Finding your Chi

Just as the leaf of 2015 was turning to welcome 2016, I met an amazing couple -- Dr Mrs Kinneri and Dr. Kalind Bakshi*,master coach and an EFT practitioner.  What followed was an interesting conversation that lead us to organize a Tai Chi workshop at Potentia Institute last month.

It was my first exposure to and a successful attempt at discovering Chi through this process.  In other words, I could sense and feel my Chi.  The nine-step process introduced by Dr Kalind (Discovering, Gathering, Circulating, Purifying, Directing, Conserving, Storing, Transforming & Dissolving Chi) has stayed alive in my head.  

 The Chi showed up again yesterday evening while watching Kung fu Panda-3, wherein Shifu nudges Po to break out of his comfort zone:-

Kung Fu Panda-3

Po: Master Shifu? Good time, bad time?
Shifu: Time is an allusion, there's only the now.
...
Shifu: If you only do what you can do, you'll never be more than you are now.
Po: But I like who I am!
Shifu: You don't even know who you are!
...
Po:...There's no way I'm ever gonna be like you!
Shifu: I'm not trying to turn you into me; I'm trying to turn you into you.

As I watch the film, one more time few of the existential questions pop up --

• Who am I?
• Am I living my potential?
• How/ what do I celebrate?Given that, every time I'm about to celebrate, the sand shifts.
  

I am not the only one grappling with these questions.  My co-travelers in my coaching sessions offer me a rare opportunity in letting me join their explorations as I coach them. In the past few years, I have been fortunate to see people find their Chi even amidst shifting sands. 

During last ten years' coaching/ consulting practice I have discovered that, the single-most differentiator that triggers a net positive outcome in one's life is the "mindset". Our experience has sprouted a belief that the "Chi" that helps one to leave the joyprints on the sands of their heart emanates from mindset. We have developed bias towards characteristics that help one nurture such a mindset. These characteristics are -- abundance, curiosity & openness, incompleteness, and a pursuit larger than self.

Abundance: Do you bring an attitude of abundance or you believe that life is a zero-sum venture. The zero-sum mindset tends to develop beliefs such as

• loving someone more implies taking away love from someone else
• pursuit of (say) a hobby entails compromise in one's career
• quest for knowledge denotes ignoring one's family
• ...

The underlying assumption is that of scarcity in different spheres of life including one's own capacity. The attitude of abundance on the other hand --- helps you find energy - multiplying options & opportunities for you, builds deeper connect with others making you even more resourceful and secure even in the face of opposing forces.

Curiosity & Openness: Curiosity opens doors of newness and experimentation in your life. An inquiring mind and interest to explore, opens doors for you to uncover novelty in life, forge new alliances, and discover your hidden potential. It makes you adaptable by making it easy for you to embrace diversity and adjust effortlessly to the ever changing world.

Incompleteness: An attitude of incompleteness reminds you that you're an evolving 'work-in-progress-self', not a flawless being and possibly ignorant about much of the world. This helps you to be comfortable in your own skin notwithstanding the embedded imperfectness. It cultivates humility, helps appreciate others' perspectives and makes you humble.

A pursuit larger than self: Living for a cause larger than oneself makes your life better. It need not be an earth shattering pursuit; however, it ought to be something beyond your immediate circumstances and/ or beyond your own needs. In absence of this, one becomes self-obsessed and self-absorbed just as the character Kai in Kung Fu Panda. As Kai, the dragon warrior assumes identities of -- the Jade Slayer, the Master of Pain and the Beast of Vengeance.

Do share your experience how do you find Chi or Prana -- the life giving vital energy that unites body, mind and spirit and propels you to

• Discover - 'Who am I'?
• Unlock your potential and
• Celebrate Life

*About Dr. Kalind

Dr. Kalind Bakshi (retired vascular surgeon for 28 years) is a board certified coach and coach trainer for Circle of Life and Master coaching academy. He has been instrumental in guiding and helping people achieve their health goals. He believes that there is a remarkable healing capacity through holistic and energy programs. Dr. Kalind and Dr.Kinnari (his wife also a master coach) IIQTC teacher and trainers are trained by Dr. Roger Jhanke OMD, who is the author of the book ‘The Healer Within: Using Traditional Chinese Techniques to Release Your Body’s Own Medicine’.