22 managers and leaders from Jubilant Motors Private Limited attended the APEX Program of Art of Living in May 2013. Below is the highlight of their key learning and holistic impact of APEX on personal and professional lives. Mr. K. Subramanian, CEO at Jubilant Motors shares his thoughts

The Curious Beginning

I was first introduced to Art of Living through a customer. Over time, I was intrigued and wanted to know more and their contributions to this world. I was a bit curious to see what makes this entity so powerful and a uniting force across the globe. I was introduced to an APEX Coordinator. I watched the video and it left a long-lasting impression on me. The video itself energized me and made me more inquisitive.

I sketched out a plan to undergo the sessions of APEX and a list of top 22 managers and leaders across our operations and branches were identified to go through this program. We took the residential option and strongly advise the same to all. The Transformations The course began and in the 72 hours that we spent in the campus, we went through a transformational experience. As an individual, I noticed subtle changes in my routine day life and how these subtle changes affected the overall improvement in my personality.

As a person, I am a strong believer of discipline and I am always feverish to maintain personal health and work-life balance. However, these were always on my to-do-list for future and I always felt that I needed some more time to pursue the above. After APEX, I have started to make slots from my schedule to pursue what I like and I am able to achieve my priorities. The skill for time-management and work-distribution came naturally to me.

When I cogitated how I am able to find more time, I realized that I only remember what I need to do and attempted to do those things. As a personal achievement, I am able to identify what I should not be doing. By alienating or delegating what I should not be doing, I find all the time in the world to do what I want to do. I attribute this change to the APEX course and life-changing Sudarshan Kriya.

As a businessman, my schedule, routine and daily meetings, I would overstretch myself to meet the commitments and deliver on time. Due to which, I suffered from attention deficit syndrome. This means, I could not focus on any task or work beyond a few minutes. I either would have diversions or my mind would be cluttered with thoughts of several unfinished agenda and bombardment of thoughts would leave me restless and stressed.

This was affecting my attention span and hence, efficiency. While there are many benefits of doing Sudarshan Kriya regularly, I realized after few days of practice that the inability to manage stress was dissolved. I realized my focus and attention span improved. My undisturbed concentration on the task on hand makes the job thorough and complete faster. This would in turn free up more time. In a way I experience the teaching of the course that living in the present moment leads to finding more time within the day.

Also, my ability to listen to people, without being judgmental and asking others to listen to me without forcing them to agree with me got better. All of us go through bad experiences which are either fall out of our decisions or unforeseen circumstances. When we go through such experiences, we first panic, complain ‘WHY ME’ even when we know that we cannot stop the event as much as we try. When we cannot stop the same from happening, we often pray that it gets over fast. Our mind is busy refusing to accept what’s happening to us. Quite a few times, we lose our mind and react angrily. Predominantly, we blame our stars too and console that it’s a bad phase and we resort to several spiritual and superstitious measures to mitigate the consequences when they are severe. However, a key learning in APEX was to “Accept the Situation.” When you accept what’s happening to you or around you, your mind will start working on solutions instead.

There have been a few testing times at work and in personal life post my APEX days. In a remarkable transformation, the learning to accept the situation has led to a calmer thinking and better alternatives to tide over the crisis on hand. People have asked me how I remain balanced in my thinking and am able to face any crisis in calm manner! Now, in corporate world, our desire is to be healthconscious but the time restrictions do not allow us to pay attention on health aspect. I have always been a health conscious person, eating right food and burning the same with exercise is my motto. But I was vulnerable to the seasonal weather changes and suffered infections, flu and cold. Without discontinuing what I do, I started practicing Sudarshan Kriya. The benefits are magical. I am fitter; I didn’t fall sick, I am energetic through the day and continue to be at my best even after an average six hours of sleep. More importantly I feel younger. The ancient technique, Nadi Pariksha identified the wrong food I was consuming and I am immensely benefited following the solutions provided in this special meeting with the Nadi Pariksha doctors.

Last but not the least, post the APEX course I often visit the international headquarters of The Art of Living Ashram and I enjoy the vibrations present in its atmosphere. I can feel the blessings that are poured on me and I can feel the joyful transformation. I feel good and spiritually beautiful!

How it impacted the Business

Our results will surely astonish all of you. Over the previous year, our profits have tripled, our quality scores have improved by 30% and customer satisfaction scores are at its best. We have beaten our annual forecast by December and still have a quarter to go. The 22 managers and leaders who attended have always showed higher energy and ownership to the business and its results. Many have empowered themselves and have brought several innovations at work. Once we were in an offsite training program and a few of those who attended APEX decided to meet and do the Sudarshan Kriya together. I then realized how they still connect and attribute their personal success to this program.