Life is about learning how to “be”—particularly when the challenges come.
Aaravindha Himadra was born in the Pacific Northwest. He has a background in Psychology, Eastern Philosophy, and Eastern Comparative Religion, and has immersed himself lifelong in the study of numerous leading-edge sciences. He owned two philosophical bookstores, a second larger one in Seattle that included a school on Eastern philosophy and meditation. In Seattle he taught a series of yearlong yoga teacher certification courses.
Aaravindha is the Founder of Sambodha Inc., an international organization dedicated to raising consciousness worldwide. It offers numerous seminars on a wide range of spiritual studies and ongoing spiritual support to individuals on a path of spiritual awakening. Sambodha is not a religious organization, but it offers in depth spiritual guidance on meditation techniques, and techniques on how to connect with and advance your unique potential and inner power.
Aaravindha Himadra is the Author of “Das Tal der Unsterblichen Meister” a best seller in European markets. He published the book “Immortal Self” through Sounds True publishing in the United States. He has written a number of other books that he uses in his training seminars. He writes his blogs on Aaravindha.com and regularly lectures around the world on two separate platforms. One platform is taught to the awakening public while the other platform he uses to train teachers from all around the world.
Aaravindha Himadra has had many accomplishments throughout his life having taught on many spiritual subjects and meditation for over twenty years before founding Sambodha Inc., but he has one subject that is very close to his heart. His accomplishment has been to establish a worldwide community. This community is composed of a very luminous array of individuals from all walks of life. These are people that are making a real difference in helping the world. They recognize a professional model is necessary, but it is not the main focus of the community. Instead, it is a lifestyle and an inspiration for the spiritual path more than a business structure. The focus is not to make the business model successful. The focus is more on how to make the quality of people’s lives the object of success.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
The idea for Sambodha was an inspiration that came about organically and very naturally. We went through many years of listening before planning. I had been teaching for decades before the idea of Sambodha emerged. I was very young when I started my first business and it evolved from there. In the very beginning, I started with a bookstore, healing center, and my first philosophical school. I was only twenty years old. I created a second larger version of the same in Seattle. We broadened our offering to also connect with local artists and musicians. More specifically, I would sell their music and their art. I labored to develop a cultural relationship within my environment everywhere I went. Each time, I was inspired to move on to something more. I left my last bookstore to go on a personal journey to find a deeper meaning for myself. I took a year-long silent retreat for myself in a reclusive mountain setting. After emerging from that retreat is when I started teaching what led to what I am now teaching.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I love my work. This work involves a great deal of creative thinking, but at the same time, I have to listen to a long line of people who call me for support. I am very interactive with people. I receive hundreds of emails and numerous calls in a day. I work on a mix of writing, planning seminars, and answering emails and calls. I work extensively with my organizer to create my venues and seminars. Some of our seminars are ten to 12-day venue seminars that start at 7 in the morning and run until 9 at night. It’s long hours and focused work, but always inspirational and meaningful.
How do you bring ideas to life?
My ideas seem to show up as a single packet of knowledge. I sense an inspiration through listening and interaction with the needs people bring me. I never make the work about me. I make it about knowledge and technique. I make it about what is possible for the people I train or come to learn. We have to get out of our own way. We have to sense what could be. Those ideas unfold very quickly. We make it personal. Even if the knowledge we teach is often very advanced, we make it approachable and practical. People want those ideas to answer their needs.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I think what inspires me the most is that the world is actively looking to find its moral compass. There is a lot of disillusionment in our world today. People don’t know what or who to trust anymore. People are starting to realize they can no longer give their power away. Instead they are learning to rely more on their emerging sense. People are beginning to give themselves to doing the real work of going into themselves to find their truth. Our environment is degrading and our political systems are corrupt. People need a new kind of leadership to save us from all of this. The trend that may get us through these times comes through those people who are willing to give themselves to the task without asking the politicians for permission. People are starting to look inside of themselves to find their own moral compass. It is still not mature enough. People are just beginning to take responsibility. It starts with taking responsibility for their own inner feelings rather than waiting for old dogmas to tell them what to believe. I know that is growing. Because of that growth, I am very inspired.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I think of what I do as a lifestyle expression of what I truly believe in. With regard to what I teach, I don’t think of the end result, I think of what difference can I make in life now. As a result, it creates a return of a naturally occurring financial return. Which is never really my aim. It is more like balancing the Tao, like Zen than running a business.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell younger Aaravindha Himadra not to invest too much time in the angry people in life. Or on those who are addicted to being a victim. There are a lot of angry people out there. That is different if people are ready to work with that anger. I believe anger is a result of helplessness or frustration. I would tell myself to focus more on empowering people though inspiring deeper intuitive insights. Don’t give so much energy to the critic when it comes to my doorstep. Just focus on developing more focus and awareness. Life is about learning how to “be”—particularly when the challenges come.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
People often ask me what to do. I don’t agree with that approach. I believe people most often already know what to do and only need to learn how to get out of their own way. It isn’t easy to get people to agree on that. I really like the people close to me because they don’t let me tell them what to do without first testing it in themselves. They sometimes challenge me which calls me to be ever more present and clearer with them.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
People often ask me what to do. I don’t agree with that approach. I believe people most often already know what to do and only need to learn how to get out of their own way. It isn’t easy to get people to agree on that. I really like the people close to me because they don’t let me tell them what to do without first testing it in themselves. They sometimes challenge me which calls me to be ever more present and clearer with them.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
The biggest strategy is to speak the language that others are speaking. Find a common ground in meaning, a language that is spoken by all. That is what people need and where the rewards come.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I don’t think I see anything as a failure. I use adversity as a means to learn. I see problems as essential to life. In that way I never fail.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
The business idea is to be consistent. Make sure you are focused on what you do the best. Don’t try to do everything on every level. If you want to harmonize with your life, you should use that same learned talent as your business model. Don’t waste your time thinking of the financial end. Accept what comes and keep going. Don’t procrastinate and don’t let fear govern your choices. Use your intuitive inspirations as your primary guide to success.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I purchased four lbs. of fresh sagebrush coffee. Best coffee I’ve ever found and it gives me more energy.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
We use Thrive. It is a terrific website building tool that we have utilized tremendously.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
I seek inspiration when I read. I Heard God Laugh by Hafiz and Rumi’s book of Poems are my first go-to inspirations.
What is your favorite quote?
“Worship love above all else, and not with a selfish want or a half-guarded heart”. by Nil Amma Tara
Key Learnings:
● Life is about learning how to “be” when the challenges come about.
● People are starting to look inside of themselves to find their own moral compass.
● People are beginning to take responsibility for their own thoughts rather than waiting for others to tell them what to think.
● Don’t procrastinate or let fear govern your choices
● Trust that all you need is already in you, you just need to learn how to get out of the way
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Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.