Blog

The Mantra retreat had begun in its 7th year. Our first presenter was Prasannatma, a very mild mannered physician originally from Andhra Pradesh, India. He shocked us with results from surveys revealing that of all the professions, doctors score high in encountering depression, burn-out. Last year 500 doctors committed suicide in America. It looks like those who help us require self-help.

Due to such results the presentation becomes relevant for any one, really, who lives or tries to function in a very depersonalized world. Prasannatma has developed effective systems for turning things around and helping professionals, or otherwise, from the tragedy of turning into toast. Burn out can happen to anyone, even those in the spiritual leadership category.

He was suggesting that people establish goals and purposes through a look at MVP meaning, values and purpose. Also he recommended that we identify our superpowers, strengths and talents. In a workshop fashion he asked us to determine our short term (one year) vision as well as that of the five year term.

There was also a suggestion to adjusting one’s culture to that of CHEER - C for celebration, H for hearing, E for engagement, E for executing coaching and R for review and recharge. Prasannatma keeps a personal SMILE FILE whereby you have a gratitude book and take note of positive and supportive exchanges have taken place. The ACTION PLAN for success are items like 1) focus 2) start small 3) celebrate 4) tackle hard tasks 5) be consistent. He also quoted our beloved Prabhupada re: self compassion who is order importance are a) health b) chanting c) service and d) reading.

Source: https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/mantra-s-first-presentation-2024