The Beatles - Let It Be - HD

This is a wonderful song that comforts my soul. Inspired by the words of wisdom. The Beatles - Let It Be

Enjoy!

Laura's Takeaway on Leadership

As part of the Columbia Business School Alumni Club of New York's Distinguished Leadership Committee, our team has created a series of talks and workshops on leadership for 2013 and beyond. Our successful kick-off event was with leadership consultant Michael Feiner and former professor at Columbia Business School. I'd highly recommend his book The Feiner Points of Leadership as the topic of leadership is complicated. 

There is a differentiation between leadership and management yet to be a leader, one needs to know how to manage people and every leader has a different style depending on the type of company he or she is running, or country or even a religion or philosophy like the Dalai Lama. Leaders implement visions like Feiner's law of "Building a Cathedral" - meaning convince your people that they're building a cathedral, not cutting stone. I believe this metaphor has also been used in Buddhism.  Hence, convincing people to build a cathedral also depends on the art of collaboration which leads us to our next speaker.

Sarah Miller Caldicott, the great grandniece of Thomas Edison, will give a keynote address on "Leading Innovative Teams" through collaborative methods. Sarah is an innovative expert, award winning speaker and trainer who has expanded Edison's paradigm of world-changing innovation and collaboration methods into the twenty-first century.  We're very excited about her upcoming talk on April 23rd. For more information, click on the Columbia Business School Alumni Club of New York link above. 

In short, collaboration is a vital part of the innovation process. Leaders need to leverage the diversity of strengths and information their teams bring to the table in addition to teamwork where everyone has a part to play.  We're truly looking forward to learning more about this superskill "collaboration" as a force for innovation in creating new products, services, companies, industries and who knows maybe even new philosophies and paradigms for peaceful co-existence in the world.

In summary, these leadership talks' series provide a real opportunity to learn and grow professionally as well as provide tools to enhance your personal life. 

That's Laura's brief takeaway on leadership development! 

2012 Revelations

On December 21, 2012, some people were waiting for the planet's end, others for the birth of an era marked by the end of the Mayan calendar.  For those who were curious, they visited the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico during 2012 to find the Mexicans of Mayan descent in a celebratory mood. We're still here after all and experiencing changes on a global level that is shifting our thinking patterns, to come up with new solutions to tackle old problems.  With destruction comes resurrection.  Destruction is difficult and hard on many people yet with the right attitude, it can create a path towards a better life.

My own life over the past two years has been marked by both tragedies and joyful occasions--the main reason for my abandoning my Blog for awhile.  Yet life seems to balance itself out. Although, I've lost dear friends and mourned, I've also been blessed with beautiful friends with whom I've shared many wonderful events.  With some, I've travelled to exotic places, such as, the Backwaters of Kerala in India, the UNESCO Heritage sites in Nepal, and even, the volcano and lush tropical paradise on the Big Island of Hawa'ii.  MAHALO!  I have to admit that I learn and grow by visiting other parts of the world outside my native Manhattan residence; especially, being in the company of great people as these precious experiences truly nourish my spirit.

Nepali Prayer Flags in Kathmandu

Going forward into 2013, Lucky 13, I hope that the world learns to solve its problems intelligently and peacefully and I wish peace, progress and happiness to all! 

Let's live our lives with joy, passion and purpose!

Celebrate the Spirit of Christmas

'Tis the time to celebrate the spirit of Christmas no matter what race, creed or religion you adhere to. It's a time of giving and receiving gifts and sharing memorable moments with acquaintances, colleagues, pals, friends and family.

Remember to have compassion for those who cross your path because you may not be aware of their woes or worries. Remember to forgive those who are so self-absorbed in their own personal dramas that they forget to ask how you are feeling. 'Tis the nature of some people but as this is the holiday season, let's celebrate the goodness that can emanate from human nature.

Now, let light and love and joy enter your life.

Namaste!

Observations of China

On my recent trip to China what impressed me most was its modernization and consumerism that has been in development since the past 15 years. Its growth has been phenomenal and recognized by the media, business and world political leaders. Even more interesting is China’s ruling Communist Party development plan for the economy (2011-2015) that will address strategies on how to decrease the inequalities between the rich and poor and coastal and inland areas because the leaders are aware of social unrest if these disparities are not addressed, and also political reform may be on their agenda to focus on democracy and freedom. The Communist Party wants to deal with any instability issues as it would undermine their remarkable economic growth. China doesn’t want to follow the example of the former Soviet Union that disintegrated the former Soviet Union into Russia and many smaller states. It is my belief that the leaders of China want to keep their country intact by pragmatic leadership and steady economic development.

Granted, I climbed the Great Wall, visited the historic sites and contemporary art districts in both Beijing and Shanghai, and even received VIP treatment at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 thanks to a friend of mine who is a dignitary that allowed us to see the China Pavilion without a five hour queue which was very impressive but in the end what made my journey memorable were the people I traveled with, the people I met and the stories that I heard about China past, present and future.

For further information about the World Expo, visit: http://en.expo2010.cn

Khajuraho, Ancient City of Erotic Temples

Varanasi may be the present City of Shiva (Shivpuri), but Khajuraho was also once known as Shivpuri, the city that celebrated the marriage of Shiva, goddess of creative and destructive energy, to Parvati as depicted by intricately carved erotic temples now dedicated as a World Heritage site. India is an ancient civilization resplendent with many myths and the birthplace of many religions that have been transported across the world. It’s a fascinating country filled with unending stories.

In Khajuraho, these temples were discovered in a dense jungle by a British engineer in 1819 and upon excavation and research; it was revealed that the creators of these remarkable temples were the legacy of the Chandella dynasty of Rajput origin during the 10th and 11th centuries.

Although the temples are renowned for the eroticism of its sculptures, there are many other sculptural scenes depicting Buddhism, Jainism, sun worship and animistic cults. In fact, the best time to visit these temples is at sunrise and sunset which magnifies a soft, reddish hue of light bathe the sculpted figures and friezes. It’s recommended to take some time and look carefully at the carvings of the marriage processions, domestic scenes of the deities, along with musicians and dancers celebrating life.

According to Hindu legend, in order to reach the celestial realm or nirvana, or the highest spiritual experience, it is done through utilizing all the senses during lovemaking physically, mentally and spiritually. At these temples, one witnesses Kama, the pursuit of pleasure, by the union of the divine Shiva and Parvati illustrating the importance of the creation of life. The pursuit of pleasure to seek deliverance was considered a legitimate aim then and now.

Perhaps the overarching message of this visit is quite simple: Make love not war!

Varanasi, India

From the Buddha trail to Varanasi, the holiest city in India for the Hindus; a trip not for the faint of heart to say the least. I was extremely fortunate to have a Brahman priest as my government approved local guide who also happens to be the spiritual guru for Goldie Hawn, Heidi Klum and Seal. Dr. Shailesh Tripathi introduced me to Varanasi not as a city of beauty but to feel it with all five senses. With an open-mind, I explored this ancient living city as old as Babylon.

In Varanasi, life flows around the Ganga (Ganges) River physically and spiritually. The Hindus try to make a pilgrimage to this river at least once in their lifetime to purify their spirits either by bathing in the waters or sprinkling a few droplets of water on the head while chanting a prayer. The Brahman priest did this for me while a boatman rowed an old, wooden boat down the river. According to this ritual, the waters clear the karma of the past and present so one is prepared for death and rebirth into a better life. Although I'm not a Hindu, Indians are open-minded and say it can apply to anyone of any faith and even those who are agnostic. Hopefully, from now on my life will be better and I'm most grateful to have participated in this ancient practice of the Hindu religion.

As mentioned earlier, this city is primarily for Hindu pilgrims. I would suggest sticking to boat rides at sunrise and sunset to experience the Brahman priests, gurus, yogis welcoming the day with music and prayer beneath the high walls of the maharajas' old, riverside palaces, and also the notice the numerous ghats where the the faithful Hindus bathe and pray (see photo). And, every evening at sunset, watch the beautiful, Hindu ceremony Ganga Arati dedicated to the river and performed by priests with music, incense, chanting and fire.

Despite the magic and mystery behind these Hindu rituals, as a Westerner and a non-Hindu pilgrim, I would avoid walking through the narrow alleys in the heart of the city directly behind the ghats that are marked by smelly, cow dung everywhere as the cow is considered holy. If you do decide to venture dwon these filthy streets off the beaten path, then watch your step! Again, this is not an easy city to visit and I would recommend visiting the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) first, but once you feel or think you're ready for your own spiritual pilgrimage, then Varanasi may become one of the most memorable places you've ever visited during your worldwide travels.