Conscious Enterprises Network

  Towards a Future Steep in Consciousness by Ashok Bhatia In the preceding post, we brought in focus the fact that the first step in the process of evolution is the act of creation of information, followed by the emergence of energy and matter. Their interaction creates the Cosmic Mind and the Cosmic Consciousness, which also comprises such other subsets as a human consciousness, or an animal’s consciousness, and the like. Having explored different facets of Consciousness, we realise how woefully short our present methods of running businesses are when compared to the ideal situation we at the Conscious Enterprises Network (CEN) are aiming for. Admittedly, there are silver linings to this dark cloud. These are in the form of several individuals and groups of people who are aware of this deficiency and wish to do something about it. Right from environmental activists to business groups which follow Plan B and aim for a triple-bottom surplus from operations, there are many ...

Consciousness: Another Perspective by Ashok Bhatia In the earlier part of this series of articles on Consciousness, we had covered the wide range of models which experts have used to define the concept of Consciousness, whether from management practitioners, scientists or those who repose their faith in either religion or spirituality. We notice that most of the models used for explaining Consciousness have been centred on these four concepts: A physiological activity taking place in the human neo-cortex (human only). More generally, a physiological activity taking place in the whole brain (human and other animals to some degrees). An energy like phenomenon that uses the brain to manifest itself. A deeper phenomenon at the core of everything, eventually connecting us to a Universal Consciousness. The CEN Perspective The model that Conscious Enterprises Network believes in is related to some extent to point 4 above. The aspect we are investigating is information based and not just e...

The Three ‘R’s of Consciousness in Enterprises by Ashok Bhatia Exploring the concept of Consciousness further, one may say that whereas a normal organisation cares for Results alone, an organisation steeped in Consciousness would provide an equal weight to all of its three ‘R’s – Results, Relationships and Righteousness – in its strategic and tactical thinking. Results could be either of the financial kind, the market share kind, or a combination of the two. Relationships would imply a positive working atmosphere where, besides harmonious relations, dissent is not suppressed; rather, it is encouraged. Following human values is an essential part of this attribute. So is respect and dignity towards people in general. Righteousness would encompass such features as concern for sustainability, giving back to the society and running operations not only within the ambit of law but beyond it, wherever possible. Being pro-active, when it comes to corporate governance; taking care of the rights...

The Challenge of Defining Consciousness by Ashok Bhatia Defining Consciousness is akin to the case of seven blind men trying to describe an elephant. People have different perspectives. So, when it comes to saying what it really is, the descriptions are often as different as chalk and cheese. The reason for a wide spectrum of ways in which we understand this concept is what one could label as the Yin and Yang factor. Many of us use our brains to explain what we understand it to be. Many others use our hearts to do so. Perhaps this concept is rather profound. It is beyond the sensory limitations of the human mind, which has an uncanny ability to divide and analyse things. This is what eventually leads to the phenomenon called Analysis Paralysis in management. Our hapless hearts are rooted in what Daniel Goleman refers to as Emotional Intelligence. A solely emotional perspective has its own limitations. But the situation is not as challenging as it appears to be. The common denominat...