Information alone does not create Transformation.

Ask Avinash Ananda

This is a series of questions and answers where the questions are asked by participants of Avinash Ananda's "live" seminars and workshops, and the answers are transcribed from Avinash's responses.

Question from Hemant:

Hello Avinash,

I was going through the videos in your Emotional Mastery Program in which you said these three vital things :

1) "Information alone does not lead to Transformation."

2) "Information × Introspection leads to Interaction."

3) "Inspiration leads to Ideation. Ideation leads to Intention. Intention leads to Implementation which finally leads to TRANSFORMATION."

Could you please explain the three points above?

Avinash Ananda Answers:

Information alone does not create Transformation.

The word "Communication" etymologically comes from a Latin root "Communicatus" which means "to share and participate". This means it is a two-way process. It needs continuous engagement.

Human history is divided into ages, right from the Stone Age through the Agricultural Age and Industrial Age to the Information Age. The world moves ahead. What's next? Some say it's the Knowledge Age, but I prefer to call where we are today as "The Age of Experience" and I predict optimistically that this will transition, one day, into "The Age of Wisdom".

Information is available in plenty. Sometimes too much of it. "Connectivity" has increased but "Connectedness" is missing. People are yearning for more experiences that give them a feeling of connectedness and people also want more relevant knowledge that can be customized and applied to enhance the quality of their individual lives. Not just general information.

Today your smartphone is smarter than you in the accumulation, storage, processing, and retrieval of information. Yet people are unhappier than ever before. And simply having access to a virtually unlimited library of information cannot create transformation.

Cigarette smokers "know" that cigarette smoking is bad for health. This "knowledge" or "information" does not make them stop smoking.

Education should not be only about telling people what to think or about the accumulation of information. Education should also be about showing people how to think better and more clearly, making them want to think and find answers for themselves, and helping them find ways to execute the answers efficiently and effectively to enhance the quality of their life experience.

Entertainment should be a part of the process of transmitting Education so that learners enjoy the process. Reflection should be encouraged, as should be Dialogue in the Socratic form of asking questions and seeking answers. Enhancing conceptual understanding, expanding perceptual capabilities, providing memorable takeaways, and giving simple, practical action-points with clear goals and benefits should all be a part of any learning experience. Learning should be immersive and effortless. Today even dentists claim their technology makes tooth-extraction a relatively painless experience. That kind of technology should be there for Education.

So we created the research-based learning system of Alignment Coaching, based on the applied behavioral science of Meta Mind Alignment, the new science of Leadership and Happiness. This includes Improv Theatrics as a unique engagement-oriented training methodology that is focused on creating memorable immersive experiences for the students. The goal is for deep learning and fast learning to happen automatically through this process.

With this system, you will have the "information" presented in a clear and enjoyable way. Then you are triggered gently to do some introspection through the carefully designed learning experience... then you will have some questions ( "inquiry") and will want to discuss it ( "interaction"). Now, with the answers, you will have flashes of relevant "ideas"! There will be moments of "insight", and some will be "inspirational" enough for you to make some decisions ( "intention") and finally, to take some action ( "implementation"). Sustained and repeated appropriate action will create new empowering habits.

All this will result in the desired mindset shifts and consequently, enduring behavioral "Transformation"!

Hemant, when you attend the upcoming International Motivational Speaker Certification Program in August which you have enrolled in, the information you have just read above will become a real experience for you. And the goal of the program is for you to also be able to create this Transformation for others!