Aham Brahmaasmi ( I am the "Supreme")

As i stood gazing at the Lord at Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Mumbai, i observed people revolving in the same place in which they stood, instead of the traditional practice of circumambulation around the deity in differential count depending on the deity. It symbolized the self having been blessed by the Supreme, and the practice of circumambulation became a revolution on one’s own axis taking cognizancw of His residing within me – aham brahmaasmi. (I am the Supreme ) ( aham : me ; brahma : the Supreme )

As i turned to introspect and relate concepts to my professional / work area, i was able to dissect my corporate career into 5 phases – in each of these five phases my interpretation of the Supreme Goal kept changing.

Phase 1 – It was oppurtunity.

This is typically the stage where as Dr. Malpani put it across beautifully Ignorance Quotient + Curiosity Quotient is at its best. Fresh to the corporate world, any line, any work, the mind was willing to be trained in the ways of the corporate world. The earlier generation needed some kind of godfathers. This later has turned to the concept of mentoring. Seniors these days identify potential candidates who can be taught their ways for the baton to be carried forward. Yet at this stage an oppurtunity to showcase one’s talent to the best is Brahma.

Phase 2 – it was wealth / money.

This is a stage when a good Phase 1 is capitalised upon to deliver more for effort put in and price tag is put in for the years of experience. This is the stage when lifestyle and obligations get built. This is also the stage in almost 70% of the cases where learning comes to a finish. Upgrading oneself to sustain in one’s profession will not sufficiently qualify for learning, as it would be at best skill enhancement. Here learning is equated to money. Qualifications, Certifications, Domain based specialization; Fresh Skilling takes place in this phase. Each has a price. Brahma is measured by the money i command.

Phase 3 – it is power / recognition.

This is typically a stage where the ego starts throwing in. A team is assigned, we have new found powers, we need to place the orders, and the team looks up in expectation. Aham Brahmaasmi – i am the lord... the supreme. The “we” aspect that is ideal takes the “ I ” perspective. Ethics / Values seem pliable and mouldable. A sense of tremendous power surges through the self. The feeling of me being at the centre of all activity is a tremendous motivator / booster. A lot of responsibility is shouldered in all earnestness to earn this image.

Phase 4 - it is trust and people orientation.

This is a phase when i acknowledge that the Supreme resides in every one as much as me. This is about being able to move mountains through trust and empowerment. This is a stage when realization dawns – what is important is NOT the heights you scale. It is about how many lives you are able to touch. The attitude is one of humility. If something works very well, it is the Supreme collectively in all of us that made it work.

Phase 5 – Discovery of the self.

This is where the mind has realized that the self needs lot more of honing and training. The search for a Guru / Teacher / Mentor begins. As i read recently, the biggest and the best guru as per mythology was Drona. And his best student ?......... nay.. It wasn’t the great Arjuna as we would guess. It was Ekalavya. The boy who created an idol and practiced in front of it to be the best archer the world ever witnessed. Guru / Mentor seeking is a sign of the learning phase re-entering our life. It starts making life more meaningful and fulfilling.

I am sure each of us would have additional phases. These are symbolic to suggest our reading of the brahma keeps changing with time.

It was with pain that i watched 3 of my close colleagues, who were my age group, pass away. Yet they left a legacy by the number of people they had touched. Yet 2 months after their demise, what remains is their style, values, ethics, their padanthara ( mudra / unique stamp reminiscent of their approach ). That will continue to speak of them long after they are no more.

Brahma lives uniquely in each of us. What matters is your ability to perceive Him the right way. He lives within each of us. It is our perception that defines HIM. Yes, He lives within me – aham brahmaasmi