Handing Down the Torch

How do we ensure that any work that we do does not go to waste? How do we ensure that we do not become so attached to our work, that we cannot let it go and grow? The answer is to have an exit strategy to whatever work we do with a time frame in which we will exit from that work. This will have two benefits:

1) The karyekarta then has a time period in which he must be as productive as he possibly can be!

2) The karyekarta does not have the opportunity to build an ego (and this will naturally happen if the karyekarta is left in one position for long enough).

However, it is not called an exit strategy if it does not allow somebody else to carry on the work – then it is only an annihilation strategy as all the work done previously will be undone without somebody to look after it. I have noticed that recently, our karyekartas look to uplift their shakhas for the time period they are there but then do not plan for what happens next. Our shakhas may have a glorious two years with incredible sankhyas and bauddhiks under one Mukhya Shikshak and then a lousy 4 years because we forgot to train up new karyekartas in those first two years and in that we forget our aim in shakha.

In SIP one thing I have understood is that unless I plan for the “what happens next?” question then all my work from these 7 weeks will be worthless. And so, I have simply allocated the last week and half of SIP to ensure that my project has a sustainable future.

I believe that this is something that should be emphasised to all karyekartas, because unless we plan far enough into the future, that future will be on our doorstep and we will be left caught of guard and unprepared. As soon as we are appointed to any position within Sangh, we should create an exit strategy in which we try to contemplate how that work will carry on working after we have left, so that throughout that time period we are able to focus on two things:

1) Maximising the time that we have to do the most work for the organisation

2) Finding and training people and deriving methods through which the work can become sustainable so that in the long term, we can carry on going from strength to strength.

I truly believe that those of us that are good organisers set goals for the time period that we are there, but the best organisers look to answer the question “What happens after I’ve done by bit?”

Because it’s easier for me…

Recently I went to an event called The Hindu Experience. The event was split into seven sections, throughout the day I visited the majority of them, but I came out of one of them questioning human nature – questioning what makes us tick, as human beings. This was the earth zone. I watched a video on the importance of buying organic and “cruelty-free” milk, and I wondered why up until now, have I and many others been buying the standard conventional milk? Is it because of ignorance? Is it due to my own self-interests? I know one thing for sure; the reason why I’m attracted to the conventional milk is because it’s cheaper.

Yes I know, it may be a poor excuse but it’s symptomatic of the world we live in. But this is more than just ignorance, or wanting to spend less at the supermarket. It’s because people tend to blindly follow what they think gives them the biggest advantage. (Actually, buying organic milk is at a bigger advantage to the consumer, than saving 40 odd pence.)

So, this human nature that I speak of, what is it really? Human nature dictates similarities in the character of all people, which mean that we act a certain way in a given situation. Human nature can be best explained by gang mentality. If one person does something, others feel inclined to follow. This is how groups and followings are formed and one voice becomes the echo of a thousand voices. Gandhi’s fight for freedom was successful because he managed to spread his word of peace across India and others felt inclined to join him. However it is not always used for ‘good’. People do what they see others do, or what may be best for them. Big companies choose not to share business with smaller companies because they know that they will lose out as a result. Therefore we are led into situations where monopolies exist, with the majority of the wealth in the hands of the minority.

Another example is our efforts to “do our bit for reducing climate change”. A lot of people talk of reducing waste, and recycling. However those same people still drive the car for 10 minutes to get on the treadmill at the gym. Do many of us actually consider the effects of climate change before any of our actions? Not really, I understand that it is just a nuisance sometimes control everything that you do. Except that is just it. We like to do things that are easy for us, like throwing our paper-based waste in one bin, and plastic in another, and then some then proclaim “We are green people!” But do we do things other than that, which matter just as much. Like using less petrol and walking/cycling.

We sometimes are naturally inclined to doing things that give immediate personal benefit, but never stop to think about long-term benefits to themselves and society. We must try to do things that don’t immediately give us pleasure, especially when it is or will be detrimental to other living beings. It is important that we take a calm and collected look at reality and the truth before we make our decisions, because too often equality and a better tomorrow are sacrificed for an easier today. It is the actions that we take now, rather than tomorrow that will reap in the future.

The best laptop just isn't good enough anymore...

Recently, I read the Amar Bharati book on Bahubali, and its immediate impact lead me to realise that the desire to obtain material possessions (Kama) can never be satisfied. I look my past and think, “was I ever entirely happy with whatever I got?” The truth is no.

I remember, at the age of about 6, my pitaji gave me a remote control car and I was ecstatic; over the moon. However, then a week or two passed by and I had forgotten about it. The enthusiasm to play with my toy car had faded and then I wanted the new “Playstation” that had come out! I had a new desire.

And people may say, “Well I’m older now. I have no need to buy all these toys and spoil myself because I am careful with my money.” However, I want to ask you this. How many of you know about the new iphone 4 and how it has a high-resolution screen? How many of you look at the ipad and think, “I need that,” but have no reason to need one.

We all desire something in this world and I do not blame you. We live in a commercial driven market and the producers are literally telling us what we need and we do not. And once we have bought that product, our desires will grow, and soon the best laptop in the world just isn’t good enough anymore.

However, through SIP, I have felt happiness. It was actually on the very first day of the Abhyaas Varg. I’m sure many of you may already know this, but we were thrown into the deep end with SIP. After getting picked up from the station, I was immediately dropped off at somebody’s house, only to find out that this person has a severe learning difficulty. And yet, through those 5 hours, I was able to connect with him, and help him on his way to finding a job, and when he realised his potential, I felt incredible, and not because I have gotten praise for any of it, but because he felt as though he has a place in this world, and I was truly happy for him.

Service to the samaj and the world, is actually what has made me happy over the last two weeks because I feel as though I have a purpose in life, and that isn’t just to go to university, get a job and sit behind a desk all my life.

I encourage all of you readers, to get away from the material possessions you have and give service to those around you, because that is what will truly give you happiness.

A False Sense of Grandeur

I have no idea how many people know we in SIP write these blogs, neither do i know how many people read them. However it does not change what the truth of the matter is but it would be nice if people took the time to see the flip side.

In the last blog i asked "what are we doing?" the question is an idealistic question, the foresight to know what the end game is. Can not help feel like a solider in a war either a bullet or retreat command could end the game. For Swaymsevaks we have no such game plan it's more about "making a difference" and we take the stance we'll hold the ground till the jobs done. Forgetting to ask WHAT'S THE JOB?. Bog standard answer are Unite something or other, again with the vague agenda we can use an active imagination to fill in the gaps.

Im not going to dwell on the issue too much a) it's a waste of time and b) Im more likely to see a pig fly before i hear an answer that would satisfy me or even stand up to further questioning. I had the pleasure of having Swami Ramdev-ji's company about a week ago in a private meeting quietly observing i saw something that amused me. The "older" people who were handling him lost their composure and brought their families in to see him and get blessings whilst the "much" younger of the group were left thinking "why didn't i do that" and speaking to them afterwards, The sentiments of So what? my family is more important came across.

Now I'm sure like many are wondering what's the moral behind the story? in truth there Isn't a moral behind it. There is only the sad truth that swaymsevaks are like that with a custom built False Sense of Grandeur. Seeing the old, young sick and healthy man handle this poor swami from India (after he had given a 2 hour yoga session) i couldn't help think that can't they see that he does get tired and he does need his own space. Swami Ramdevji restored order quite quickly and the discussion resumed it only became clear once i saw an Interview he did with Hindu Voice Uk [ref 1] how deeply he knew and understood the Indian Pysche.

The lack of discipline for those who can't be bother to sit through the interview is a major and systematic problem, i'am not exempt from this i have my moments to but the question is how many of us are willing to admit it. I have no idea how many people know we in SIP write these blogs, neither do i know how many people read them. However it does not change what the truth of the matter is but it would be nice if people took the time to see the flip side.

[ref1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Znl8xd5Ow

A Goal without a Plan is just a Wish

What is the difference between a goal and a wish? Wishes are things that you want to have, for example a slim red Ferrari, a large house, or the latest mobile phone. Wishes are also things you want to experience, such as wanting to climb Mount Everest, or go scuba diving. Wishes are also intentions. Such as “I want lots of money” or “I want to be happy”. These are vague intentions that could mean different things in different perspectives. However at this stage you have not committed yourself to take any steps to achieve that wish.

During Abhyas Varg One, I realised and experienced an important value that would help me during my SIP and in the future. This was the ability to convert wishes into goals. I was presenting my ideas for a plan on a way to execute my SIP project when it suddenly became evident than my “plan” was not really a plan. As it was not concise, thorough and evident that a clear time-plan was missing…

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This quote, from the French writer (1900 - 1944), would mean that my initial objectives were in the “wish” category rather than the “goal” category. The way to convert a wish into a goal was by having a clear, detailed plan. This could involve setting a series of “mini goals” that act as steps to the end result. Before I set my goals, I had to make sure I picked specific mile stones along the way, that would be realistic to achieve, and not just ones that I hope to reach. Then, to make sure I was ARM’D with something achievable, there were four things I had to ask myself:

1. Actionable- Am I honestly able to take the actions necessary to impact the outcome?

2. Realistic-Can this actually be achieved? In the boundaries I am in?

3. Measurable-Have I identified specific criteria against which progress can be impartially measured?

4. Deadlined-Do you have a specific date by which it is to be accomplished?

Goals are wishes that are attainable, quantifiable and that you’ve committed to actually achieving. You may wish you had that Ferrari or “lots of money”, and would be very happy if you won it. However if it isn’t something you are actively taking steps to pursue, it’s not a goal, but merely a wish.

Have you done anything selfless lately?

On 11^th July, my parents had held a havan yagna in celebration of Nandini’s and my 18^th birthday and regularly, it was mentioned that I have an obligation to serve three groups of people selflessly:

1) My parents because they have brought me into this world and have unconditionally loved me throughout the last 18 years of my life.

2) My family because they too have loved me unconditionally throughout the 18 years of my life and have been the backbone of all my successes.

3) My samaj because without the samaj, I could not have had the opportunities that I have had up to now.

And then my thoughts went immediately to 2 occasions. One was our first Abhyaas Varg in Leicester and the other was an episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, within both of which was discussed this idea of selflessness. In F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Phoebe constantly tried to prove Joey wrong, sure of the fact that there are selfless good deeds. Towards the end of the episode we seem unconvinced of her point, as all her attempts spark good feelings inside her which must mean that these deeds have benefitted her in some way and hence are not selfless!

However, at the Abhyaas Varg, we made a slightly different conclusion. This was because we looked at selflessness in a different light. We started with a scenario much like prisoner’s dilemma and we found that every time we played, we would act out of self-interest. This actually lead to everybody, including ourselves finishing worse off than if we had all co-operated and found a solution together. Hence, we were working selfishly. However, if we had worked together, and acted out of the interest of everybody else, everybody would have been better off and this would have still been selfless work, because even though we benefit from our action, our thoughts go out to the samaj first. We concluded that self-interest would always be there but does this mean that a deed is not selfless? What does selfless mean?

A selfless deed is one in which those around you benefit more than you do from carrying out the deed. You are effectively outputting more benefits than you are receiving.

And so, after the havan, I introspected, and asked myself, have I done anything selfless lately? Finding it difficult to say that I had, I immediately wanted to remedy that! I shall not say what I have done because I do not want praise for my deed but ever since, I have vowed that I will commit one selfless good deed at least once a day, so that when I ask myself, “have I done anything selfless lately” I can always answer “yes, actually, I have.” Now I would like to ask you, the reader, “have you done anything selfless lately?” If not, then fix it!

Something Else

A Shakha is composed of three main facets, Khel, Shariek and Baudhik. A balance between these is aimed to provide a comprehensive and well rounded foundation for the individual swaymsevak to take further and benefit those around them. George Bernard Shaw once said that our ideals, like the gods of old, are constantly demanding human sacrifices, the ideals that are taught in Shakha require sacrifice as well, however a point of difference being these are for the individual to decide based on their individual conviction and understanding of themselves and environment.

The Object Relations theory was born from child psychology with Dr. Winnicott, a pediatrician himself being influtuational force. The theory states that a child's first ‘not me possession’ an object that child cannot bare to be without. The possession is given acceptance and validation from social spheres.

The theory describes the process of the developing mind, as a child grows with an object like a teddy bear or a blanket. Object relationships are initially formed during early interactions with care givers. These early patterns can be altered with experience, but often continue to exert a strong influence throughout life. In context the relationship with god or spirituality is an individual or group’s attachment or affiliation. Whilst the belief is subjective the acceptance is objective creating an intermediate area of experiencing.

Like the object being accepted so is an individuals affiliation to a religious tradition or an experience it can be viewed objectively and subjectively, the relationship is formed through initial interaction and given time and faith, strengthened through experience. Like the child crying when the object that it has grown attached to is taken away, an individual would exhibit a simliar emotional response when certain truths are scrutinized. The perception being their understanding of the truth and the environment is not what they have come to see, feel and understand.

This can be said for Swaymsevaks as individuals and ambassadors, people do not seem to realize that an opinion of the world is also a confession of character. As individuals within an organisation and as individuals who function external to the organisation a simple question has to be asked, what we are doing? A question often asked of us is when do we stop being Swaymsevaks? Those of who prescribe to the ideals of Sangh surely must live it, breathe it and experience it?. What are we doing? Either as a group or individuals is inseparable from the pursuit of ideals and the purpose of Sangh.

To keep an aim in sight and within reach be it as individuals or as a collective unit, is relatively easy. Losing the ‘why’ however is more of a concern. It leads to sense of bewilderment a state of mind where efficiency and productive come to halt. The obvious answer that overcomes this by binding the work conducted with simple, pragmatic and achievable aims tied into a long term vision. Rather than focusing on the same vision of Sangh and working to the same beat. Honest Questions Require Honest Answers! A little bit of introspection never hurt anyone. Those who are of the Sangh fold and read this should ask what am I doing?

Abhyas Varg One- Breaking the Ice?

Finally, the last of my a-level exams were completed, and after a short-period of celebrations, on came the much-awaited beginning of the Sangh Internship Programme (SIP) 2010. Like the other two participants, I was going there hoping for an ease into the first Abhyas Varg, a “classic” introduction to a program, that would involve ice-breakers and motivational speeches. Instead, we were welcomed with a sheet of paper, addressing each one of us personally, informing us of vague but specific orders. The orders were of similar nature, but also totally different. For example, my sheet read “Namaste Raghav, go to 49 gipsy lane and meet Gernal Singh Rana.”

On arrival, it was clear that the person I was going to meet would be a prominent person at a local Gurudwara. And after a few minutes of searching it was apparent that he was not there! Leaving me in a confusing situation, after while, I took some initiative to do some sewa, which I was just as willing to do. After a couple of hours, Gernal Singh Rana did arrive, and I was able to learn about the history of the gurudwara and about his efforts to improve the standard of the temple.

The session was there to see what we would do in the time we were allotted. Would we; be constructive, be pro-active, think and do more? We were put in a situation, where we were in control of our session. We could decide how efficiently we spent that time given to us. Being able to do this, successfully, is important because we shouldn’t have to be micromanaged every hour of our day. During the 7 week SIP, only we are in control of our day-to-day activities. By having the ability to be independent and make good choices on our own, we are able achieve much more.

Motivation - will we trip and fall?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc

This video is incredibly useful in understanding the psyche of motivation when it comes to any organisation, however, this applies in particular, to Sangh.

At the first SIP Abhyaas Varg, we had a communcations exercise, and the majority of us had great difficulty in trying to convince an outsider what our objective was. This is how the conversation (summarised) went:

"What is you aim in Sangh?"

"to unite and strengthen the world.."

"But that is looking very far into the future. We do not have a time scale for this and so I cannot comprehend this. So what are you going to do before that?"

"Strengthen the Hindu samaj so that we can be heard."

"Even that statement does not have a timescale because we do not know how long this will take. We do not even know if it is possible!"

The point of this conversation, was that these visions cannot tell us what our next steps are in progressing towards them. Our answers are always to strengthen the world or the Hindu samaj, and yet these are so distant that the majority of our swayemsevaks cannot comprehend them. We cannot see a united world because it is so far into the future. And so we must set reasonable, short term goals in line with that end goal because Sangh is an organisation which requires "rudimentary, cognitive thinking" amongst its workers.

We have mastered mastery; we want to become the best in every field but now we must put our skills into use and this is what SIP has done. SIP has given the participants a short term goal with a specific time period (7 weeks) which is in line with the long term goal. This then allows us to set weekly or even daily goals and suddenly we have purpose to our everyday actions and this creates motivation! Motivation that allows us to drive these projects to their end goals and eventually Sangh to its end goal.

However, this must not be mistaken for the removal of our long term goal. Our long term goal ensures that we continue to move in the right direction; a bit like a compass. With that compass, I will know where my destination lies, but if I do not look at where I am going in the short-term, I could trip and fall.