Musings on Sathsangh....

Dear All

It was my 38th birthday yesterday.....!! Normally I excuse myself from the routine on my earlier birthdays - even to the extend of taking leave from school / college / office however, this time it was not so. It was quite an unique experience to be at office at 12 Midnight being at night shift.... - Friday !!

My team at office had organized for a celebration which started off with presenting me a jumbo sized greeting card which was presented to me at my workstation and i was invited to the big meeting room where all had gathered. It was good to cut cake in front of a big team and to get two wonderful books as a gift for my birthday. The next one hour went in responding to the birthday wishes of the team at Coimbatore which used to report to me in the earlier stint.....!!!

As I stood in front of the team here before cutting the cake, I was staring at the smiling faces intently unable to verbalize what was going on in my head. This team which gathered me last month end for my cascade meeting was not exactly the same as they are standing right now....there are at least one or two changes in the composition of the team - barest minimum - couple of absentees either on the prior occasion or now !!

And, the team that will gather up at the end of June for the current month official cascades too will be modified a little bit....!! With this type of modifications happening without our volition is an excellent reason why we should be intense and focused in every meeting....!! When I moved to this company six years back, I could not get adjusted to the dynamics of ITES world easily.....It was funny to see the changes that keep happening quite often particularly in people front....!!

Myself changing to different teams / processes in the past 6 years - and by coincidence my 6th stint now !! - have become lot more wiser and acceptable to these changes. Its not about getting used up to changes and becoming indifferent about these changes or getting into "I know all" syndrome....but ...its about learning about the importance of the current moment and the current people with whom we are associated with - in the subtlest possible manner....!!

In particular, the team that reports to me currently (little over 110) has developed a scare along with lot of affection towards me !! Sensing this, I have tried to make myself easy as much as I can and crack jokes at every possible opportunity but may be my blank stare at late comers (during meetings) and incoherent answers (to questions posed)has made these people to feel bit scared about me...!! Let it be so...some times, it helps !!!

Well, coming back to the title - as I stared at the team with indescribable feelings - realising the pointlessness of speaking about the uniqueness of the moment - picked up the plastic knife to cut the cake. Amidst "happy birth day" song, it was crystal clear to me that what in spiritual circles is called as "sathsanghs" can happen at office environments too...!! When you are very sure its an unique moment that can never happen again with the same set of people and at the same time and date ..... it has got to be a special moment.....AND the group gathered ought to be labelled as "sathsangh".....!!

May the next year of my life - which got started already - be lot more gripping and enticing.....!! Krishnaarpanam.....I remain....

Suren