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Author Archives: philipp68

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How to correctly cut a carrot.

Pig vs Carrot

October 19, 2013 by philipp68

This week I went to play cards with a couple of friends to a tipical Swiss restaurant in Zürich. They were advertising a “metzgete”: Back in the old days a “metzgete” was a necessity to survive the long winter. Because there was not enough food to feed both the family and the livestock, some of the animals were slaugthered in autumn. With only basic means to conserve the meat, most parts would go bad quickly. A big feast was organized. […]

Categories: Ruminations • Tags: Culture, Vegan

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Sketchnote: Coaching Essentials

September 8, 2013 by philipp68

I had the opportunity to attend a coaching seminar a couple of weeks ago. People from different companies and backgrounds attended, all interested in learning how to use coaching to create a more empowering working environment. It was interesting to feel how a well-meaning coach can act as a guide through our mind, each question triggering thoughts and emotions that could prove helpful to better understand, probably resolve a tricky situation. My hope is that the following sketchnote motivates you […]

Categories: Sketchnotes • Tags: Coaching, Emotion, Mind, Sketchnote

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Let your life be your message!

Your Life is your Message

July 25, 2013 by philipp68

How dreams are important, but solely focusing on the fruits of your dreams will make you unhappy.

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Action, Attitude, Bhagavad Gita, Mind, Wisdom

8

Seeing the good in the bad

June 5, 2013 by philipp68

A short introduction how dualistic thinking can make us unhappy.

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Buddhism, Dualism, The middle way, Wisdom

6

Sketchnote: Richard Feynman on Rubber Bands

March 27, 2013 by philipp68

I had a lot of fun watching famous physicist Richard Feynman explain how rubber bands work. Isn’t it amazing that even after winning the Nobel Prize, something as simple as a rubber band can put a big grin on Richard’s face? I drew this simple sketchnote to remind us how incredible complex, beautiful and a little crazy the physical world is. I hope that the next rubber band you encounter will put a big smile on your face. Making us […]

Categories: Sketchnotes • Tags: Nature, Physicist

2

Commit to your dream

March 14, 2013 by philipp68

An evening a couple of months ago my godchild called. “I would like to quit high school and start an apprenticeship*. Do you think this is a good idea?” she asked. “Why would you want to stop studying and start working?” I asked surprised, tired of a long day at the office. “You know,” she said, “I want to experience what real life feels like. It’s not about the money. I have this dream…” “Let’s talk about your dream!” Had […]

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Attachment, Bhagavad Gita, Compassion

2

Sketchnote: Amy Cuddy on how your body shapes who you are

March 5, 2013 by philipp68

We all experience moments of insecurity: A job interview, standing in front of a large group of strangers, teaching our first Yoga class. Often this insecurity shows in our body language, our state of mind affecting our posture. What if we could affect the way we feel by acting out a power pose for a couple of minutes, helping us preparing for a stressful, social showdown? In her TED talk “Your body language shapes who you are” Amy Cuddy explains […]

Categories: Sketchnotes • Tags: Body, Mind, Sketchnote

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Sketchnote: Andy Puddicombe on meditation

February 27, 2013 by philipp68

A friend had recommended watching the presentation “All it takes is 10 mindful minutes“. So the other day I sat down in my comfortable chair in the living room with my notebook on my lap and started sketching. Andy does an excellent job at de-mystifying meditation. To quote the New York Times: “Andy Puddicombe is doing for meditation what Jamie Oliver has done for food!” Andy wrote the book “Get Some Headspace” and runs a website about mediation. I really like […]

Categories: Sketchnotes • Tags: Emotion, Meditation, Mind

5

Sketchnote: Nigel Marsh on how to make work-life balance work

February 17, 2013 by philipp68

I just finished “The Sketchnote Handbook” by Mike Rohde and decided to practice my listening and sketching skills watching “Hot to make work-life balance work” by Nigel Marsh. Sketchnoting is like Yoga for people who like to draw: You are fully emerged in the experience, because mind and body are closely working together to create a personal, artistic expression. It’s a lot of fun and trains your mind and hand. Watch Nigel’s talk! My sketchnote might make more sense to you […]

Categories: Sketchnotes • Tags: Balance, Modern Workplace, Sketchnote, The middle way

2

Finding the Being in the Doing

February 13, 2013 by philipp68

One of the secrets to our wellbeing is to find the balance between being and doing. To be ourselves, to connect to the things that make us happy, we need to learn to simply be. Cleaning out a busy schedule or taking a long vacation will help, but ultimately we will need to find the being in the doing. How we got busy The natural state of an infant is to be. There is nothing to do, no expectations to […]

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Action, Being, Bhagavad Gita, Doing, Emotion, Karma

8

The three pots

January 12, 2013 by philipp68

Early in January, while thinking about possible new years resolutions, I stumbled across the story of the three pots by Pema Chödrön. “This is it!” I thought. “An excellent reminder I can print out and stick to the wall behind my desk. Reminding me to keep a calm, open mind. Allowing me to fully experience all the good and bad things that will happen to me in this New Year.” The three pots Each of the three pots represents an […]

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Attitude, Buddhism, Emotion, Mind

3

Playing games to learn for life

December 20, 2012 by philipp68

Playing a game like Monopoly with a couple of friends can be all joy and laughter, as long as no one gets too attached to the outcome. The moment we become desperate to win, anger and frustration can surface and turn a simple game into an awful fight between friends. This desperate attachment to succeed is often present in our life. We think that more status, money or fame will help us to win in life. Life is not about […]

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Attachment, Emotion, Gamification, Meritocracy, Modern Workplace

9

The Circle of Power

December 4, 2012 by philipp68

We often think that life and work gets easier, if only we were in charge, had more control over our environment and the people around us. Power feeds the ego and for a moment it will feel great. But as soon as that feeling wears off, we will look for the next step up the career ladder, starting an endless journey for power. Power per se is nothing bad, but power alone can never be the goal. We first need to learn to […]

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Bhagavad Gita, Modern Workplace, Power

5

Inviting a monster for tea (or beer)

November 16, 2012 by philipp68

With tears in my eyes I finished the powerful children’s book A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and Jim Kay. It tells the story of 13-year-old Conor O’Malley. His mother has cancer; he is terrified to lose her. The failure of anyone to address the reality of the situation exacerbates Conor’s bewilderment, anger, frustration, guilt and internal loneliness. Then one night, after one of his nightmares, he is visited by a terrifying monster – a yew tree in his garden […]

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Compassion, Emotion, Fear, Heart, Monster

8

Losing and finding paradise

November 5, 2012 by philipp68

Everything we experience triggers an emotional reaction. When something feels bad our mind tends to fabricate a complicated story, telling us what object or person to blame for the bad feeling. Emotions are important guides we should carefully listen to. What we tend to forget is that the story our mind fabricates is dependent on what we believe, our current emotional state and cultural background. In many situations it is our mind that is creating most of the drama, when […]

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Action, Bhagavad Gita, Illusion, Mind

2

The Jar of Life: First things First

October 17, 2012 by philipp68

When life overwhelms us, when our mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and we are afraid to go under, it is important to refocus on what is truly important and dear to us. The story of the “Jar of Life” tells us that even if our life feels full, there is always room for an evening with friends or family. Why stories are important When life gets tough a simple, well told story or metaphor can help us look at […]

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Decision, Wisdom

302

Laugh more – Laugh wisely

October 1, 2012 by philipp68

I just came back from a 3 hour a day laughing holiday. The laughing part was completely unexpected and very welcome. A big hug to all In Sabina Yogis for this wonderful week! It made me realize how laughter creates a strong bond between complete strangers, bridges cultural differences and helps us connect to our inner kid, our true self. Let’s find out how we can bring back more laughter from our childhood to adult work and life. Your inner […]

Categories: Life & Work • Tags: Heart, Laughter, Modern Workplace

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  • The Jar of Life: First things First
    The Jar of Life: First things First
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  • The Pleasure Purpose Principle
    The Pleasure Purpose Principle
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    The three pots
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    Finding the Being in the Doing
  • The Bhagavad Gita Part 1: Facing a difficult Decision?
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