is brilliant at creating problems.
For example, when we take a position about something
to prove others wrong or act in anger to cause suffering
for self and others.

Observing when in a relationship helps to create a bond.
We then create a deeper relationship. Perhaps become soul mates!
Observing when at work stops 'ego games' and waste of time.
The real contribution from our authenticity can then be possible,
to create an environment of peace, love and growing together.

(c) Harish Davda 2020
harish.davda@gmail.com
Instagram @harish.davda

Life in isolation

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Photo (c) Harish Davda

Life in isolation: At one level,
it appears a life of luxury.

No disturbance from the routine,

no one comes to your door to disturb.

You can sleep as long as you want,

and watch news on TV until you are
overloaded with information,
misinformation and disinformation.

You feel tired, and lose focus.

At another level, lack of routine,

takes away the purpose...daily, weekly,

monthly, yearly and long term.

You can feel lost, unmotivated, anxious,
even depressed...your freedom is gone.

You visualise life beyond Coronavirus,

of misery, poverty, struggle and effort.

Fear is working its way to your unhappiness.

My answer to isolation: To accept what's
happening, then surrender.

Have trust in human species; we are strong and
capable of overcoming anything.
We are designed to fight illness.

Keep a healthy routine...exercise, eat well.

meditate few times, everyday.

Pray for yourself and other people.

Reach out to those who need help.

Think of creative ideas, put them into practice,
to keep the mind and brain healthy,
and help the immune system to remain strong.
Coronavirus will pass. Nothing is permanent!

How are you coping with isolation?
Drop me a line.

                                  ===

"It is not impermanence which make us suffer.
What makes us suffer is wanting things to
be permanent, when they are not."
                        
- Thich Nhat Hanh
                                ===
(c) Harish Davda 2020

harish.davda@gmail.com
Instagram: @harish.davda

What is Covid 19 teaching us?

Photo: Harish Davda

Photo: Harish Davda

Photo: Harish Davda

If we can send a man to the moon,

and create miracles in science, arts,

engineering and medicine...surely,

we can prepare better for future viruses,

make sure that people do not go hungry

anywhere in the world... and everyone has

access to descent housing, water, health care and

education.

What Covid-19 is teaching us is to 'awaken'

ourselves, to reveal who we truly are, get

deep into our essence, become

selfless and reach out to those in need at

local, national and global level...because

we are all one!

Once we awaken, we will begin to change 

our broken economic, business, political

and financial systems for the benefit

of all. Not just for 1% of people who control

a high percentage of world's net wealth!

(c) Harish Davda 2020 - harish.davda@gmail.com

"If you want to change the world, you start with yourself."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Some statistics (before Covid 19 hit the world)

The world’s richest 1 percent, those with more than $1 million, own 44 percent of the world’s wealth. Their data also shows that adults with less than $10,000 in wealth make up 56.6 percent of the world’s population but hold less than 2 percent of global wealth.

Source: https://inequality.org/facts/global-inequality/#global-wealth-inequality

Of the 822 million undernourished people in the world, 113 million face acute hunger meaning they are in urgent need of food and nutrients.

Source: https://www.theworldcounts.com/

Approximately 3.1 million children die from undernutrition each year (UNICEF, 2018a). Hunger and undernutrition contribute to more than half of global child deaths, as undernutrition can make children more vulnerable to illness and exacerbate disease (UNICEF, 2018a).

“For the world’s hungry and undernourished people, climate change is an increasingly relevant threat multiplier”.

- Global Hunger Index.

My power: affirmations for 7 energy centres

Image: (c) Harish Davda 2020.

The following words are based on the 7 chakras or energy points which we all have in our body and are influenced by them. The 7th chakra is above our head and does not occupy the body.

(1 - Base chakra)
My strength come from the wisdom

And will of my ancestors

Who not only nurtured me

But also prepared me for my life

With their love and blessings.

(2 - Sacral chakra)

My strength comes from my survival instinct

And will to stand on my feet

To be creative, to produce

To be responsible

And protect myself and my family.

(3 - Solar Plexis chakra)

My strength comes from being wilful,

To be strong, courageous

And contribute to the world

Based on what I have learnt

And leave a lasting legacy.

(4- Heart chakra)

My strength comes from my heart

I care, I'm compassionate,

I'm learning to give unconditionally,

At the same time, my heart is intelligent

And helps me to listen to my inner being.

( 5 - The throat chakra)

My strength comes from my voice,

I speak with authority and authenticity

I listen attentively and without judgement

I see with my eyes and my ears

And respond purposefully.

 (6 - The third eye chakra)

My strength comes from my wisdom

Collected from this life and many more

Which let's me experience things

Beyond my mind and feelings

To bring harmony in what I do.

(7 - Crown chakra)

Finally, my strength comes from a source

Outside of this world, and universe.

I have a feeling, and I know

Why I'm here, where I'm going

And what I need to do.

Meditating on the seven energy points/chakras and using the above affirmation for each chakra is a good way of attaining strength and balance in our body and beyond.

(c) Harish Davda 2020

Instagram: @harish.davda

harish.davda@gmail.com

Power of discomfort

The first reaction to discomfort

is to run away from it, to feel safe.

Often, there is no safer place

than where you are now. Stay put. Observe.

Experience your power within.

If you recognise a pattern of over-eating,

observe yourself, see the effects on yourself.

Identify healthy choices. Take action gently

to become healthier, however discomforting.

Enjoy the results. Experience your power.

If you experience difficulties in a relationship,

at work, in business, with friends and family,

look beyond your conditioning.

Identify causes. Take a decision. Act.

Feel your discomfort. Experience your power.

Real power is what you do with yourself,

How you grow and change to who you really are.

People around you will then change

or leave you alone 'cause they are not ready.

Be the change. Experience your power.

Experiencing discomfort takes you deeper

into your inner self.  To connect to your essence.

Beyond the automaton-like behaviour.

That is where real freedom, liberation, is.

Buddha knew this. He experienced his power.

Finally, feel the fear, experience the discomfort,
Prepare, plan, take calculated risks.
Feel your adrenalin, do it. Experience your power,
For greater things to come in future...

The video above is a good example of how Simon and his friend Dave successfully completed their adventure and gained power from their fear and discomfort.

Video credit: Simon Riddell, Photographer.
www.simonriddell.co.uk




(c) Harish Davda 2020

harish.davda@gmail.com

Observe...and grow!

This blog is not about Gautama Buddha or amazing views on Isle of sky  It is about observing, learning and growing.

In my long career as Management Development Trainer and Coach, I have always been interested in how people grow and create greater happiness for themselves and other people.

We all have habits, some of which we have formed for a long time. Some habits, eg, being tidy and organised, work for us. Other habits may be working against us...it can cause difficulties in our relationship with other people, it can even ruin our career or stop us in recognising new opportunities. 

So, what about observing ourselves? In your behaviour, begin to observe yourself. For example:

- do you get angry easily?

- are you controlling?

- do you listen to other people?

- do you talk too much?

- are you always competitive?
- do you aimlessly do things to get a buzz?

The next step is to observe what effect you are having on other people, and

yourself.

When you see and understand this, you will be motivated to change some of the behaviour which is dysfunctional. You will then begin to change your behaviour by changing your habits. For example, by listening more to other people, your relationship with other people will improve. You may even advance your career and get paid what you deserve.

It's amazing how your life changes when you change. You may access your 'inner world' beyond your ego. More on this in a new blog soon!

As Gandhi said,

Be the change you want to see in this world.

And, as Socrates said,

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy,
not on fighting the old but on building the new.

(c) Harish davda 2020

harish.davda@gmail.com
Instagram: @harish.davda

This or that: duality or breaking into freedom?

On a cloudy and rainy day.

Calmness after the storm.

Late afternoon.

On a sunny day, nearly.

Look at the above photos taken on different days, in different weather conditions. Photography students and those interested in photography will go to town in analysing the photos and select the best one. This will be justified if it was part of their assignment and they were learning photography skills.

In our day-to-day life, we are hard wired to judge, mostly through our mind. The hard wiring has happened in the past. So, many of our judgements, assessments, and preferences are based in the past. And, through the judgements, we go into the future. No wonder we often feel powerless. The 'outer' world does not serve us much. We often remain unsatisfied, disappointed, and lacking in freedom. Welcome to the world of duality!

So, what is non-dualistic thinking or awareness?  See the explanation below:

Source: http://www.zenthinking.net

How do we get there? Well, I don't have many answers, except that we need to be in the present, in the now. I'm still scratching the surface. Being mindful, experiencing our presence, is a good start. This is the reflection of our 'inner' world. Regular practice of mindfulness and meditation is a good start to release ourselves of the past and our judgemental character. 

In the now, we experience our presence powerfully. There are infinite possibilities which we are able to see. The past is dissolved. We feel free. In this state, positive thoughts will unwire our brain of past negative thinking, even trauma. We begin to live. We begin to create happiness for ourselves and all around us. 

My deep namaste!

(c) Harish Davda 2020

Insta: @harish.davda

harish.davda@gmail.com