Darwin’s Theory and The Portfolio Life

During the first lockdown in 2020, I remember, all my talks and workshops had one dominating theme – Adaptability. My response as well as that of humanity at large had surprised me no end. At one end of the spectrum were those adding joy, cheer and helping out others selflessly. At the other was fear, darkness and hopelessness.

Darwin’s theory of Evolution by Natural Selection seemed to have been forgotten by mankind. The theory states that The best adapted individuals will survive the ‘struggle of life’ and will pass their successful characteristics onto their offspring. But Here’s where I think Darwin got it very very wrong - The inheritance of physical characteristics able to cope with the ‘struggle of life’ is referred to as ‘natural selection’.

Survival through hundreds or thousands of years, a decent time frame for significant physical evolution, surely depends upon our survival in the here and now. These physical characteristics may be of the least consequence in case of immediate changes. To tackle which, it is our mind that needs to be adaptable and flexible. To be able to comprehend, absorb the change that lies in front of us and then formulate the most viable survival tactics in response to it.

In cases where the mind is highly evolved, the mind does so with relative ease, on the go, and may be able to thrive. We see this in highly successful people such as #WarrenBuffet #RatanTata, sports and movie stars #MSDhoni #ChristianoRonaldo #AmitabhBachchan. Or those who survived through unimaginable odds such as #ViktorFrankl.

When I read this magnificent article by Ravi Venkatesan on building a “portfolio life”, it triggered the same idea. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/mindset-matters/get-out-of-the-job-rut-and-embrace-a-portfolio-life/

To be able to adapt well, personally or professionally, I believe we have no choice but to have a holistic view. I define a holistic view as simply considering all influencing factors in play and ignoring none. This has awareness at its crux. Awareness of:

• Our own mind, body and life
• The world. Geo-political affairs, economic trends, ecology, nature and its phenomenon. As well as our relationship with the world.
• The Universe. This is more about the subtle aspects rather than physical. Universal laws, truths and where we stand in the larger scheme of things.

With such awareness, adaptability can become a natural trait. Because change is a natural phenomenon, so is the cause-effect dynamic or co-creation and interconnectedness. Adaptability, then, involves the requisite raw material at all these three levels.

Of late we have seen rapid, sweeping changes, such as in the employment scenario, geo-political upheavals, climate change and the rise in lifestyle disorders. One can only surmise those that might loom large upon our world. This scenario leaves us with little choice but to level up our own game, namely that of preparing and transforming ourselves.?

This calls for a shift in focus to our own selves, as a first step. Our own wellbeing, health, and happiness, as the fundamental basis of our existence. Not as an option or dependent entity to external factors.

The one tool that I can recommend to you for this preparation is to Meditate. Everyday.?Because it is not in the games arena that we prepare for our victory, but in the preparation grounds.

Best wishes,

Aikya