Author Archives: Jean-Sébastien Simon

Around 1600 years ago, the Indian sage Patañjali explained how one can attain the state of Samadhi, a state of liberation, by practicing the Yoga Sutras, the 8 limbs of Yoga: “[…] yama (abstinences), niyama (observances), asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration of the mind), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption). However, its main aim is kaivalya, discernment of purusha, the witness-conscious, as separate from prakriti, the cognitive apparatus,Continue reading “10 Ethical Principles of Classical Yoga as helpful guidelines for Conscious Leadership (1/3)”

Image by peter_pyw from Pixabay Cultural Fit Cultural Research and Anthropology are interesting fields to look at when one wonders about where to live in the world. A leader in the field, Geert Hofstede, developed a model describing 6 dimensions to characterize a culture: Individualism: “Individualism is the extent to which people feel independent, as opposed toContinue reading “Finding a place to live you can call “Home””

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay In the field of personal growth, it is easy to get lost among the dozens of new books that get published each year, and the hundreds of books that already exist. One discovery that helped me see more clearly in the field, and understand the world better and moreContinue reading “Mapping of Personal growth books based on the Evolution of Consciousness”

Thoughts on Psychological Wounding I just came back from 3.5 months in California: It was an amazing journey. I spent 2.5 months in San Francisco and 1 month in a spiritual community practicing Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga. I recharged my batteries, reconnected with the U.S. which is one of my favorite countries in the world,Continue reading “Wise vs. Wounded”

In 2017, I came back completely transformed by one of the most fulfilling years of my life: I had spent a year studying East-West Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, California, and two months practicing Integral Yoga at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, India. The return to FranceContinue reading ““There is no spoon.””

In the previous article, we saw how we can create more magic on our life with the Yes-Man game, the Paperclip vs. House game, and the Power of Giving. Here are three more ways to play with magic and the abundance of the universe: 4. Manifesting magic through asking questions to the universe In MoneyContinue reading “6 ways to create more magic in your life (2)”

Do you feel bored in your life or at work? Or maybe a little bit disenchanted? How much do you experience joy in your life? (10% of the time? 50%? 90%?) What if it was possible to experience more joy, wonder and awe? One of my favorite things that can occur in life to makeContinue reading “6 ways to create more Magic in your Life (1)”

In the previous article, I started sharing some Lessons in Humility. Here are some more, as they are good medicine for us all, and for leaders in particular. Experimenting with Homelessness Some years ago, in France, I was experimenting with homelessness. I had an excellent job, an apartment, and a girlfriend, but I had escapedContinue reading “Lessons in Humility (2)”

Everyday People Some years ago, I was walking in the center of my hometown, Grenoble, in France. I was with my lifelong friend Matthieu, from high school. Two students asked us if they could interview us for a class project, we said yes. Their question to each of us was: Who is a hero forContinue reading “Lessons in Humility (1)”

I have always loved paper: whether the paper of books (nothing will ever beat them nor replace them), or a simple but beautiful white sheet of paper. I love the smell of books: new books in their shiny pristine aspects (in particular hardcover books, especially US editions), and old books (especially those on the QuaisContinue reading “Two of the most powerful tools I know for Creating: The Pen and Paper”