Issue #72- Shunya: Beginning or the end?

The startup world is influenced by books and the management styles they lay down.

Zero to One is one by Peter Thiel is one such book.

The idea is simple: you’re starting from nothing (zero) and need to start growing (one and beyond).

But in the journey of self-growth, the rules are different.

A successful entrepreneur named Jim Brown was tired of his routine.

He yearned for personal growth and fulfilment.

His search for meaning eventually led him to a Tibetian Monastery.?

“I want to learn. I want to grow. I want to be happy. Please guide me.”

He requested the old guru.

“Sure, but do understand that this is not the world you come from. Rules here are different. You will be taught for 1 hour every day. The remaining 23 hours are for applying what you learn.”

“I am ready. I will do whatever you say.”

“Good. Welcome home, student. Your first lesson begins now.

Chant the word ‘Namo’ for an hour.”

The guru left, not looking behind.

Jim sat on the floor, closed his eyes, and started chanting ‘Namo’

He kept his word and stopped after an hour and saw the guru standing in front of him.

“Jim, Namo means to bow. To give respect.

Until tomorrow’s lesson begins, you will keep bowing whenever you pass any monk in our monastery.”

Jim did that enthusiastically. He kept bowing and respecting all monks whenever he crossed their path.

23 hours later, it was time for the second lesson.

“Chant the word ‘Namo’ for an hour,” instructed the wise guru.

Jim was a little angry, but not wanting to question the guru, he did what he was told.

An hour later, the guru appeared and instructed, “For the coming day, bow down not only to the monks but everyone in the monastery: volunteers, guests, and staff members.

Jim felt awkward but was confident that this would eventually go somewhere.

Day 3 and 4 were no different. His lesson was chanting ‘Namo’ for one hour.

But each day, the guru increased the number of bows.

On the third day, he asked Jim to bow down to all plants, trees, animals, and even the fires of the monastery.

On the fourth day, the radius expanded to include inanimate objects like desks, chairs, beds, clothes - everything that Jim used.

Then came the learning he was waiting for.

“Jim, unless you bow down in respect and gratitude to everything and everyone around you, you will not realize how tiny you are.

And once you start the process of making yourself smaller and eventually discover you’re zero/ nothing, you unlock your infinite powers.”

We are Jim. And one day, we too, will realize that not only do we start from zero, but we will end at zero, too.

Like it or not, we’re all headed there.

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