There is a concept of “Ishwara Pranidhana” in Maharshi Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga which is one of the Niyama(Observance) and also an option by itself towards Samadhi/Liberation for seekers at all levels. Who is this “Ishvara” and how do we do “pranidhana” (surrender)?
Ishwara is the eternal being within you which is the substance from which this entire world is created. The form is the objects we see or for that matter even those that we don’t (air/space, etc). It’s like building figures out of clay/sand – the substance(Clay/Sand) is the same in all and yet we identify with the form.
We are like these clay/sand figures and somehow live our lives identifying ourselves with the form, instead of the substance. This identification with form is “Ego” which is an acquired concept and we get so used to living through this form identification(ego) that we forget that in essence or substance we are the same.
Dissolving this form or “ego” is the surrender or pranidhana. We then transcend form and realise the true substance. For this you have to simply let go of what you are not and see what remains…
Explorer, Philanthropist, Mentor:
Exploring and researching on practices of Self Realisation
Philanthropist: engaged in projects with social and environmental impact
Mentor: guiding people crystallise and achieve their material and spiritual goals
Background:
Former CEO of Mahindra Integrated Business Solutions- an Advisory and Business Process Management Arm of the Diversified US$ 17 Billion Mahindra Group. Ajit was responsible for transforming a Shared Services Centre of the Mahindra Group into a full-fledged Advisory and Business Process Management Company with products/services spanning Strategy & Enterprise Risk Management Advisory to Digitization and Transactional Outsourcing.
He has over 23 years of experience in the industry as an Entrepreneur. He has built businesses in Music Publishing, Media (Compact Discs/DVD’s) Manufacturing, Logistics and Financial Services and is currently nurturing his own initiative called FREE (Forests, Renewable Energy and Environment) & associated with NPO Trusts/ Organizations and mentoring select people and a few start-ups in his personal capacity.
A Chartered Accountant by Qualification with extensive continuing education in Executive Management Programs @ Harvard Business School, Michigan- Ross Business School, IIM-A
He has pursued spiritual interests since an early age exploring inner facets of self through Vipassana, Isha Yoga, Kriya Yoga, other yogic approaches / meditation techniques An Avid Marathoner, trekker/mountaineer, scuba diver, writer and motorbike traveller, is passionate about exploring the outer world as much as the inner.
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Bodhisattva 