Welcome to an exciting session where Raman Mittal, Co-Founder of Idanim engages in a captivating conversation with Manish Behl.
Manish Behl is India’s leading mindfulness and emotional intelligence coach. Manish is India's Leading Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence expert and a certified Leadership coach. Manish has over 25 years of corporate experience, including leadership positions in various multinational companies. Manish is also the founder of the Mindfulness India Summit and the Mindful Science Centre, where he and his team offers experiential mindfulness workshops and leadership coaching.
Manish is an experienced meditator who started his meditation journey years ago to find a deeper connection within himself. He shares his personal experiences with sincerity, explaining how meditation transformed his life. It brought him clarity, emotional well being, and a stronger connection to the present moment.
Join us in this thought-provoking conversation as we delve into the depth of mindfulness and discover the transformative wisdom that Manish Behl has to offer.
How did Manish Behl Start his Mindful Journey?
Manish took us back to his childhood days, where he shared about his initial interactions with meditation and the mindful journey. At the age of 7, he embarked on this path, guided by his yoga guru, Dhirendra Brahmachari. It was through this mentorship that he was introduced to the intricate art of subtle yoga practices, unveiling the science and wisdom behind the world of yogic art and meditation.
He developed the habit of rising early in the morning. This simple yet transformative habit paved the way for a morning ritual that would later become instrumental in his exploration of various meditation practices and disciplines. Manish fondly remembered himself as a hyperactive child with boundless energy. Meditation and mindfulness practices helped him channel a positive force that would shape not only his behavior, emotional well being but also his mindset, education and career.
Fast forward to the year 2000, Manish introduced meditation into his organization's setup. He was determined to share the benefits of mindfulness with those around him. With unwavering commitment, he conducted extensive research and developed a blueprint to introduce mindfulness to his colleagues and employees. Through this endeavor, he aimed to seamlessly integrate mindfulness into their lifestyles.
This initiative marked a significant turning point in Manish's life. It paved the way for his next grand adventure, the Mindfulness India Summit and the establishment of the Mindful Science Centre. These platforms became a beacon for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of mindfulness and its practical applications in everyday life. Manish's dedication to bringing mindfulness into the corporate world not only transformed his own life but also opened doors for countless others on their own mindful journeys.
How Does Mindfulness Help in The Decision Making Process and People Management?
Manish Behl is renowned for his expertise in guiding and coaching both businesses and individuals. When asked about the impact of mindfulness and emotional well being on decision-making, he highlighted a vital connection that often goes unnoticed. Decision-making involves an interplay of conscious and largely subconscious processes influenced by our daily actions, biases, social conditioning, genetic predispositions, and situational factors.
Manish emphasized mindfulness acts as a catalyst for transforming the decision-making process. It provides you with a precious pause, a moment to step back and gain clarity. In this moment of awareness, you can scrutinize the array of choices before you and view them through a different lens. Mindfulness brings to light the conscious decisions that shape your path, paving the way for more confident and affirmative choices.
Manish went on to recount a recent experience during a session on decision-making at IIM Ahmedabad. He shared how mindfulness can unlock various dimensions of decision-making. One of these dimensions is divergent thinking, where you break free from the shackles of limited data and open your mind to a multitude of ideas. This ability to think outside the box grants you a competitive advantage in navigating complex decisions.
Another dimension, he pointed out, centers around the value proposition. Mindful decision-makers ponder not only the what but also the why. They contemplate the purpose and underlying motivations behind their choices. This thoughtful approach ensures that decisions are made with a clear understanding of their significance, transcending the influence of personal biases on one's emotional well being.
By fostering awareness and expanding the horizons of thinking, mindfulness equips individuals with the tools to make well-informed decisions, free from the limitations of unconscious biases. It empowers them to chart a course that aligns with their true intentions and aspirations, ultimately leading to more meaningful and impactful outcomes.
What Does “Non-judgmental” Mean in the Context of Mindfulness?
Manish has often used this quote by Jon Jabat Zinn in his various blogs, defining mindfulness, ‘Mindfulness is the awareness that arises through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, non judgementally”. When asked about what “non-judgmentally” means in this context, Manish emphasized the importance of being non judgemental as the key factor in the concept of mindfulness.
He explained that practicing mindfulness with a non-judgmental attitude signifies a crucial aspect of this practice. He elaborated on this by highlighting the essence of accepting the present moment exactly as it unfolds, devoid of any desire to alter it to fit our preferences. This approach embodies what he termed as "non-judgmental mindfulness."
Being non-judgmental involves embracing the present moment without imposing any biases or expectations. It's about looking at the situation as it is, without the lens of trying to immediately make it better. He stressed that when we cling to expectations and view things from a singular standpoint, our thinking becomes confined, limiting our ability to explore various viewpoints. Being non-judgmental opens the door to being fully present in the moment. It fosters a sense of inner calm, attentiveness, and focus.
By letting go of judgments and expectations, individuals can immerse themselves in the richness of the here and now, free from the constraints of preconceived notions. This, in turn, enables a deeper and more profound experience of mindfulness.
Success Stories From Manish Behl’s Mindfulness & Emotional Intelligence Training Program
Manish is a renowned mindfulness and emotional intelligence coach. He has helped several businesses and professionals by offering experiential mindfulness workshops and leadership coaching. Manish revealed that there are hundreds of such stories. He mentioned his mindfulness foundation trainer program, where he trains people to deliver mindfulness practices for emotional well being. Manish highlighted how these mindfulness practices bring significant changes in behavior and perspective.
One striking example Manish shared involved a working professional who attended his training program while dealing with a tragic personal situation that was casting a long shadow over her professional life. She had endured months of sleepless nights. However, after the program, she began to experience remarkable improvements. Today, she stands at the pinnacle of her career, successfully leading an organization, a testament to the transformative power of mindfulness in healing and emotional well being.
Why is it Important to Let Go & How Can We Do That?
Manish Behl often talks about the importance of “letting go.” It is very uncommon to easily let off strong emotions like jealousy, anger, worry, fear, etc. Manish explained this concept in the most beautiful way. He explained that holding strong emotions is just like carrying a big bag of emotions that does not even help us.
Manish shares that identification with our emotions often leads to a sense of embodiment, where we become inseparable from the emotion itself. The phrase "let it be" encourages us to view emotions as transient, passing experiences rather than fixed elements of our identity. In this context, mindfulness emerges as a valuable tool for our emotional well being. It enables us to recognize our emotions, accept them without judgment, and contemplate our response to them with clarity and wisdom.
As a practical exercise, Manish introduces a method called "POARR," which stands for Pause, Observe, Accept, Respond, and Retreat. This approach acts as a roadmap for detaching from strong emotions. It starts with the simple act of pausing, interrupting the automatic reaction. Through observation, we gain insight into the nature of the emotion itself. Acceptance follows, allowing us to acknowledge the emotion without judgment. With this newfound clarity and emotional distance, we can respond thoughtfully and, if necessary, retreat from the emotion's grip.
How Does Mindfulness Impact People's Personal Lives & Emotional Well Being?
Manish explained a very straightforward perspective on the power of mindfulness. When one practices mindfulness, it doesn't just stay in one corner of your life—it spills over into every aspect.
It is like a mirror that helps you peel away the layers and reveal your true, authentic self. This self-discovery journey impacts not only your personal life but also your professional sphere. It's a holistic transformation. Mindfulness enables you to cultivate empathy, a precious quality that allows you to genuinely connect with others. It encourages you to be fully present in each moment, making your interactions with people more meaningful and profound.
Perhaps the most profound shift that mindfulness triggers is a new way of seeing the world. It's like putting on a pair of glasses that reveal a clearer, more beautiful view of life. This shift, in turn, has a positive effect on your emotional well being.
What is Your Advice to People Who Expect to Be Thoughtless While Meditating?
Manish puts a simple yet profound insight into a common misconception about meditation by saying, "Thoughts and breath come from the same place. You cannot control it. The more you try to control it, the more it becomes prominent."
He explains that thoughts are like flowing streams. Just as you can't control the course of a river, thoughts naturally flow in the mind. However, what you can control is your relationship with these thoughts. This is where mindfulness comes into play. It's about creating a space between yourself and the constant flow of thoughts and emotions, observing them from a distance.
This separation allows you to tap into a different perspective. Instead of being swept away by your thoughts, you stand a step back and channel your energy into understanding them more deeply. You don't have to react to every thought that arises. Instead, you can choose to observe, to make conscious choices about how to engage with those thoughts, all without judgment or expectations.
Manish's insights reflect that mindfulness is a simple yet incredibly powerful tool. It's not just about being present; it's about embracing your authentic self, fostering empathy, and gaining a fresh perspective on the world.
Watch the video below to catch the full interview with Manish Behl.
Our latest podcast series, Idanim Inspirations, dives into enlightening conversations with spiritual and corporate leaders exploring their remarkable journeys toward mindfulness. Here, we share the profound insights and life-changing experiences that have guided them on their paths. Through heart-to-heart conversations, we uncover insights and experiences, offering enlightenment and inspiration for all. Get ready to discover a wellspring of inspiration and wisdom as we bring these conversations to your screen. Head to our YouTube channel to discover more such videos!
