The Art of War is a popular book written by Chinese General Sun Tzu some over 2500 years ago that is supposed to provide useful insights to students of Management on the fine art of Strategic Management. As a student of management I have always wondered if it is only the Art of war that we need to know to learn strategic decision making. And over years, I have realized that more than the art of war it is the art of peace that we need to learn decisions for taking strategic decisions for effective management of both organizations as well as life. The scenario today suggests rather clearly that humanity is on tenterhooks. The rising cases of dependence and anxiety are grim pointers to the state of affairs of the present as well as future. In fact, we are witnessing a strange predicament. We are developing guided missiles but unguided human beings; tall buildings but small people; a world where coffers are full but souls are empty. There is a need to ponder why? We are perhaps not at peace with ourselves and that is what explains the rise in incidences of neuroticism and stress related diseases. Lao Tse had famously said that if you are depressed you are living in past, if you are anxious you are living in future, if you are at peace, you are living in present. The problem certainly is with our thought process as peace is a state of mind. It is the calmness of mind that brings peace. How do we acquire this state of calmness of mind? It is the answer to this question that has to be found.
We need to know that nature of the mind alone determines the type of person we are. As we think, so we become is thus a very logical statement because our thoughts drive our actions. So we need to conquer the mind. That is the art of peace. What has to be the strategy? How to train the mind? But before looking for an answer to these questions we need to find out why is mind restless? Well, the simplest answer is that it is the nature of the mind. Thoughts keep on pandering and pondering. It is the disciplining of the mind that has to be done. While we all look to different techniques of meditation to train the mind we find it very difficult to practice them. Separating mind form self is not easy. Self and mind often go hand in hand, one pampering the other. But this does not mean that achieving mind control is not possible. With perseverance and dedication it can be achieved. There are some simple ways through which this can be done. One of the most time tested means is learning the art of self awareness. Look inwards to find yourself. For this we need to practice silence. The Maitre Upanishad says that there is something beyond our mind which lives in silence within our mind. As Osho says silence is the inner health, mind is the inner disease. Begin with practicing silence every day. This silence is the first step to spirituality. And silence not just of the external world, although, that is a prerequisite. However, the silence of the external world will not be of any use if the internal noises are not contained. So learn to enjoy the bliss of quietude.
shashwatchintan 