SandeepAmar Guppta

As we are progressing further into the 21st century, two realities are increasingly staring at us: the first being the “changing worldview” from scientism driven materialism to open-minded spiritualism, and the second being the looming “threat of war over the 21st century”. The former represents the growing realization that consciousness is the fundamental foundation of both mind and spirit which have a reality comparable to material objects (Renesch, 1991); and the latter stems from the… Show more

As we are progressing further into the 21st century, two realities are increasingly staring at us: the first being the “changing worldview” from scientism driven materialism to open-minded spiritualism, and the second being the looming “threat of war over the 21st century”. The former represents the growing realization that consciousness is the fundamental foundation of both mind and spirit which have a reality comparable to material objects (Renesch, 1991); and the latter stems from the various battles being fought across the globe in the name of ideology and religion threatening to culminate in a fully-fledged World War III, and make the planet inhabitable for all life forms. In this chapter, we first show that war is not an innate human tendency, and then establish that by elevation of the consciousness levels, that the threat vectors responsible for war can be contained. This is based on the truism that humans are the creators of their own reality (values, assumptions, principles) and that appropriate elevation of consciousness helps in enhancing collaborative solutions for fostering societal consciousness, thus leading to an evolutionary process, which in turn establishes long-term peace and saves the world from gross destruction and loss caused by war. Show less

Since the late 1900s the business world has been under increasing pressure to demonstrate responsible social behaviour and the pressure continues to grow. Today, the role of business in society is on the Boardroom agenda and at stake are corporate reputation, innovation, competitiveness and growth. It is a clarion call, that either, the CEO and the Board manage it or someone else will manage it for them. As we know that we cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created… Show more

Since the late 1900s the business world has been under increasing pressure to demonstrate responsible social behaviour and the pressure continues to grow. Today, the role of business in society is on the Boardroom agenda and at stake are corporate reputation, innovation, competitiveness and growth. It is a clarion call, that either, the CEO and the Board manage it or someone else will manage it for them. As we know that we cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them; therefore it is imperative that we look beyond the 20th century’s scientism and materialism dominated worldly ways for solutions. In view of the above, I believe that the ‘Indian Philosophy of Consciousness’ which focuses on practicing “better-worldliness” rather than “worldliness” and has developed over the past 4000 years has the potential to help business. Better worldliness is ‘a disposition towards life that is based on a Dharmic(righteous) way of conduct; a conduct with compassion and forbearance for fellow man, no matter what the nationality, or the colour of the skin, religion or caste.’ Society expects similar compassion and forbearance from business.
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‘Unity in Diversity’ or ‘United in Diversity’ is the concept of "unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation". It is a natural complex mechanism of unity based on mutuality and interdependence between – (1) the various components of nature, (2) nature and man, and (3) man and man. It is the key to all human survival, evolution and growth of mankind, which unfortunately got ignored at the altar of modern science in the last 200 years. This has led to numerous challenges before… Show more

‘Unity in Diversity’ or ‘United in Diversity’ is the concept of "unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation". It is a natural complex mechanism of unity based on mutuality and interdependence between – (1) the various components of nature, (2) nature and man, and (3) man and man. It is the key to all human survival, evolution and growth of mankind, which unfortunately got ignored at the altar of modern science in the last 200 years. This has led to numerous challenges before the world, the solution to which rests in developing the ability to see, think and act holistically. The paper draws from the Indian thought and highlights that by walking the path of self-awareness, how values and orientation will change and bring back the lost importance of ‘Unity in Diversity’ in thought and action. Show less

“Crisis” can be defined as a situation that is not conducive to human welfare. It can be either manmade or an act of nature. Acts of nature are beyond the control of man, whereas manmade crisis is controllable and reversible. If we let go of our modern scientific notions about the creation (macrocosm) and man, we find that the macrocosm is much larger than as perceived by science.

It is a well-organized closed system having different dimensions, and man, a microcosm of the macrocosm, an… Show more

“Crisis” can be defined as a situation that is not conducive to human welfare. It can be either manmade or an act of nature. Acts of nature are beyond the control of man, whereas manmade crisis is controllable and reversible. If we let go of our modern scientific notions about the creation (macrocosm) and man, we find that the macrocosm is much larger than as perceived by science.

It is a well-organized closed system having different dimensions, and man, a microcosm of the macrocosm, an open system within it. The laws of the macrocosm are fixed and unchangeable; and within the laws, there is also a law that gives man the discretion to either align with the higher laws of the macrocosm and create an internal and external environment of peace and harmony by getting rid of his “crisis” promoting tendencies (lower nature of man) viz. Desire (kama), Anger (krodh), Attachment (moha), Greed (lobha) and Ego (ahankar), or continue to live in an environment of internal and external confusion, conflict and crisis. The lower nature of man vitiates the basic law of the creation — the law of mutuality and harmony. Normally, we do not realize the implications of our lower nature; and even if we do, we justify ourselves by saying ‘I know it is wrong, but since everyone is doing it, I had no option but to follow suit’.

The crisis that we face today is majorly manmade. It is a repercussion of leading a life dominated by our lower nature, our mentality of “I-Me-My”. Since, the cause is inside us, the solution also rests within us. We need to change our mentality from the “I-Me-My” mode to the “We-Us-Ours” mode; and the only way to make it happen is to work on expanding our consciousness level i.e. ‘manage our thinking behind our thinking’ by leading a righteous life. In this background, this paper makes out a case that the permanent solution to all the confusion, conflict and crisis that the world is facing today, rest inside us and not outside us. Show less

We simultaneously live in two worlds — our internal world of thoughts, values, desires, and experiences; and our external world in which we are born, and perform actions. Modernity, despite successfully developing our external world, has failed to develop our internal world. This has resulted in our lower nature being unleashed and a crisis of morals and values taking over society. This paper, drawing from the “science of consciousness” as detailed in the Indian tradition, looks at the nature… Show more

We simultaneously live in two worlds — our internal world of thoughts, values, desires, and experiences; and our external world in which we are born, and perform actions. Modernity, despite successfully developing our external world, has failed to develop our internal world. This has resulted in our lower nature being unleashed and a crisis of morals and values taking over society. This paper, drawing from the “science of consciousness” as detailed in the Indian tradition, looks at the nature of modernity and how we can address the challenges being posed by it, by training our consciousness to higher levels. Show less

Despite of all the scientific and technological developments and globalization, social and economic disparity is widening and is making the very word “harmony” and “peace” a far cry. The interdependent co-existence of matter (material) and the spirit (spiritual) is the core of harmony in this world and the path to holistic evolution and growth. Technology and commerce driven business culture of today, which is virtually insensitive to the societal and environmental needs has created a… Show more

Despite of all the scientific and technological developments and globalization, social and economic disparity is widening and is making the very word “harmony” and “peace” a far cry. The interdependent co-existence of matter (material) and the spirit (spiritual) is the core of harmony in this world and the path to holistic evolution and growth. Technology and commerce driven business culture of today, which is virtually insensitive to the societal and environmental needs has created a paradoxical situation. While, on one hand it is bettering human life and living standards, on the other hand it has and is creating disturbing ecological, social and moral conditions of unimaginable proportions. Nature by character being intolerant to anything which flouts the ‘The Law of Harmony’ is challenging businesses and society – either they mend their ways or perish. When a business collapses or is forced to close operations, there is much more than what meets the eye. It creates a catastrophic situation in society or a segment of society. Having realized and experienced the consequences of challenging the ‘law of interdependence’, as well as the consequences of failing to preserve harmony in nature and society, the West is struggling to find the right balance between the economic objectives of the business and its obligations towards society i.e. harmonizing the acts of man with the laws of nature. However, in the Indian tradition and philosophies this balance has always existed giving appropriate importance to duty towards self, fellow workers and society at large. In this background, this essay focuses on helping business to harmonize their working with the ‘Law of Harmony’ and attain higher sustainability through the application of the ethos of Vedanta and in particular The Bhagavad Gita. Show less

Fundamental to esoteric metaphysics is the Law of Unity which derives from the fact that a spectrum of consciousness underlies all existence. Depending on spiritual evolution it assumes varying grades from Vaikhari to Madhyama to Pashyanti to the ultimate known as Para or Super Consciousness. Corresponding to these grades of consciousness are sound and vibration that envelope the entire existence.
Super Consciousness with its un-manifest sound and vibration is referred to as God and the… Show more

Fundamental to esoteric metaphysics is the Law of Unity which derives from the fact that a spectrum of consciousness underlies all existence. Depending on spiritual evolution it assumes varying grades from Vaikhari to Madhyama to Pashyanti to the ultimate known as Para or Super Consciousness. Corresponding to these grades of consciousness are sound and vibration that envelope the entire existence.
Super Consciousness with its un-manifest sound and vibration is referred to as God and the Sant Satguru is its manifest form. Connecting the Manifest and Un-manifest is the Cosmic sound called ‘Naada’ or 'Shabda' extending like a ladder from the Sant Satguru (The Manifest) to God ‘The Super Consciousness’ (The Un-Manifest). Seek refuge in Sant Satguru, catch hold of ‘Shabda’ through His Grace, and reach God ‘The Super Consciousness’, rung by rung.
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Traditionally business has always been a support mechanism for societies to grow and evolve, but in the last 150 years (primarily 20th century) with corporatization of businesses the roles have got reversed with society transcending into becoming the support mechanism for businesses to grow and expand. This brought about a radical change in the socioeconomic mindset of society. From the perspective of economic evolution there have been 4 waves of development. The first was the 'agricultural… Show more

Traditionally business has always been a support mechanism for societies to grow and evolve, but in the last 150 years (primarily 20th century) with corporatization of businesses the roles have got reversed with society transcending into becoming the support mechanism for businesses to grow and expand. This brought about a radical change in the socioeconomic mindset of society. From the perspective of economic evolution there have been 4 waves of development. The first was the 'agricultural wave', the second 'industrial wave'which is still existing in some parts of the world, the third 'information wave' and lastly 'the wave of 'spiritual consciousness' which is unfolding in this 21st century. Each wave is based on new knowledge and it ushers in a new worldview - a paradigm. When new knowledge emerges, we revise our understanding of reality. This does not imply that the old knowledge was wrong; it only means that the old knowledge was partial and now it needs to be looked afresh and accordingly modified or supplemented with the new knowledge. This is anevolutionary process and societies including organization accordingly take necessary stepsto survive in the new environment. Transformation is the only solution to ensure that we do not lose out on all the advancements made in the past and our march forward. While businesses are battling to find solutions to align to the requirements of the 21st century viz. inclusion of consciousness in all dimensions of human life including business; this paper proposes a transformation model for businesses to align themselves to the new emerging reality of the 21st century. The model integrates the modern management practices with the Indian ethos and focus on developing 'organizational consciousness' without disrupting the existing operations. The authors believe that 'business has to be done the business way, but the righteous way'. Show less

Every civilization has a hidden code – a set of rules or principles that run through all its activities programming the behavior of millions and spreading across the planet like a wave. Driven by 'Spiritual Consciousness' this 21st century is witnessing a new wave of civilization whose last bastion is the workplace. This expression of 'spiritual consciousness' at the workplace is being called 'Workplace Spirituality and also 'Organizational Fourth Wave'. A review of the manifestation of… Show more

Every civilization has a hidden code – a set of rules or principles that run through all its activities programming the behavior of millions and spreading across the planet like a wave. Driven by 'Spiritual Consciousness' this 21st century is witnessing a new wave of civilization whose last bastion is the workplace. This expression of 'spiritual consciousness' at the workplace is being called 'Workplace Spirituality and also 'Organizational Fourth Wave'. A review of the manifestation of 'workplace spirituality' reveals that businesses are using spirituality more as a tool to address motivation and productivity issues, rather than as ascaffold to bring about a cultural change in business thinking and behaviour. Restrictingspirituality to only the metaphysical dimension of life is one common error that we make. The Indian philosophy is the oldest living tradition and its ethos centers around the dynamics of improving life. It is based on the principle of oneness in creation and integrates the spiritual and physical dimensions of human existence through righteousness (Dharma).Wealth creation is considered to be one of the main goals of life; hence, religion and business have always co-existed and are responsible for all human growth and evolution in the Indian tradition. Show less