We often spend more time focusing on our weaknesses than fine-tuning our strengths. So, how do we go about better understanding ourselves and how we work? Here is the solution. The book, Into Great Depth of Your Being, takes you on an experiential inward journey into your thoughts and emotional formations, patterns, motives and habits. The author, Arul Dev has been exploring his inner since 1994 to discover and teach pathways of experiencing spirituality, purpose, values and potential fulfilment. We caught up with him to know more about the book and his journey. Excerpts:
Why did you choose to write about self-awareness and integral development?
I have been in the field of self-awareness and inner-to-outer development for 22 years. I started teaching and training people in 1995. During the first few years, I was doing skill-based training. Then I started offering inner psychology and change workshops. The last ten years I have been exploring the path of integral or holistic development and teaching the same. This is the path where a human can learn to transform their mind, emotion, energy and maintain a healthy physical, and offer all their strengths to do deeper work and contribute to their institutions and the society.
How is the book beneficial to students who want to choose a career?
Students today are largely lost when it comes to making a career choice that would truly fulfil them and contribute their unique aspirations and talents to the world. Often, the ‘inner fire’ they feel when in school, is lost soon after they enter college. Even when they opt for career guidance, they feel that each one gives a different viewpoint and they end up being confused. The book is written in an experiential manner, such that by reading and following the tiny practices and exercises, students will notice the unfolding of some purification and development of their life energy. The book then explores the mind and reveals how to cull out one’s unique purpose from the many diverse goals students may have. It helps them clarify the required skills, attitude and strengths they need to build objectively to fulfil their purpose and excel in their work and life.
How do you plan to inculcate integral education methodologies in institutions?
We are following a two-pronged approach of bringing this awareness and the methods to both teachers and students. First, we give the experience of integral education – the total development of mind, life energy, physical and deeper self. This we do by encouraging people to research and explore the book, Into Great Depth of Your Being, and also by participating in workshops based on the book. Our mission is to help teachers and students first experience the eight parts of being distinctly within them and understand its resources.
Do you think spirituality can be imparted through a book?
Personally, spirituality is an inner connection with a higher presence and power, and the faith that comes prior or following this connection. Spirituality cannot be imparted, in my experience, but it can be invoked, which means that when a spiritual state or experience is described through a book or in person, the corresponding inner state awakens in those readers who are ready for it. The state that is reinforced in the reader or the listener is often unique from what was originally shared.
What do you think are the common problems students face in this time and age?
College students struggle a bit more with becoming aware of their parts of being and mastery over the same. At this time of growing up, we notice a vast majority of students develop some sort of addiction. When they turn to their teachers and parents for support, they don’t often get the true understanding or the solutions. The solution is very simple. Just as subjects are taught, self-awareness and integral development should be taught in every school and college. If the students can understand their parts of being and learn to counter their lower pulls and be anchored on their higher nature and aspirations, they can be the harbingers of a new society.
