In a ruthlessly practical world, how can philosophy help you?
Many of my friends who are running their own businesses and leading teams – after all their intellectually stimulating and socially exciting days, come back to a fundamental question – what is the meaning of this life? At times, they try to ignore this question with a quick casual swipe on their phones. Instantly, the inner voice is silenced by the outer noise. But during some solitary moments, these questions repeat. As humans, we are wired to think everything has a purpose. In life, we think of goals and in a project a clear outcome. Everything is moving towards a destination. The journey is forgotten, only the destination is celebrated. It happens in a highly ‘result-oriented’ world. Mindfulness, a buzzword it has become, is all about focusing on the moment, an activity we do now, and just being deeply involved with it – not worrying about the results. It gives stability. It silences the regret about the past, anxiety about the future – and focuses all the energies into the moment we live.
As busy executives, we need mindful moments, which can take our life to the next level of human existence. It is the uninterrupted time, undistracted by the external noise. In deep silence and no movement, you can listen to your own inner voice, which is the most powerful trigger for progress in life. We dilute the voice by filling each gap with entertainment and cheap stimulations.
What is your deep mind saying to you?
“You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.” – Franz Kafka