Interview with Bimal Kumar Sikdar: Unveiling the Transformative Power of the Mind
Bimal Kumar Sikdar, an Electrical Engineer and Public Policy expert, shares insights from his latest book, “Transforming Journey of Mind,” shedding light on the power of consciousness and interconnectedness to navigate life’s challenges.
Bimal Kumar Sikdar, a distinguished Electrical Engineer with post-graduation from IIT Kharagpur and expertise in Public Policy from IIM Bangalore & Maxwells Public Policy school, USA, embarks on a journey to explore the profound connection between the mind, body, and intellect. In his groundbreaking book, “Transforming Journey of Mind,” Sikdar delves into the essence of self-awareness, human perception, and the transformative paths that lead to a harmonious existence. Through his extensive academic background and deep understanding of consciousness, Sikdar offers readers a roadmap to unlock their true potential and lead a joyful, peaceful life free from conflict and division.
- What inspired you to transition from a hardcore Electrical engineer to exploring the realms of consciousness and human perception?
Ans An intriguing aspect of electricity is its invisible nature, yet it possesses immense power and yields highly visible outcomes. Similarly, throughout my life, I’ve been captivated by the notion that there’s an underlying force driving impact and shaping myriad aspects of existence.
Our complex system of existence operates seamlessly, with countless processes and stakeholders functioning continuously, generating remarkable outcomes with precision and consistency. This begs the question: What unseen power is at work behind this intricate system? This triggers my journey into the consciousness domain.
- Can you share a pivotal moment or experience that led you to delve deeper into the study of the mind-body-intellect system?
Ans I’ve noticed that some of the most beautiful thoughts come to me effortlessly, when my mind is completely still. In these moments of silence, the power of our mind-body-intellect system becomes remarkably evident, even if I wasn’t consciously aware of it. The inherent potential within us is immense. Sometimes, it feels like a floodgate opens, and thoughts pour out effortlessly, as if we suddenly gain insight into many things with remarkable clarity. The barriers between the writer, the content, and the creative process seem to dissolve, leaving us mesmerized by the revelations that unfold.
- How do you envision the integration of your insights into mainstream education to foster a more harmonious and innovative learning environment?
Ans Our current sequential learning system seems to have gaps. Children often encounter advanced concepts early on or miss out on crucial real-life experiences. This disconnect between classroom learning and real-life issues widens as we grow older.
We need to broaden the scope of education to include not only livelihood-focused subjects but also topics related to the quality of life and the interconnectedness & oneness of existence. It’s crucial to foster open-mindedness and original thinking by moving away from rigid ideology-based teaching methods.
Instead of relying solely on present-day knowledge, we should embrace the infinite possibilities of existence and remain open to change. Our education system should evolve to bridge the gap between experiential and academic learning, allowing students to fully engage with their surroundings. Speed and relevance should be key considerations in this new approach, even if it means starting with approximations and assumptions.
- In your book, you mention the importance of self-awareness. How can individuals cultivate self-awareness in their daily lives?
Ans We can understand consciousness as a continuous awareness of ourselves. Whether in a crowd, driving, or even in a dark room, there’s always a sense of alertness. Even in the moments just before fully waking up, we can sense our surroundings and identity.
This awareness is constantly present; there’s never a moment without it. It’s incredibly important as it forms the essence of who we are.
Lack of awareness and knowledge about the macro and micro issues of existence, coupled with ego, disconnects us from the reality of life. We may falsely believe that only what we know is true, disregarding everything else. Yet, in reality, so much is beyond our control—from breathing to time itself. It’s essential to recognize this interconnectedness rather than imagining ourselves as the sole controllers of our world.
- Could you elaborate on the concept of interconnectedness and its role in transforming our experiences and relationships?
Ans If we take a moment to observe the natural processes unfolding from sunrise to sunset, or delve into our inner journey within our Mind-Body-Intellect system, we’ll notice a remarkable sense of interconnectedness and harmony. It’s a system where individual components play their part, but the focus lies on the system as a whole. Everything within this system, from the smallest actions to the grandest events, influences each other in a cyclical pattern, maintaining balance and continuity without chaos or interruption.
Consciousness, both internally and externally, reflects this harmony found in nature. Despite the diversity of life forms, there’s a unified expression of oneness. From the tiniest organisms ( eg Elephant to earthworm both linked to same system of a tree)to the largest creatures, each contributes to the overall value of existence.
- As someone with a background in public policy, how do you believe your insights into consciousness and mindfulness can contribute to resolving societal conflicts and promoting environmental awareness?
Ans In the midst of today’s turmoil marked by division, conflict, stress, and anxiety, there’s an urgent need for innovative solutions to redefine our way of life. This shift can happen when we recognize the oneness and harmony of the consciousness that underpins existence, rather than constructing our own isolated compartments filled with personal conclusions and opinions.
Humanity possesses a remarkable system—the Mind-Body-Intellect—that we often overlook, unaware of its inherent capabilities and the unique feature of embedded oneness and harmony. Our current education system tends to focus primarily on practical matters,
neglecting the profound subject of interconnectedness and harmony, which is perpetually demonstrated by existence itself.
The environmental issue must be approached with a holistic perspective, recognizing the interconnectedness of all aspects. Fragmented solutions cannot effectively address the complexity of environmental challenges. Just as one unit of division and conflict in the mind can lead to widespread disturbances, so too can our actions contribute to significant environmental impacts.
- What advice would you give to individuals who are struggling with stress, anxiety, and inner conflicts in today’s fast-paced world?
Ans
It’s important to recognize that the chaos, stress, and tension we perceive are not inherent in the world around us but within ourselves. Nature operates with precision and grace, fineness, from the gradual emergence of morning light to the synchronised rhythms of all activities. This contrasts sharply with the abruptness of man-made mechanisms.
Despite the seamless functioning of our mind-body-intellect system, during challenging times, our perception shifts, leading to the proliferation of thoughts, comparisons, and conflicts. This initiates a journey into stress and anxiety. To overcome this, we must deepen our understanding of our internal processes and the broader issues of existence.
Knowledge empowers the mind to expand, offering solace during times of stress. By embracing moments of nothingness and silence, we reconnect with our innate consciousness, breaking free from the cycle of endless actions and disturbances.
We need to explore this presence of consciousness both in an outward and inward sense which is one with no division and conflict but everything is one, complete, and total which ends all anxieties.
