Not an easy path

Photo: (c) Harish Davda

Photo: (c) Harish Davda

Photo: (c) Harish Davda

When we embark on a personal growth journey,

The path is never that straight forward,

Some days we feel aware and connected,

With everyone and everything around us.

Other days, we feel constricted and frustrated.

The thing is, it is all a learning experience,

Constancy in our journey is important,

Whether through prayers, meditation or other means, 

To remain motivated and grow,

At our own pace. 🙏

Harish Davda works as an Enneagram and Conscious Business Coach and Trainer. He also leads a weekly online Meditation Group. He can be contacted via email:

harish.davda@gmail.com

Facebook and Instagram: @harishdavdacoach

(C) Harish Davda 2021

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

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