NLP meets Sanskrit grammar, sacred geometry and the bible…

A recent conversation reminded me of some ancient studies I did a while back which I thought some of you might find interesting.

It’s rather long and indulgent so read when you have a mo…

Many years ago I had the good fortune to study a liberal arts programme consisting of what used to be called: the “Trivium” and “Quadrivium”. From this study I was first introduced to sacred geometry and Sanskrit.

The intention of the study of geometry was to illuminate the principles governing how we get from UNITY to MULTIPLICITY. In regards to Sanskrit – it was said that the rules governing Sanskrit Grammar were said to mirror the laws of creation - which govern that movement from unity to multiplicity.

As an example in Geometry we looked at some Axioms that expanded on the principle that everything comes from God or what we called at the time “the absolute”.

AXIOMS

1. The absolute is constant

2. All and everything is absolute; it arises in the absolute, it is sustained by the absolute and it returns to the absolute

3. To create anything in time and space, the absolute takes its stand in time and place

4. Everything in creation is measured (measured: deliberate, calculated, exact – measured out)

5. A point is a position in time and space where the forces of the absolute are concentrated for creation. The “point” is a “word”

6. Where ever there is multiplication, there is division and visa versa. Where ever there is addition, there must be subtraction.

This “point” in time and space or “word” is the creative force, the starting point of this universe and there are echoes of this principle in the Bible passage:

“In the begging was the word, and the word was with God and word was GOD… All things were made by him, and without him was nothing made … In HIM was life and the life was the light of man… “ (or something like that)

The whole point of the study as to make these principles as practical to everyday life and my memory of this was triggered by a conversation about taking some form of action and what are the things that one should consider that would help organise your thoughts and activities …

In the Sanskrit grammar system, one of the central principles governing sentence construction is that there are six “actors” in every sentence. In philosophical terms these six “actors” are representations of the different roles the “absolute” (read God or highest principle) plays in the activity that is being described by the sentence.

These Roles or “cases” have Sanskrit names which are transliterated and described as:

1. APADANAM: The eternal unmoving from which all movement comes

2. SAMPRADANAM: That to which to mind intends the action as a sacrifice or offering

3. ADHIKARANAM: The substance of the absolute in which the action takes place

4. KARANAM: That which is most propitious for the fulfilment and completion of the action or activity

5. KARTA: The Agent of the Absolute for accomplishment of the action – he who has the system within himself

6. KARMA: That which is most beloved of the Agent

In terms of making these principles practical to everyday activities and future actions:

1. APADANAM: can be thought of as the underlying Assumptions governing an activity

2. SAMPRADANAM: are the AIMS of the activity or its OBJECTIVES

3. ADHIKARANAM: this will be the Time, Place, Context

4. KARANAM: these are the Tools needed to accomplish the task

5. KARTA: the person that is capable of completing the task or understands or embodies the “system” (to pull teeth out the Agent is the dentist) the one with the knowledge

6. KARMA: This would be what is desired of the action – the Outcome or result or benefit being sought

The devotional aspect of my mind responds rather well to thinking of activity in relation to the different aspects of GOD.

I’m also reminded of an NLP “Model” designed to help one become aware of all the steps or objectives that need to be in place to help achieve various outcomes or goals. It’s called the S.M.A.R.T. Model and the acronym stands for :-

**S** Specific

**M** Measurable

**A** Achievable, Attainable

**R** Realistic

**T** Timely, Time-bound

**SPECIFIC** – one’s understanding of an outcome one would wish to achieve, ideally should be complete, full and concrete. Questions that help define and detail the outcome or goal specifically:

* WHO is going to do this, and or be responsible?

* WHAT is to be achieved?

* WHERE will the activity take place?

* WHY does this need to be accomplished?

* WHEN do you want to do this and when should it be completed?

* HOW are you going to do this?

**MEASURABLE** – to do with measuring progress and completion of the task?

* What lets you know you have reached a particular stage?

* What does the finished outcome or product look like?

**ACHIEVABLE** – is it a realistic goal - is it attainable or within your reach?

* Have you got the right resources?

* Do you have enough knowledge?

* Is the time-frame correct?

* Have you given yourself enough time, or is the time frame too long that you lose motivation and commitment?

**REALISTIC** – this is a sanity or ecology check

* Does achieving the outcome somehow violate an important principle you might value?

* Is it physically possible to do this?

Have you resources available?

E.g. – Should I be training for a marathon when I’m 8 months pregnant ….?

**TIMELY**– Also an aspect of sanity checking as well as setting the deadline for the activity.

* Has there been a time-table set for the activity or deadline to achieve the outcome or goal?

* Is it the right season for this (in all senses of the word)?

* Is the task achievable in the allocated time: - not feasible to lose 12 stone in 2 days with exercise?

* Has enough time been allocated to complete the task?

Time must be measurable, attainable and realistic.