For those of you who have been following my blog posts or know me well you will have gathered that I have been on a journey of discovery over the years;  I liken it to the story of Siddhartha, the famous, mythical recounting of the journey of enlightenment of the Buddha, who the story outlines went through a series of experiences and challenges before finally realising the understanding the truth and source of suffering.

As I know on a more practical level, from being employed in factories to solve “unsolvable problems”, getting to root cause of any problem is a challenging exercise but involves a few key approaches:

1)      Make sure you really understand the exact problem. To do this you need to be very specific on the actual problem and be hyper attentive, detailed and observant about the nature of the problem, until you totally understand the nature of the problem.  Not only will this ensure that you have a clear understand the problem you are trying to solve, but you will also be able to prove you have reached root cause as it will be able to explain the fll nature of the problem and alleviate the issues highlighted in point 2

2)      You need to understand that it is human nature to be side tracked by symptoms fixes, conjecture and opinions that side track your ability to find the root cause.  In very complex, multi-dimensional problems, it is very easy to get sidetracked by a relatively small lever.  The optimal way to overcome this is to firstly be able to build a clear and accurate model of all the factors that link to the problem you are trying to solve and have clarity on how they all interact to determine the critical levers, then to be able to measure the actual characteristics of these levers v what they should be doing.  You can then identify the levers and test these against the nature of the problem you are trying to solve.  You will have cracked it if you can accurately explain all of the problem as outlined in 1).  Of course, this is much easier in scientific, measurable problem arena and much harder in more esoteric problems, nevertheless the same principles can apply to guide to root cause.

My deep experience in problem solving, I now realise I have been applying over the last 10 years to a problem that was so complex, it has been an epic marathon that has tested me to the very core….

The problem being: what is the root cause of unhappiness?  I will be sharing with you my journey of discovery, the realisations  I have made along the way, and the root cause that I have discovered.

I believe that if enough people read this journey and then take the action I propose, the entire will go through a magnificent positive social change for individuals, all other  beings and the entire planet we live on.

Enjoy!

About Mark Taylor….

Being Your True Self

Technorati Tags: happiness

This is a really interesting topic for me.  We are members of a tribe in our natural state, and this does create a natural urge to fit in to our community, and within reason this is a healthy trait as being a loner is not a great place to be.

Probably a better question to ask yourself is the degree to which you lose your true self in the process and compromise your own realness and authenticity.  It is my belief that if this is too compromised (in order to fit in), then you will in fact achieve the opposite, as at an energetic level, people will be unable to connect at a humanistic level as you, in its extreme level, have become unhuman, an actor or a charade of sorts.

About Mark Taylor….

Being Your True Self

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Interesting for me as I see from afar my nephew grow up.  Very similar to me and it is very easy to want to counsel/offer opinion on his journey.  One thing I have noticed is linked to the mechanisms we have put in place as a capitalist society that breed competitiveness and a significant attachment to success or failure of successful outcomes.  What is the issue with this? If your happiness is determined by outcomes, you are effectively settling for an up and down existence, with a heavy reliance on external factors out of your control.

Does this mean we should all stop trying to do our best and achieve.  Absolutely not, I fully endorse giving 100% to any effort you make and being fully committed, but that in itself is the definition of success.  The outcome is outcome, sometimes as you would like, sometimes not. It is what it is, but if you attach to the outcomes and this controls your life, you are in for a bumpy ride…

About Mark Taylor….

Achieving without attachment

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Went to a great evening last night.  A Kirtan evening with Dave Stringer.  I call it raving for yogis.  There is a bit of a Kirtan movement brewing in Sydney at the moment so if you are interested get in touch.

About Dave Stringer

“A volcano of a voice! Stringer transported us to another time and place. His fiery, soulful voice gave the entire room a feeling of a down-home gospel jam and one could not help but sing along.” — LA Yoga Magazine

The Los Angeles Times has declared the experience of chanting with Dave Stringer to be “a departure from ancient kirtan. Stringer’s performance shaped the experience into a far more compelling musical encounter.” Kirtan (pronounced keer-tahn) originated in India, and is currently experiencing a worldwide renaissance as a participatory live music experience. Stringer has been widely profiled as one of the most innovative artists of the new American kirtan movement in publications as diverse as Time, Billboard, Yoga Journal and In Style.

Stringer’s sound marries the transcendent mysticism of traditional Indian instruments with the exuberant, groove-oriented sensibility of American gospel, and he is regarded as one of the most gifted singers in the genre. Stringer, who is also an accomplished composer and multi-instrumentalist, has a special ability to bring people together and inspire them to sing. His work intends to create a modern and participatory theatrical experience out of the ancient traditions of kirtan and yoga, open to a multiplicity of interpretations, and accessible to all.

About Mark Taylor….

Kirtan evening with Dave Stringer

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Having been to the Kindness Revolution Event last July and had an enjoyable hour coffee catch with the founder, Jono Fisher, I can’t help myself but to dedicate a whole post to promote his events schedule for 2011.

If you are in Sydney and want to begin to wake up to a better way to live, then it is time to get involved!

Let me know if you are attending an event and I may well be there to say hello in person!

All the details from Jono below:

Welcome to Wake Up Sydney! and the Kindness Revolution 2011.

My focus for this year is simplicity. This means less screen time, more swims, walks and time with friends. I have also designed an entirely new event series that explores fresh ways of bringing timeless wisdom and kindness into our daily lives. This means you can kick back and enjoy a vibrant and diverse program of ideas, wisdom and inspiration – from spirituality to science, wellness to business and the arts. It’s all about rediscovering genuine happiness, quality of life and learning how kindness can transform us and our world. The events will be playful and uplifting while encouraging us to live wisely and kindly.  

Here’s the link to our new events page:
 
www.wakeupsydney.com.au/events.aspx

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Salon: Ideas, Films & Community

Firstly, I am going to experiment with a new event format called The Salon. A rich tradition that dates back to the 18th century. Salons of previous eras regenerated creativity, stimulated new ideas and inspired new movements for positive change. Our Salon will be less elaborate than our more spectacular large concerts – yet equally uplifting. Simply bring your good self and enjoy evenings of casual elegance offering on-stage talk shows, uplifting film screenings, kindness awards for local change agents…plus some fun surprises! You’ll also meet other kind, curious and open minded people over a drink or two.  It will tickle your mind and open your heart – a kind of cultural and inspirational jam session! 

Here are 3 pilot evenings to test the waters.

- Your Life Matters Talk Show with Petrea King: Womens Weekly called her an Angel on Earth; One of our most inspiring women
- Step Up and Lead Talk Show with Jeff McMullen:  Former 60 minutes/4 Corners journalist; now author, activist and adventurer. 
- Film Screening Premier: 2012: A Time For Change – a fresh view on 2012.

At only $25, these events will sell out quick!

To buy your tickets, visit:

http://wakeupsydney.com.au/events.aspx

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other Inspiring Events…

Conference: A Time For Renewal
23-24 July 2011
If you want to step out of your busy life and explore wellness, life purpose, creativity, kindness and conscious relationships then you will love this conference. A two-day celebration blending uplifting speakers, meditation, films, live music and participant-led activities. We’re inviting our favourite authors, artists, spiritual catalysts and change agents to share tools, stories and resources to renew your inner life. 130 places available.

Book your early bird tickets at:

http://wakeupsydney.com.au/events.aspx

Conscious Business Forum: Doing Well by Doing Good
15-16 October 2011
If you believe business can be a catalyst for creating a kinder and more sustainable world then this is your event. This forum is designed for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to make a difference while also making good profits. Blending personal stories, panels, networking sessions and practical skill sharing. A rare opportunity to gain insights and build connections with an exceptional network of peers. 130 places available.

Book your early bird tickets at:

http://wakeupsydney.com.au/events.aspx

Daylong Retreat: The Power of Kindness (Date TBC)
The Dalai Lama said kindness is my religion. Kindness is about living fully, loving openly and having the courage to trust yourself. It is also about exploring a new version of happiness based on acceptance and generosity rather than endless craving and accumulation. The day will be made up of a combination of mindfulness meditation, discussion and sharing. 

About Mark Taylor….

Wake Up Sydney – Events for 2011!

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By: Janardhan McIntosh – Prema Shanti Yoga and Meditiation Retreat

You become happy and fulfilled by being happy and fulfilled, focus on what you have, it becomes more, and likewise, focus on what you don’t have, and it becomes less. Practice the art of contentment, remember desire is anguish!  Desires are endless, as you fulfill one desire it is replaced by another, if your desires are not satisfied, anxiety, unhappiness results, you need to learn detachment and discrimination, when desires arise, discriminate between needs and wants, guard against the illusion that more equates to happiness, the challenge in life is always yourself, you choose happiness or sadness in this moment by choice, emotions come, then go, you are happy one moment, then sad the next, always a rollercoaster of emotions that control you. Once you awaken to the power of detachment, to discriminate between what serves you and what does not, you become empowered, no longer a victim to emotions and circumstances that engulf you, everything that occurs in your life is a lesson that needs to be learnt, once the lesson is learnt, it seldom re appears again. Happiness is a choice; fulfillment comes from following your heart, finding your passion, being excited by the challenges in life, having purpose and meaning in your life. If your life is dedicated to fulfilling only your own desires, you will never be content or happy; peace of mind will always elude you. To experience the highest joy, peace, and happiness, you need to live a surrendered life.

How can I be happy?

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By: Janardhan McIntosh – Prema Shanti Yoga and Meditiation Retreat

Peace of mind has two definitions: for a meditation practitioner it refers to the stillness that is experienced when the normal mind chatter slows and one experiences the innate peace that is ever present beneath the surface chatter of the mind. The Christ refers to this as the “peace beyond understanding” because you do not understand it, you experience it.

 For people who do not practice meditation it refers to the contentment that follows the ego gratification of the senses or actions completed, this feeling of contentment is temporary as the minds normal agitation quickly resumes its dominance.

What is Peace of Mind?

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By: Janardhan McIntosh – Prema Shanti Yoga and Meditiation Retreat

Is ?

By: Janardhan McIntosh – Prema Shanti Yoga and Meditiation Retreat

You will never be rich (financially abundant) by wanting, to want means to lack; by the very nature of the word wanting, ensures wealth will elude you. To desire wealth is inherent in human nature, good and bad are outdated concepts, there is awareness and lack of awareness, that’s all, every human being up to a certain level of awareness, desires financial freedom, it’s the prime motivator driving the evolution of civilization. Money is honey, its how you obtain it and what you do with it once obtained, is where the laws of karma comes into play. The more aware you become, the better choices you make with the abundance that has come your way. Ask yourself, does your financial wealth serve only yourself and immediate family, or do you utilize your wealth for a greater good? Listen to and follow the dictates of your conscience with all your financial choices.

Is wanting to be rich a bad thing?

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By: Mark Taylor – Managing Director – Keys To Success Club

It has certainly been an interesting six months since my last post.  Sometimes in life you need to go backwards to move forwards.

The two things that I’ve learned in the last six months is the importance of staying in your truth and secondly the importance of letting go.

Staying in your truth

The key question here is how often do you really stay in your truth?  To be able to stay in your truth represents the greatest challenge as-in means not only do you have to really know who you are and what you stand for, but you also need to be prepared to show this to the world whilst of course respecting others in the process.  You also have to face some real insights to yourself that Are not always pretty.

Letting go

I’ve had to face some major challenges in the last six months with certain elements not going according to plan.  In some of the instances I’ve had to face up to full accountability which has been painful at times and a great way to depower the ego.

Letting go does not been becoming a vegetable.  It is more about keeping things in perspective and being much more flexible with the ever changing landscape that we find ourselves in.

 One of the end results of this journey for me is that I have to really connect well with my heart not with my mind.  Whilst it has had been one of the most difficult periods for me, as I have really let myself be totally exposed and vulnerable at times, I am full of optimism because I now feel I can release my full power through better connection with myself and others around me.  Will let you know how I get on!

Living in the truth

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Positivity is a great aspiration and positive people are like magnets as many people are attracted by this type of energy.

Here are a few thought starters on this subject.

 Making Peace with Money: Positivity vs. Prosperity

Positivity vs. Prosperity. Last week I was watching the Daily Show with Jon Stewart and he had on author. Barbara Ehrenreich who says people can’t boost their immune systems or attract wealth with positive thoughts. …

5 ways to encourage positivity – The Engaging Brand

Positivity is contagious both within your mind and the minds of others. Here are 5 ways to encourage a more positive approach Listen to your words – think and say positive words. We do, what we think. Remove ‘can’t, ‘won’t',…

How to Overcome Your Worries: 5 Timeless Thoughts from the Last …

The answer may not result in positive thoughts, but it can sure snap you of a somewhat childish “poor, poor me…” attitude pretty quickly. This question changes the perspective from a narrow, self-centred one into a much wider one and …

 Positivity is important!

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