The Values Workshop

Our guest is an avid and curious student of Artificial Intelligence and the various ways it is probably going to impact us and the next generation. I get to ask him all kinds of questions on the subject, ranging from the immediate fears we have about AI taking over our jobs to the dangers it brings up in a volatile world. It is a wonderfully educative and well-reasoned chat, with lot of little thi...

I have the good fortune to talk to a travel enthusiast with a difference. He literally takes the path less travelled. He chooses conflict zones, tribal areas, wildlife and conservation related spaces, war zones and has met an unbelievably large variety of humans - some of them on the other side of the law as well. His prejudices, he says, have gradually reduced, and he finds his exploration fascin...

A new experiment in Random Contemplation unfolds in this episode. Starting with this, the three of us, Roopa, Manoj and I - discuss our views on the same questions and realise the converging points which seem common to all of us who seek meaning beyond the obvious. It works for me, in terms of offering novel content, and also helps open up layers of meaning and understanding which will hopefully b...

I chanced upon a rare opportunity to understand #homeopathy through one of the better practitioners I personally know. Dr Rajesh Shah, a consulting #homeopathicdoctor guides me through the thinking, the depth of understanding, the approach, the holistic view-point and the compassion which he tries to encompass through his #treatment . I loved the patience with which he handles my random yet pointe...

The only guarantee we have from the time we are conceived is our ultimate end, dissolution, non-being of this mind and body in this form - and yet, as we go into this talk, Roopa and me discover, Death is an idea which one can and perhaps should get used to. It is relieving, it is freedom, and it is perhaps a practical way to ready ourselves as much as possible to the inevitable. It is a genuine e...

We start with a deeper understanding of what stress means, and move on to many paths which can help decipher causes and probable ways to pause or stop the effects. A meaningful chat which throws light on Hemant Gupta's and my personal experiences and learning from them (and at times, perhaps avoiding to learn :). We admit our fallacies in this episode openly helping grow each other in understa...

We start a conversation tentatively exploring the impact of social media on our lives. #facebook #instagram #linkedin are of course a regular feature in our daily existence and suddenly, the conversation goes #existential of sorts. We discuss the varied levels of #reality in the way we live - virtual, real and, although I dread the word, #spiritual . In the end, I find random discussions are just...

There are thoughts, words and then there is experience. Rarely does one find words which are evocative enough to create an experience. This episode is one of sorts - a slow thinking movement into what transpires when we work with our own selves. The pace of this episode quietly and subtly gets into a mode, which hit me almost imperceptibly. Enjoy this experience of a deep and meaningful conversati...

Yes #womenssafety is topical but hasn't it been so for over so many years? With the recent heartbreaking incident, and the number of protestors, what seems to come out is the number of incidents which haven't been reported and continue to haunt so many women, men and all kinds of humans. I get to talk to Varsha Agnihotri Vadhyar, who covers much ground from personal responsibility for each...

Ajahn Jayasāro is a British and Thai Buddhist monk in the Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah. He travels around the world speaking to monastics and lay audiences on how to live a happy life, covering topics which are fundamental to Buddhists in their understanding of Buddha's teachings and how to apply them in a fast-changing world. In this episode, he takes us through an overview of Buddhism as p...

A quick chat on some nuances how we perceive gratitude, and the factors which impact it. Although of a short duration, it has quite a few interesting points, small stories, interesting anecdotes one can actually enjoy. We might do a longer episode on this subject some time soon. Do enjoy this sweet little chat. Looking forward to your reactions. For the video, check www.youtube.com/c/thevalueswork...

This one is as random a conversation can get - and yet there are many beautiful things which come up - not counting the fields and greenery one sees in this chat. One often has fixed ideas of what success has come to mean - and perhaps, there is a need to review our perspective - to be able to gauge what it is that makes us truly feel 'quenched' or satisfied. Do hear us talking on various...

Talking to other seekers in generally a high especially because many common themes are re-discovered. But what if we enter a territory explored not often enough - the vulnerable areas of 'not knowing', the 'being unsure', the 'losing it' when you just thought you had 'cracked the universal code'. It appealed to my friend and co-seeker Manoj Khatri, and we embarked o...

The topic is unusual, yes, but wait till you go through the take our young guest has on it, and you are sure to be surprised. Not always pleasantly. Why do I say this? Because we have an unusually clear and forthright girl here, who does not mince her words, has a clear point of view, is not afraid to state it as such, and actually is ready to bear the consequences of her thinking different. Hones...

The beauty of speaking to the young is that their clarity, their level-headedness, their 'can do' outlook starts to rub off on you. This particular episode with Chahat Hinduja, a brilliant #NID student, helps us look at the advantages of going beyond one's comfort zone. True to her age and attitude, she shows us an insider's view to her journey without romanticizing her struggle. O...

A no-nonsense straightforward kind of chat with a student about to begin his work life. Interested, curious, and clear about his intentions, he answers honestly about things with a practical point of view. Happiness, even in normal times, is difficult to describe - but thanks to his answers we are able to slice up the topic in many ways other than the traditional outlook of a topic like this. A sh...

Tender, innocent, honest, explorative, curious, uncertain but clear - this episode is all of this and more. And not by chance. The guest, Ireen Thomas, decides to go with the flow and responds to almost each and every word in my questions and we discover a beautiful mind who is willing to understand things and adopt new perspectives if they seem beneficial. I really loved the humanity she exhibite...

There is a joy in meeting fertile minds especially when they are about to begin their working lives and or are in the last few years of their formal academic education. Sanjeet, our guest, brings much happiness to this conversation by displaying a healthy sense of confidence, wisdom, curiosity and willingness to learn in equal measure. His ability to understand nuances and build upon them in this...

Our young guest is sorted and experienced in many varied ways in what is perhaps, the most important relation in the world: Friendship. He talks about being in a #boysschool, being hesitant with girls, then developing meaningful friendships with all kinds of people, the struggles which happen in every evolving relationship, besides also his understanding of transactional friendships, old and new f...

It is important to grow into being who you are. But how does one know? There are so many flaws and doubts and fears and insecurities - and well, you get the drift. Our guest, Jaanvi Haria, revels in this self-exploration-of-a-chat from the beginning of the conversation, and finds things about her mind, her creative process and comes home to some wisdom. What a beautiful person to speak to, what a...

There are many aspects which make any life rich. Rarely do we see the kaleidoscope for what it is, fascinated as we are by compartments. In this free-flowing chat, however, I and Sushma, a friend, talk about work, social service, seeking time for oneself, parenting, connecting with people, experiences and a whole lot more. It is a genuinely light, but deep conversation and reminded me of many emot...

A rare chance to speak with a person who has dedicated his life to the seeking even though he is not a monk. Getting off the beaten track, he has pursued his journey in meditation and seeking the truth for himself, for many years now. I choose to interact with him, and understand his reference points on 'what is meditation? Is it necessary? How does one deal with worldly success or the lack of...

'What is Love?' is perhaps the most difficult question to answer. Here I speak to Hemant Gupta who sportingly dives with me into the unknown, and explores the vastness of this tremendously important emotion. We dissect it with love, allowing duality, oneness, practicality, exposure to this word in professional life and many other ways. A Valentine Day conversation which goes much beyond th...

In a world which is being enamoured and fascinated by Artificial Intelligence, we take this chance to delve deeper into what is intelligence. This journey into understanding creates its own path - starting from what is a metaphysical and a 'heavy' discussion, it meanders into unknown paths throwing light on many interesting 'read', 'heard', 'experienced' versions an...

It is rare to come across someone who is so clear about her goals, and yet admits nonchalantly that she got it wrong some times. Without batting an eyelid, our guest, Khyati Bhatt, CEO of a one-of-its-kind company,  @SimplyBodyTalk , talks to us about being an expert in a different career choice, even while taking us through her journey of ups and downs till she found her passion. She is also kind...