Tackling problems in life & at work with the Buddha
by Sanjiv Bhatla that compresses encyclopedic insights in a small volume. His study of the Prophet is primarily based on Martin Lings’ book. For the Quran’s interpretation, he relies on the translation by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and supplements it with that of Abdullah Yusuf Ali.
The author also delves into various Islamic scriptures. Most non-Muslims are unaware that Islam is more than the Quran. It includes a vast collection of words and deeds attributed to the Prophet by later authors. These compilations are sort of like the Gospels, and comprise the deeds and sayings of the Prophet. They are called hadith and sunnah. Muslim scholars fight over their authenticity to put a kindred ancient religion like Islam in perspective. Bhatla has stayed clear of this sensitive territory and has very judiciously selected those hadiths that are universally accepted as sound. There is a very enlightening discussion on Islamic thinkers, both classical as well as those of mystical schools or Sufis. The book provides a new lens to view Islam.
The underlying message deeply compassionate. But to answer your question: Well, I am Gautam. And you are Gautam. Do you think women aren’t taken as seriously as men professionally? How do you think one can work around this?
I think women often lead more complex lives than men, both biologically and emotionally. I think it was Indra Nooyi who said the biological clock is totally at odds with our career cycle and this is so very true.
In India, our situation is worse because the urban milieu is changing fast, but without a concomitant social support structure. For instance, the number of good and reliable day care facilities is very limited, our working hours are wretchedly long and made longer by the pathetic traffic conditions in most metros. We no longer depend on our parents or in-laws, let alone our husbands, to lend us a helping hand. In our very nuclear worlds, the practical stress and strain on women is enormous.
All this makes it tougher for women in the workplace, especially in higher paid and more professionally complex roles. So women, I think, need even more wisdom and calmness to deal with life and work situations.
These techniques shared in Buddha At Work have enabled and empowered me as a woman in the workplace, helped me deal with the complex, the uncertain and the downright turbulent with greater wisdom, to always find solutions, create a support system and bring a better me to the workplace. I am sure when women readers read this book, they will think: ‘I am not alone in this experience.’ How should one deal with toxic co-workers, as studies show even after being reported to HR, 40 per cent feel organisations do nothing about misbehaving colleagues?
The underlying cause of toxic behaviour lies elsewhere within the individual — usually in their fear, stress or unhappiness. When we experience toxic behaviour at the workplace, we are actually experiencing that underlying cause. Though there are no easy solutions on changing others and their toxicity, there is much that we can do to grow as human beings, as colleagues and as professionals. Our growth enables us to respond in a very different way to the same negative the pursuit of a hobby.
This time-out has three facets – the first is time for the body; the second is time for communicating with ourselves and the universe — this includes meditation, calming techniques, “me time”. The third aspect is taking time out for a pleasurable activity or hobby. The rarest element of life today is of time, of finding time and making time. The finest research across the globe has linked our physical and mental health and even longevity to taking time out for ourselves.
Gautam says, “Management of time depends entirely on your own will. It depends on you. On what is important to you. Not on what you say is important to you. You will always find time for what is an absolute priority for you. But if you haven’t learnt to identify it, you will never find time for it.” How inspired is it from Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings?
Buddha At Work was born out of the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, but I had to shelve my first manuscript which was based entirely on the principles of Nichiren Buddhism. It was too technical. I had to really struggle and think of ways to present it all in a different way. And so, in a kind of backward integration, I started my study of Shakyamuni’s life and his teachings and philosophy.
Nichiren Buddhism is based on the second last sutra of Shakyamuni’s life called The Lotus Sutra. The essential nugget of wisdom contained in this sutra is the element of appreciation and respect for self and others. This is at the heart of all Buddhist practices. What are the 5 top tips you would give to any young working person for them to lead a better life?
Given the paucity of time available today to the young professional, I will make my answer as pithy as possible: 1. Never start your day with surfing the Internet, answering emails, or checking WhatsApp. Focus on yourself. 2. Set time aside for meditation to connect with yourself. 3. Respect and appreciate your uniqueness. 4. Consciously adopt the practice of gratitude and keep with it your whole life. It is transformational. 5. Chart out and understand your own life purpose. It is truly the wind beneath your wings.