Get programmed for success
July 2015
By Rajkumar Dham
Programming your mind for success is as simple as creating software for the computer, say KN Krishnaswamy and Rajkumar Dham, authors of the book, Body Mind Programming, in an interview with Shivi Verma
There are numerous self-help books in the market on how to achieve success by both big and small authors. Taking the cue from the life of successful people, they try to shed light on the secret to grand success. Some mantras are fixed while some vary. Responding to the universal need for success, Professor KN Krishnaswamy and his student Rajkumar Dham have emerged with a technique called Body-Mind Programming, or BMP. Likening the human brain to a problem-solving computer, they felt that like a computer, humans too can be programmed for success by feeding certain predetermined programmes. Combining the Oriental and the Occidental principles of success, the duo authored a book called Create Your Own Future Through Body-Mind Programming. Through this they focus on creating a synthetic experience of the desired outcome in the mind. When new neural pathways get created that challenge old programmes of failures, success becomes a default setting in the mind.
The authors share their experiences and their learnings which led to the creation of this book in an interview with Life Positive. An excerpt from the interview.
How did the book on BMP come about?
We co-authored this book for two main reasons. Firstly, we found that professionals needed a method of self-development in order to ensure a successful and satisfying career.
Secondly, we observed that man has put in tremendous efforts and developed many languages and programmes to exploit the enormous computing capabilities of the modern computer, but he has not concentrated on devising methods to exploit the unlimited capabilities of the human brain which can be termed as a Super-Super Computer.
Our studies and research in the art and science of self-improvement for over 15 years led us to design a set of programmes applicable to humans which we called the Body-Mind-Programming technique (BMP).
We started teaching BMP to educational institutions, general public, professionals in industry, business and research. Our efforts resulted in people from India and other countries beginning to practice it. Dr Dham, who is into holistic health, started using BMP with patients as well as yoga and holistic health students. Their feedback and suggestions helped us to finetune the BMP methodology. Although most organisations state their vision and mission statements clearly, most individuals are unaware of their purpose of life. Negative thinking, attitudes and emotions come in the way of progress. BMP methodology has great potential to help overcome negative thinking, attitudes and habits, and develop desired habits and attitudes. It is also a tool for learning skills, including soft skills.
Are you employing spiritual tools to become materially successful in life?
The tools and techniques which we have developed and recommended for BMP are equally employable for both material and spiritual success. We are happy to say BMP has unfolded material benefits in our cases. All personal characteristics and traits are formed by repeated habit patterns over a period of time. Changing habits and attitudes is the core of self-development. In management, it is recognised that habits and attitudes play a crucial role in achieving success. BMP is a meditative process and uses the tools of breathing, relaxation, affirmation and visualization for achieving any worthy goal. In India money is termed as Lakshmi, and is worshipped. Money must come from righteous means and must be spent wisely. In this way we can say BMP employs spiritual tools for living a happy, successful and fulfilled life.
Have you experienced the benefits of body-mind programming in your personal life?
BMP has become part and parcel of our life and even our grand children often talk about BMP. We have achieved success and distinction in our various endeavours – teaching, research, publications, service to society.
Krishnaswamy: My book, Research Methodology in Management, with real Indian case studies in operations management has been hailed by the industry, business institutions and students of management. Despite facing many hurdles in the areas of reviews, permissions and publishers, it was successfully published through BMP efforts to the amazement of many, and joy of our friends. It is considered a handbook for people doing research work at premier management institutions and universities.
RK Dham: I have been quite successful as an entrepreneur, trainer, healer and yoga master and own a fairly big house and other facilities. In 1985, due to some unfortunate happenings in my business, I was almost on the streets. My health also deteriorated. But today I am leading a happy, healthy and fulfilled life thank to BMP. I have made a difference to the lives of thousands of people who came in contact with me. I have been awarded for my yeomen services.
Is it possible to change your personality type through BMP? Is it recommendable?
Our habits, attitudes and beliefs make our personality and character. Swami Vivekananda in his commentary on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, has said, “Man is a bundle of habits, habits rule the life of every one and the good thing is that habits can be changed.”. In BMP one seeks changes in habits, attitudes, perceptions, emotions, behavior or any other personal characteristics. Enlightened living is about having enlightened habits. BMP is primarily aimed at helping the individual nurture good and purposeful habits and erase and destroy undesired ones. Our present personality is the outcome of our past repeated inputs (daily activities, habits, choices, responses, and learning) right from the time we were conceived in our mother’s womb. These are recorded as engrams in our brain which you call impressions or samaskaras. These impressions or samaskaras form our programmes which control our personality traits like habits, attitudes, responses to challenge or problems. BMP is an attempt to bring about the desired changes in our personality by changing the impressions, and deep-rooted programmes through creating desired synthetic experiences.
It is up to the individual to decide which type of habits, attitudes and personality characteristics he desires to have to achieve the goals.
What are the challenges a person can face while trying to reprogramme his mind for happiness and success?
After developing the initial model of BMP when we started taking it to people through our classes, workshops and individual sessions, we observed that most of the people are not very clear about what they want; what are their goals, especially long-term life goals. Systematic BMP methodology helps the individuals in understanding their life goals. Five major requirements are to be met for successful and enlightened living.
- A set of clear goals.
- A burning desire to accomplish them
- A profound faith that one’s inner divinitycan assist enormously in achieving the goals.
- A means of systematically conveying the goals effectively to the inner divinity.
- Pursuit of the goals with action supported by body, mind and spirit.
BMP is a technique and a way of living that involves practising with perseverance its tenets to meet the five requirements stated above. We worked systematically to incorporate the above five tenets as part of BMP. Once the goals become clear the programming becomes easy.
Second biggest challenge is expecting quick overnight results without inducing appropriate changes in habits, attitudes, perceptions and skills. We believe that to change one’s life, it is sufficient to change one’s thinking. The environment is of little concern. As a man thinks so he becomes. Third challenge is persistence in their efforts to achieve the desired goals. People start with a bang but soon lose their motivation to continue. We worked on this aspect. People like to be in their comfort zones. We help them conquer the comfort zones through BMP using ‘Pain and Pleasure’ concept.
We also observed that some people become too anxious for results. We introduced the step of surrendering after programming. Surrendering is letting go and handing over to the Infinite Intelligence to help and guide you to achieve your goals. BMP, in a strict sense, is not just a technique to be applied during the exercise but an attitude and awareness which extends throughout the day.
What is the primary method of BMP?
First is to ensure that people have goals.
Second is to access the beyond alpha state of mind. Third step is called implantation or putting the seed of your goal or desire by conveying it to the beyond alpha state.
Fourth is nuturing that seed through repeated affirmations and visualization so that it will manifest.
When the last step is done it creates a synthetic experience in the mind of having achieved the goal. A new neural pathway gets created and people automatically start doing what they need to in order to manifest that goal.