Critical Thinking – Think beyond our imagination

We have been believing in God since childhood because our parents have been following us in the same way. Never felt the need to quantify or question the existence of God, but critical thinking has inspired us to think ‘Is God really there or not?’ Religion or our religious beliefs always prevent us from doing wrong things, yet there are riots or fighting somewhere in the world, so we should think that we should follow such ideas so that we are not harming others.
Our guest Vardan sir gave us a new direction of believing the right things by answering our questions patiently, I learned from him that it is ok if we do not follow any religion but it is wrong to blindly follow any religion without knowing it. He also said that sometimes we get confused while taking decisions in life, and then we can take decisions according to what is right in that situation. Apart from the Guest session, I liked to read Sir’s blog which is in detail of description about GOD & atheists.  This session played a very important role in changing my beliefs.

We are grateful to our facilitator for this beautiful experience. and journey of Critical thinking which I can surely apply in my personal life & professional life as well.

With Gratitude,

Kunjan Gandhi

 

Critical Thinking – Reflection

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens

The last two sessions started with a discussion on Religion and religious beliefs. We were shown images as an activity where we had to reflect on our understanding on religion, followed by defining God, religious beliefs, rituals, customs and traditions and spirituality. Also there was a lot of discussion done for identifying the constraints in the pursuit of knowledge. During the discussions, I have observed people grappling with questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the validity and authenticity of various religious traditions, the role of religion in society, and how to reconcile their personal beliefs with the beliefs of others who may hold different views.

I think I still have a lot of questions about it but I am sure that critical thinking if practiced well will help me find answers to my approaches and interpretations to religion.

Where did your values and principles come from?

Today I completed my second season with Critical Thinking. In the last season I lost my “faith in God” and I thought I have lost all my grounds. But here I am successfully completing my second season. Not only that, I am really proud of myself the way I have turned out without “my faith in GOD”. It’s not that I was not thriving earlier but the fear of letting go of something to gain something – was something I had never done before.

Today when I hear anyone talking about how religious they are and how religiously they follow the practices- my response is – great – good for you!! and I move on. The reason I don’t try to change or question them, just because I have got my share of clarity is because -I took my own time and processing to come to this stage. I don’t want to take that right away from them. It’s a journey of evolution, self introspection and enlightment so it is better the individual experience it themselves at their own pace. During my evolution journey someone once told me – speed doesn’t matter – as long as you are growing. (PS – I have already expressed my gratitude to that someone.)

Saying that it doesn’t mean I don’t have any values or principles. I do and I very religiously follow them but the difference is – they are my selected ones – not imposed on me by anyone or anything. Thanks to the CT sessions and especially my facilitators for guiding me to create my own ground with my own set of values and principles. This is one of the victories for me at many levels – which is another story to tell. But by choosing “my own set of values and principles” I am not only enjoying the freedom with purpose I am role modelling the same for my kids.

Everyone knows to think just be little critical to start off. CHOOSE YOUR OWN GROUNDS.

 

Your EQ could matter more than your IQ

The ability to understand feelings from moment to moment is crucial to psychological insight and self understanding.

Daniel Goleman

 

 

Over the course of time I understood that when emotions run high, they change the way our brains function…diminishing our cognitive abilities, decision-making powers, and even interpersonal skills. Understanding and managing our emotions (and the emotions of others) helps us to be more successful in both our personal and professional lives. 

 

At a personal level, emotional intelligence helps us:

  • Have uncomfortable conversations without hurting feelings.
  • Manage our emotions when stressed or feeling overwhelmed
  • Improve relationships with the people we care about

At work, emotional intelligence can help us:

  • Resolve conflicts 
  • Coach and motivate others
  • Create a culture of collaboration
  • Build psychological safety within teams

 

I actually wondered how is it possible? 

 

Well these sessions have helped me understanding that how being an emotionally intelligent person makes you stand out of the crowd. On the top of it, I learned that mindfulness is a key tool in understanding ourselves, our own thoughts and feelings and what is important to us. Mindful conversation and techniques of dealing with triggers have actually helped me in handling unpleasant situations in life. The knowledge of Self motivation and it’s elements have made me stay more focused on the purpose of my life and my vision crystal clear.  

Emotional Intelligence: A key to inner self

Shivali Ladhani’s reflection
Emotional intelligence involves the ability to recognise and regulate one’s emotions. This means being able to manage one’s emotions effectively, rather than being controlled by them. This ability will help be more optimistic and manifest for a better future.
Visit to the orphanage was indeed a very memorable experience. I was amazed to see the kids so positive there inspite of being in the orphanage. This helped me realise how lucky I’m and should stop cribbing about little things. What struck me most was while leaving, a kid first whispered, “mat jao” and then in person twice or thrice he came told, “mat jao” I wish I could stay there a little more and make them enjoy.
A big THANK YOU to Nandini ma’am and Evelyn ma’am for giving this opportunity and helping us be emotionally intelligent.
It will take persistence and commitment to master the skill

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It involves being self-aware and attuned to our own emotions, as well as the emotions of those around us, and using this information to guide our thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
EI encompasses a range of skills, including emotional awareness, empathy, self-regulation, motivation, and social skills. It is a valuable tool that can help us build stronger relationships, communicate more effectively, and lead happier, more fulfilling lives. EI can also play a significant role in our success in the workplace, as individuals with high levels of EI are often more successful in their careers and better equipped to handle stress and challenges.

1 2 3 4 7