briefcase the right brain capability of creative imagination, intuitive judgment, aesthetic abilities and spiritual intelligence. Lectures include meditation, telepathy, the arts, a study of the behavioral and natural sciences, and the lives of some of the world’s great spiritual pathfinders and transformational leaders. The AIMLeader takes a peek at the magic of the serendipity walk, as professed by MBA 2006 student, Harish Chawla, MBA 2006, where questions, issues and anxieties are resolved by the unconscious in a Eureka moment of truth.
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AM A STUDENT OF SCIENCE, WHERE every act has or is expected to have a compelling explanation. We were taught to think logically, not creatively. We were told that the answer is in the details, thus we need to pursue the analysis until the solution surfaces. Experimentation is the process adopted, where our results have to derive from our observations, without exception! Logical and categorical thinking was ingrained within our kind, as the source of all answers and solution to all problems. While an apparent skill that I had nurtured, this had also become a limitation, as it offered a prejudiced, a biased and a limited view of the world. But it was obvious that science was unable to provide insights regarding all of life’s mysteries. The study of philosophy and social sciences lends to thinking differently, attempting to answer the broader questions of life. This is when I acknowledged that I have to broaden my horizons, to consider challenging the prevalent ambiguities in a distinct and creative manner. The obvious indication is to look elsewhere beyond the realm of logic and sciences, that the answers probably reside elsewhere. With this mindset, though initially it appeared peculiar and amusing, looking to the world for answers was a fascinating exercise. I had prepared my rather active and anxious mind and myself to forgo all notions of logic and fear, and venture onto this experimental journey—the serendipity walk! It was a significant decision for me to leave the comforts of the Western World, and journey to the Philippines in search of an MBA education. My friends found me ‘crazy’ to say the least, that while the world attempts to pursue business education in the West, I am venturing in the opposite. I had my reasons, but moreover, I had the option of returning if the Asian experience was less than satisfactory. Thus, do I want to explore my future in the
dusty yet developing cities of India or return to the comfortable, healthy and prosperous life of the West. As I see it, both India and the US offer its set of advantages and disadvantages, and a logical weighing of the pros & cons has not offered a ready solution. This, I opined, would be an appropriate question to pose to the world—Where should I pursue my career after this MBA degree— US or India? With this thought transfixed, I pursued my serendipitous walk through Greenbelt and Glorietta malls on a Saturday evening, when the mall is bustling with activity. While I was conscious of my question, I did not want to actively
“...I acknowledged that I have to broaden my horizons... The obvious indication is to look elsewhere beyond the realm of logic and sciences, that the answers probably reside elsewhere. think of it, else my logical mind would concoct a response. If the surroundings were expected to speak to me, then the answer should dawn upon me, without a controlled effort on my part. It is challenging and painful, to put my mind to rest, and allow an external force to dictate my thoughts. Nevertheless, I attempted. I walked around the mall, through shops and exhibits, observing people and activities. I would look at the surroundings differently,
as if they were trying to converse with me. Certain images amused the mind, while connecting to the lingering question. But there was no apparent response. Many a time, I would find a pleasing site that would remind me of something and offer a solution to the question, but it was difficult for me to distinguish whether it is a subconscious response from my left-brain, or an actual celestial moment of truth. Nevertheless, my intuitive self was not willing to accept the response, and the journey continued. I had allocated three hours, to meander around the malls, discerning for a response. I visited various parts of the mall, had dinner, bought a few items, while sustaining minimal consciousness of the sought after objective. The apparent intent was to involve myself in regular activities of mall-goers, without disregarding the implicit purpose of my visit. Engaging in different activities would provide new perspectives and ideas, with the anticipation that lightning would strike home. After a long evening, disappointed, I did not observe an intense insight from the world around. I had been less than successful in the intuition, meditation and dream interpretation exercises conducted earlier, those that tickle the right brain. Realizing that the creative part of my brain had been dormant for sometime, I had rationalized that practice in the mentioned activities would enable better performance. It was a painful realization though, that my creative self remains underdeveloped, though the potential is vivid. I resigned to providence, and proceeded back to AIM after a long day of SMARTS >>
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