“Call it as you see it”! is an expression that suggests expressing one’s opinion in an open, honest, and direct way. We think of it as something difficult to implement or practice in real life. Yet, we expect the same, precisely and without fail from every referee in any game, in any sport. Higher the level of the game, like the playoffs or the Super Bowl game, this expectation from the referee climbs up several notches! Perhaps it is possible, since the referee is not watching the game for entertainment. Nor is he/she focused on the score, who is winning or losing. Instead every referee is intently focused on every moment in the play occurring in front of him/her precisely at that moment. What happened in the past is history. What shall happen the moment after is also irrelevant or not a matter of concern in the mind. Perhaps this is evidence of “living in the moment” or mindfulness highly suggested as a key leadership quality for every manager or decision maker?
“A mindful leader is someone who is deeply attuned to the present moment. They possess a heightened sense of self-awareness, enabling them to understand their emotions, thoughts, and actions. This self-awareness can foster a deep understanding of their team members’ needs, motivations, and wellbeing.“
“Call it as you see it” is not limited to sports or just for the referees. We expect the same from every judge. It is recognized as an absence of bias. It is the essence of the Judicial Process.
“In all court interactions, each court, its judicial officers, and its employees should refrain from engaging in conduct and should take action to prevent others from engaging in conduct that exhibits bias, including but not limited to bias based on age, ancestry, color, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender “ …
“Bias” or absence of it, which is the cornerstone or foundation of our judicial system, is also a key element of leadership qualities in every manager or leader.
“Decision-making under pressure is a core leadership skill needed in life and business. Leadership bias may not be immediately obvious but they are a stumbling block Managers of today must become aware of to succeed. The human brain is very powerful but also comes with its limitations. Indeed, it can’t handle the tremendous amount of data coming in every second… Naturally, to simplify information processing, we take shortcuts which are called heuristic or cognitive biases.”
What is the rationale behind cognitive bias? Can it also be used as the foundation for Cognitive behavior management?
Recently I came across a post pertaining to “Consciousness based Leadership” . In that post, a list of qualities of “I”, were noted as applicable to a Consciousness based Leader:
One without sorrow.
A Dharmic Leader is a Consciousness-based leader with the fine discernment to do the right thing at the right time at the right place for the right people in the right direction for the right results. “Dharmo rakshati rakshitah” : Dharma protects the one who upholds it.
Let us explore further this “I” and “consciousness”.
“I am consciousness – Pragjnanam Brahma” is one of the grand pronouncements from Veda, the ancient scriptures of Vedic Philosophy. This is also the essence of Management through Consciousness?
I am, therefore I think! All our awareness (i.e.) all thoughts, emotions/feeling and action are governed by the forces of nature (Brahman). We have described in earlier essays that the governing forces of nature behind all our activities (thoughts, feelings and actions) can be understood as the science of “connectors”, (i.e.) our Knowledge, Bias and Ignorance and their role in fostering Tranquility, Turbulence and Inertial states in all aspects of our living. It is possible to comprehend these connectors – the forces of nature in human existence – as: sorrowless; pure, delusionless, invariant with time or space (not vacillating), changeless, without attachment to any one (without ego) or anything, …..
Consciousness Management may be possible, when we truly believe and comprehend that we are all part of nature: I am Brahman : Aham Brahma (which is one of the few Grand Pronouncements of Vedic Philosophy).
Can our thoughts, emotions and actions be aligned with the prevailing forces of nature? For a moment? Limited to one activity? As a lifelong practice? Consciousness management could evolve as a momentary experience, to a way of life. As long as one can be focused on observations and decision making relying largely on his/her true knowledge and less on the bias or ignorance, the referee in any game shines in that role or elevates the judge from a common man into a well respected role model in the judicial process. The principle and approach would appear to be the same for anyone to rise to higher levels of Consciousness Management!
There is a common verse that is chanted often as a prayer song. On reflection, this prayer song may also be adapted to train our mind to be in tune with our conscience and the connectors. This is schematically described in the table below. This training of the mind could become a natural mode of living? Perhaps this could be a framework for Consciousness Management?
| Spiritual कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा । बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात् । करोमि यद्यत्सकलं परस्मै ।नारायणयेति समर्पयामि ॥ Whatever I do, through my body functions, spoken words, through my thoughts, gestures (hand movements, etc.), intelligence, conscience and my natural tendencies ……… May all of them be dedicated to Lord Narayana! (Theological) ————————————————————————– ….. May all of them reflect our understanding that everything represent the role of the Lord, Brahman (i.e.) nature and its laws – Sarvam Brahma Mayam! (Philosophical) May I sustain this thought as I engage in all aspects of life – Consciousness Management – Spirituality in Practice! | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Spirituality in Practice: Cognitive Behavior Management Cognitive exploration of the equilibrium states – “Experience”. May our life be dedicated to self-control and unattached active engagement, as reflected by the true course of nature, observed and managed through prevailing connectors (K,B and I) and their equilibrium states (Tranquility, Turbulence and Inertia). | |||
| Activity | Tranquility(Knowledge dominant) | Turbulence(Bias dominant) | Inertial(Ignorance dominant) |
| Body functions | Peaceful/ Inviting | Twitching / aggravating | Withdrawn / Repulsive |
| Spoken Words | Pleasant/ friendly | Aggressive / angry | Sullen / Brooding |
| Thoughts | Holistic/ Inclusive | Self-driven/ Needs and wants | Without clarity / purpose. |
| Gestures | Welcoming/ Supportive | Combative/ Emotional | Injurious to the self |
| Intelligence | Creative and forward looking | Crooked / Scheming | Self defeating |
| Conscience | Contemplative;Analytical reasoning | Self-centered; driven by needs and wants | Lacking in energy and sense of self-worth. |
| Natural tendency | Living in the present, accepting the course of nature as it is. | Re-living the past and its anxieties or apprehensions of the future. | Clueless |
Spirituality In Practice 
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