“Transformation: Believing and seeing A Great Lakes Story” – By dr. bobby srinivasan

August 4, 2014 | Posted by bobbysrinivasan << back to blog

I have been a professor for more than 4 decades and taught in several institutions and countries and I realize now that the best way to teach a subject is to build a story around it and deliver it with finesse. Such stories bring in rapt attention from the students and what is taught becomes mentally stored and sits there for a long time. If the story told is gripping and touches his or her mind and heart it stays with him or her forever. The result is that he or she finds himself or herself bestowed with this knowledge and often times share it with others whose minds get equally influenced by the story.

I am now going to tell a story titled “Transformation: Believing and seeing”. This story is about joining three points (nodes) taking several aspects of this topic. I plan to weave them into a tale and with a desire to convey a lesson on transformation. For some of the readers, the nodes and their relationship may look out of Sync but upon contemplation they will be able to link the nodes to complete the story. The first node is transformation. In simple terms how changes come about in an individual. The change could be gradual or instantaneous, the latter being called quantum leap. Let me begin the story. Before I do this I want to alert you on the contents, which blends both real and imaginary experience. After all creativity requires fertile imagination and when combined with reality makes the story interesting. Anyway let us now get to the story.

I woke up one early morning in June decided to take a stroll around the environmentally and spiritually uplifting Great Lakes campus. Feeling fresh after a long night slumber, and the mind in a contemplative mood, I amble across nonchalantly and walk to the main entrance of the campus. The mind is contemplating on what needs to be done for the day and how the day is likely to pan out. In the meanwhile I reach the gate. The sky was partially dark probably loaded with rain bearing clouds and the sun starts showing its face. One look at it, I am enthralled by the astounding and yet pleasing golden color of it while its silver rays are spreading over earth. It looks as though the Mother Nature is telling me to buy coal, gold and silver. You see, my main motivation in life is making money. All the time, I think of how to make it in large quantity (forget the spending part). I also believe that our government is the least interested in preserving its value of its currency and in fact wants it depleted steadily and stealthily so that they can payoff their previously accumulated debt by monetization. Poor common man, he doesn’t understand this cunning macroeconomic activity of depreciating the purchasing power behind his back. He is forced to work harder and harder only to receive an income which buys less and less. My attention is now diverted to the silhoutte of the mystic poet Thiruvalluar. He sits there with a grin on his face (is my imagination running riot). I vaguely remembered that he is the author of 1330 couplets which he put together and named it Thirukural. While young, we were asked to memorize a significant portion of them. At that time it didn’t mean a thing. But now a major transformation took place in me. I suddenly realized that I am meeting the guru who transformed my life. Like the old film songs, his couplets which had stayed deep in my mind suddenly saw a fresh meaning. It astounded me more when realized that his teachings (ARAM, PORUL, INBAM) are just a gateway to economic prosperity. You see, I am a deep admirer of Dr. George Soros a multibillionaire who made his fortune in the ever fluctuating currency market. He also wrote a book titled “ Alchemy of Finance” where he talks about the theory of reflexivity which in simple terms could be called “theory of greed and fear”. When you compare Thiruvalluvar writings under the title of Aram with George Soros “theory of reflexivity”, you will realize that 1000 years have gone by and nothing has changed. It is hard to believe that how could two people have the same level of understanding of human behavior. George Soros trading practices uses this theory and the result is a couple of billions to his bank account. My mind says “Eureka” (I have found it). I vowed that I will go back and reread Thirukural like I would read an investment letter from a top-notch brokerage house. Folks, can you see the transformation here? The dots are joined.

I now move slowly towards the guest house. I notice a freely rotating globe depicting all the major continents. My eyes looks to identify the middle-east. There it is, of course. I remembered that a few hundred years ago, the existence of Ottoman empire which over time got destroyed and this resulted in the emergence of countries like Syria, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Israel, etc. The British and the French schemed together and created these nations. I realized what a mess these countries are currently in! The Sunnis, Shias, Kurds and the Jews are now at logger heads with each other. The Sunnis of Syria and Iraq are currently fighting an internal war to create a caliphate (a state) and probably regain those glorious days. The process, though has killed several hundred thousand people first, during the Iran-Iraq war, followed by Saddam Hussain government of terror and the US intervention and now this. This time around it has the potential to grow into a major conflict. My mind sadly filled with a desire for more money asks the question “how do I benefit from the conflict”. Pop comes the answer buy oil, stupid. One part of the mind says it is immoral to make money from other people’s misery. The other part says who cares, if you don’t, somebody else will. I walk back thinking what a messy world we are in. You see America wants a war in the middle-east. They spend $ 700 bln every year on defense. If there is no war, it is a wasted effort. If nothing else, they should create a war. The US defense department awards contracts to companies like the Boeing, Northrup Grummen, Lockheed Martin, etc who love the war. My money hungry mind says who cares if Iraqi people are affected by the war. Buy the shares of these defense companies and expect their prices to go up significantly. How do I change this mindset which is hounding me all the time with investment possibilities?

Slowly I walk to reach the silhouette of Budhha. I have read many books about him and his teachings. He is the author of the current practices of mindless mind, live in the now and live in full awareness. Stay as a witness and watch the mind, he said. I want to desperately shift myself from my mind to the heart. I look at the tower of reflection which is ahead of me and ask myself whether it can resolve the crisis in my mind. Then I sat in the oval shaped pavilion and looked at the tower of reflection. In the meanwhile the sun had come out and the tower was glimmering in the sunlight. Is there a hope to humanity? If all the minds are focused on money and greed who will then have time and energy to look at life with love and compassion. My observation shifts towards the blooming flowers and the pigmy trees. The gentle breeze from the southerly direction touches my cheeks and make these plants move gracefully as though we are together in resolving this dilemma.

Slowly I get up and walk to the Ganapathy temple. Nothing in life starts without offering prayers to Lord Ganapathy. He is the most compassionate God and is easily pleased by cracking a bunch of 108 coconuts. His mother Parvathi and dad Shiva sits next door. I felt that it is better to ask Parvathi, the mother of the Universe, how I should transform myself. So I ask. Tell me, is it good to think and pray misery for the world so that my wealth level will go up? With a smile she says you think you are confused. She says “I am in a worse shape than you. You want money, go ask my son. You want peace and tranquility call out my husband’s name by saying Om Namashivaya. You see I don’t know either. At least they have clarity”.

I sit quietly at the Ganapathy temple and look at the herbal garden. I am now in full realization that I am sitting in a temple called the Great Lakes. A sense of belonging arises in me. I hear the birds chirping and the southerly breeze slowly settling down to an occasional outburst. My heart is filled with compassion and the lips keep repeating Om Namashivaya. I feel a great learning has begun and a transformation has taken place. I hear the voice of mother goddess. She is whispering into me with the message “Transform yourself. Don’t let the ego bother you. See with belief and you will see me”. What a day it has been and what an awakening! This incidence could be a story out of imagination for some and for others it is the story of the real, especially for me. Regardless of what it is, let us celebrate together and pray that our institution becomes the best seat of learning where existing knowledge is taught with passion while new knowledge is explored. Let us pray that this campus make every one of us transformed and we as academic community, teachers and students, strive towards achieving godliness. Valluvar, the spiritual poet has already said which I translate in English “what we learned is handful, what we have not learned is as big as the universe”.

Now I turn my attention to the principal architect who designed this facility with immense attention to every detail and possible. He has to be a person of extraordinary vision. When he was young, he went abroad, studied and became a scholar of international repute. Some divine energy forced him to bring to fruition an academic institution in his country of birth which will create managers of tomorrow. They will become instrumental in guiding the country to achieve higher levels of growth. When we talk with pride about our economic growth we are saluting such institutions which made it possible. Great Lakes belongs to this category. The architect has put all his heart into it in creating this facility and everything in this campus has his touch and if aware, you can see the warmth all around. It is not too often that we see in the history, men of such calibre appear in the scene and with a deep passion and devotion create a seat of learning which is top class in every sense of the word. Sir, Words of adulation do not do justice to your achievement. In my opinion you stand close to Dr. Martin Luther King, your adopted countryman. He dreamt that one day black and white will be treated equally in his country. His dream came true. You are not only man of words but you follow with action. Trading floor is your dream which you made it a reality. In the years to come posterity will speak with pride your contribution to Indian education. Every manager of tomorrow who went to school at the Great Lakes will be beholden to you as you are the principal architect in their life. Stern outside and soft inside like a caring mother (Sir, I know you) tough at the same time compassionate. Those who have fathomed you will know how the force of divinity is driving you and giving you the energy you need to accomplish the tasks you decide to undertake. Your hall mark expression will be “if it is not impossible it will be done”. Thank you Prof. Bala. I stand in admiration in what you do. My colleague’s opinion will not differ and your nephews and nieces adore you.

Finally, we normally assume that we need to see anything before we could believe but spirituality is teaching the opposite. It says believe first and then you see it. The stronger the belief the greater the vision. But believe requires trust and a deep understanding. I realize that I am one with the whole even though I think I am separate. Just thinking separate I cannot become separate. All that is needed is to cast aside, my ego, personality, body-mind complex and I am just a watcher, a witness. All the inner emptiness is immediately filled. This is the transformation that the Great Lakes has created in me and I thought that it is a worthy story to share it with others.

Early next morning, Prof. Bala decides to take a stroll around the campus. He was totally surprised about Bobby’s observation about the presence of a super energy whose manifestation is seen all around. This included flowers, trees, herbal garden, silhouette, etc. The sun was still behind the dark clouds and the gentle southern breeze was moving the tender branches of trees to dance. Suddenly he heard a voice calling out his name. He turned around and didn’t see anybody. Again he heard a voice now calling out his name loudly. The voice said “you have already forgotten my voice”. He realised it is his mom calling out for him. He was bewildered. How could this happen? The voice said “why you wake up so early and you look tired. Go back to bed”. Bala realizes that what Bobby said is real and starts conversing with his mother.

Bala: Mom, how come you are here? I am so pleased to hear your voice.

Mom: You may recall that when you completed your education in the US I told you that you should do good things to India, your homeland. I prayed that you did. See what you have done. You have fulfilled my dreams. In the years to come our families contribution to our land will be deeply cherished.

Bala: Mom I am confused. Why are we born only to die some day? Why do we believe that everything is temporary and then we get discouraged?

Mom: Son I have come here to teach a few things which I failed to do so when I was in physical form. Now that I am in an energy form I realize the importance of this message. Listen carefully.

God create people like you to serve humanity. It is his divine will. No matter how much you resist it, you cannot stop it. He will give you unlimited energy since it is his wish, you are doing.

You are not separate from God. You are god. All your activities will be godly and god’s wish. This is the principle of Advaita of Adhi Shankara.

Your creation of campus will bring immense joy and happiness to several generation of young people who will see your hand in every aspect of the campus.

Finally, with the presence Parvathi, Parameshwar, Vinayakar and Narayana this place is immensely blessed and will continue to be blessed for ever.

Bala: Are you saying this for real or am I imagining things?

Mom: Son, you haven’t changed a bit. Nothing seems to appeal to you other than knowledge gathered through books. Listen, there is supreme knowledge that no book can capture and that “believing is seeing”. When you strongly believe you will end up seeing it sooner or later. Now, go back to bed and catch up on your sleep. You have a morning 8.30 class and I am watching for you.

Bala: While alive you always kept me wondering from where you got this knowledge. Now, you continue to have his even in energy form. It puzzles me.

Mom: Son, I am the truth and nothing but the truth. Now go back to bed.

<< back to blog

About Us

TERM ZERO

Media

Rankings

Accreditations

NIRF

Campus

Blog

Annual Events

Full Time Programs

PGPM

PGDM

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

Corporate Programs

PGXPM

PGPM Flex

MBA in Business Analytics

Family Enterprises Management

Ranked 6 ^th

Faculty

Research

Centers of Excellence

Conferences

Campus Recruitment

Internships

Placement Reports

Leadership Series

Talent Listings

Ranked 6 th

Ranked 6 ^th