I often find that in my work as an Executive Coach, I meet people at the crossroads of Psychology and Philosophy. Nosce Teipsum, know thyself, has been a theme spoken about throughout history. It finds itself in Asian and Western Philosophy and religion, as well as the more research based worlds of academia and psychology. It goes back in Taoist texts, Vedic literature, popular psychology, Christian writings and has more recently been linked to neuroscience and well-being. Organizations world over are making a more concerted effort to invest in Leadership Development that focuses on strengthening self-awareness as it has been proven to be a critical success factor in leader’s effectiveness. The business of shifting people’s consciousness is here to stay.
So why do we need to focus on this knowing ourselves? Am I saying we are completely devoid of it now? No, but I do think it plays in the fringe of most of our lives and I am talking about it occupying centre stage. Is this some new age alternate way to living and running away from “reality?” No… I am talking about defining a new reality. I am saying that this connection with our consciousness needs to be integrated into our daily lives and not reserved to some retreats or “breaks” that we take in some centre, ashram, course or coaching conversation. Not to take away from any of these experiences as I personally believe they have served us very well in jolting our consciousness to making us more aware. But I often hear that once we are back to “reality” we slip back into old patterns and routines and these “consciousness retreats” become an exception to our lives even though we crave the experience they give us.
I find that when we connect with this consciousness, we feel more awake and connected with ourselves and others. It always leads to more “success” in the physical world but thats just a by product. When the attachment, inquiry and day to day pre-occupation is with this consciousness – understanding it, pursuing it like we’re madly in love with it and allowing it to be the primary driver of life – I am hearing my clients say they are feeling more connected, more in their flow, lighter, more at peace and with a greater sense of balance and perspective, all leading to significant leadership advantage.
Now, this is not to say that we all need to stop pursuing our dreams. I am just asking if we can better integrate our physical work experiences with our deeper quest for meaning and purpose? Can we, as a collective, make it more acceptable for people to make trade-offs to enable better integration and not consider success from a narrow lens? Can we start recognising this integration as success? Can we start looking at role models that better represent this version of success? Or to dinner table conversations that teach our children the pursuit of this connection with one’s consciousness?
So I offer this. Be not afraid to connect with your consciousness as a Coach or as a Client. Be not afraid for what it will reveal to you. Be bold to walk into in, welcome it and thrive in it. Come and play your part in this “consciousness fest”… an attempt to give a little more permanence to our desired changes; to connecting with our own and others inner architecture and living and leading consciously…