KATHMANDU: Learning and sharing have been my life’s passions. However, it took 18 years of working in different jobs to finally discover that I could choose training and writing jobs to fulfil my inner calling. While training together with world class trainers, I am always learning from them. Also, I can share the learning that has inspired me with my audience. Here I am going to do the same. It is a joy to

share with you some simple yet profound insights that I recently received from one of my much admired trainers — Nithya Shanti. It is

concerned with human resource and life purpose.

Nithya Shanti is renowned for his work that blends the wisdom of ancient scriptures with contemporary issues. Nithya, who studied human resources (HR) from XLRI, has worked in the field of HR and corporate strategy. When an HR professional asked for his advice to budding HR professionals, Nithya answered, “Remember that HR stands for helping humans return to source. Rather than manipulating people to attain organisational objectives, it’s about helping people dis-cover their genius and find purpose. Remember that a ‘job’ is a chore you do so you can pay the bills. A ‘career’ is motivated by money, prestige and advancement. And a ‘calling’ is work done as

an end in and of itself. Help people discover their calling.”

Besides being HR person, Nithya has also been a Buddhist monk and undergone rigorous meditation practice for six years in remote forests across South East Asia. He was once asked: “How was your learning from university different from the learning you received as

a Buddhist monk?” His reply was, “One was concerned with getting a good job and the other with doing a good job.” This simple answer stimulated my mind for many days. Are we getting a good job or doing a good job? Are we just living or living a purpose? Our quality of life is determined by the answer to these questions.

Being in HR is very challenging. Helping people find their purpose cannot be effective until we live our purpose. The crucial question is how we can discover life purpose. Is there any formula? Nithya loves to talk in short and simple sentences: “The purpose of life is to find the purpose of life.” Well, this may seem confusing to many. So, let me quote some simpler ones that would help get a glimpse of life purpose:

• What is the one per cent of your life that gives you 99 per cent of the results?

This is your genius, your purpose.

• Find one single word or quality that most inspires you. Make it your purpose.

• The purpose of life is to be alive. So, do whatever makes you come alive.

• Do the work where your deepest gladness meets the world’s greatest hunger.

There is a sense of fulfilment in performing something of one’s passion, and moreover in helping others find their passion or purpose. I am enjoying the delight of both right here.

(The author is a leadership trainer and consultant associated with ‘Kabule — The Wise Leader’ and ‘Catalyst for Transformation’. He can be contacted through kabule@mos.com.np)