Article By – Manish Behl and Published by MadeinMedia

Mindfulness Group is an organization centered around promoting mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and well-being through various initiatives. They combine ancient wisdom with modern scientific insights to foster self-awareness, improve mental health, and enhance leadership capabilities. The group curates events, workshops, and summits, including the Mindfulness India Summit, Asia’s largest platform for discussions on mindfulness, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence.

Led by Manish Behl, a globally recognized mindfulness expert, the organization works with individuals and corporations, offering mindfulness training and leadership coaching to drive personal and organizational growth, resilience, and overall well-being.

Behl is top ten globally renowned expert in Mindfulness, a leadership coach, motivational speaker, and author. He has curated and pioneered the Mindfulness India Summit, Asia’s largest platform for dialogue on Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence, and Neuroscience. With over 25 years of leadership experience, he combines ancient wisdom with modern insights to inspire change through mindfulness workshops and leadership coaching. A new-age visionary, Manish helps individuals and organizations find purpose, expand consciousness, and foster positive thinking. His transformational life practices empower people to build better relationships and achieve higher performance and well-being. As the founder of Mindful Science Centre, Manish leads initiatives to reshape mindsets and behaviours, guiding leaders and teams towards social-emotional growth. His teachings span top educational institutions in India and abroad, and he regularly speaks at global conferences.

MadeInMedia’s Kalpana Ravi in conversation with Manish Behl, a leadership coach, motivational speaker, and author, on the Summit which is in its 3rd year, the leadership qualities to be cultivated, on the art of expanding consciousness and finding a purpose, the vision and global impact of this summit and much more…….

Excerpts:

How does mindfulness help in cultivating effective leadership, especially in today’s fast-paced and high-stress environments?

In today’s fast-paced, data-driven, highly competitive, and high-stress environment, mindfulness helps leaders by improving focus, emotional regulation, empathy, and adaptability.

It helps leaders to stay calm under pressure, make clearer decisions, and connect authentically with their teams.

It has been found that mindfulness allows leaders to manage stress, foster innovation, and nurture a supportive workplace culture, all of which boost team morale and productivity.

⁠Can you share any success stories where mindfulness transformed leadership or organizational culture?

SAP, a global leader in enterprise software, recognized the need to enhance employee well-being and productivity. They introduced a comprehensive mindfulness program aimed at promoting mental health and resilience among their workforce.

Research conducted after the program revealed impressive results, employees reported an increased ability to manage stress effectively, and there was a boost in productivity as teams became more focused and collaborative.

At Mindful Science Centre, we have also found that mindfulness practices cultivate a culture of innovation and creativity, allowing employees to feel more engaged and empowered in their roles. Leaders who embraced mindfulness became better at handling conflicts and fostering inclusive environments.

Organizations like SAP, Google, Aetna, Nike, and Adobe have demonstrated that a commitment to mindfulness not only improves individual well-being but also positively influences team dynamics and overall organizational performance.

In what ways does the integration of neuroscience and emotional intelligence into mindfulness practices improve individual well-being and performance? How do these scientific insights help in addressing modern challenges like stress, burnout, and anxiety?

Neuroscience offers valuable insights into the biological changes brought about by mindfulness, validating its effectiveness and explaining the underlying mechanisms. By understanding how mindfulness influences brain function, individuals can recognize its potential to enhance focus, emotional regulation, and overall mental health.

In addition, emotional intelligence—a skill nurtured through mindfulness—plays a vital role in developing self-awareness, self-management, and empathy. By cultivating emotional intelligence, mindfulness practices empower individuals to better manage their emotions, navigate social interactions, and respond to stressors in healthier ways.

Today, the integration of mindfulness with scientific research and insights into human psychology addresses modern challenges such as stress, burnout, and anxiety. It equips individuals with the tools needed to enhance resilience, improve coping strategies, and create a more balanced and fulfilling life.

What role can mindfulness play in fostering innovation, creativity, and emotional resilience in corporate teams? How can organizations practically implement mindfulness to improve team dynamics and boost productivity?

Mindfulness is one of the most effective and affordable tools for fostering innovation, creativity, and emotional resilience in teams. It helps people stay present, manage stress, and approach challenges with a fresh perspective, which is critical for building stronger teams and generating innovative ideas.

Organizations can easily integrate mindfulness into daily work life through simple practices like offering mindfulness training, short meditation breaks, and access to resources such as guided mindfulness programs. Creating quiet spaces for reflection or encouraging mindful communication can make a big difference in helping employees feel more focused and connected.

When done right, with the support of a mindfulness expert or institute like SIY or MSC (Mindful Science Centre) these practices cultivate an environment where creativity flourishes, teams collaborate better, and individuals feel more engaged. By promoting mindfulness, companies not only improve team dynamics but also reduce burnout and boost overall productivity.

⁠You often speak about expanding consciousness and finding purpose. How can individuals apply these concepts to lead more meaningful lives?

I believe expanding consciousness and finding purpose are deeply interconnected and essential for leading a meaningful life. Expanding consciousness begins with self-awareness being fully present to understand your thoughts, emotions, and actions without judgment. When we are mindful, we can see beyond our habitual patterns, tap into our deeper potential, and align our choices with our true values.

Finding purpose comes from this clarity of mind. It’s about living with intention, focusing on what truly matters, and contributing to the greater good. Individuals can apply these concepts by cultivating mindfulness in their daily lives, which helps them discover what brings meaning and joy to their work, relationships, and personal growth.

By expanding their awareness and living with purpose, people can navigate challenges with resilience, connect more authentically with others, and make decisions that resonate with their core values, which leads to a more fulfilling and conscious life.

What are the common barriers people face when trying to incorporate mindfulness into their daily routine, and how can they overcome them?

Common barriers to incorporating mindfulness include a lack of time, distractions, difficulty focusing, and misconceptions about mindfulness requiring a completely quiet mind.

To overcome these, individuals can start with short, manageable sessions, just a few minutes each day and gradually increase the time.

Integrating mindfulness into existing routines, like mindful eating or mindful walking, helps make it more accessible.

Practicing self-compassion is also crucial, as it allows individuals to accept distractions or a wandering mind without judgment.

Regular practice, even if brief, helps build the habit and makes mindfulness more sustainable over time.

The Mindfulness India Summit is Asia’s largest platform for mindfulness. It is in its 3rd year, how has the conversation around mindfulness evolved in India and globally since its inception?

When I embarked on this journey, mindfulness was often viewed primarily as a personal well-being tool focused on stress reduction and individual mental health. We realised there is a greater need to demystify Mindfulness and share the work being done in this field and its impact both as individuals and as organisations as a society.

Over time, through the efforts of the Mindfulness India Summit and MSC, we have worked to debunk many misconceptions about mindfulness. Today, there’s a broader understanding of mindfulness as a powerful tool for leadership, organizational transformation, and societal well-being.

Mindful Science Centre (MSC) took the initiative to launch the first edition of the Mindfulness India Summit in 2018. By inviting renowned researchers, scholars, and leaders from institutions like Harvard Medical School, Oxford Mindfulness Centre, Greater Good Science Center, and global organizations such as Google and Microsoft, and many Indian and international organisations, we create a platform for everyone to share their work, helping evolve the conversation around mindfulness both in India and globally.

In India, we have seen a significant shift in how mindfulness is integrated across sectors like education, healthcare, corporate environments, and even policymaking. Organizations such as Aditya Birla Group, HPCL, and Microsoft India have started incorporating mindfulness and emotional intelligence as key pillars for development. The Summit has been instrumental in raising awareness and demonstrating the benefits of mindfulness in enhancing productivity, fostering emotional intelligence, and creating more empathetic workplace cultures.

Globally, the conversation has expanded with scientific validation from neuroscience and emotional intelligence research, proving the profound impact mindfulness can have on mental health, innovation, and decision-making.

Mainstream Adoption: Mindfulness has moved from niche wellness circles to mainstream health and corporate settings, with more people recognizing its benefits for mental health.

Focus on Mental Health: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of mental health, increasing interest in mindfulness as a tool for managing stress and anxiety.

Corporate and Workplace Integration: Companies worldwide are now embracing mindfulness to enhance employee well-being, boost productivity, and reduce burnout.

Youth and Education Programs: Schools and educational institutions are increasingly incorporating mindfulness into their curricula, especially in India, to promote emotional resilience among students.

Scientific Validation: Ongoing research continues to validate mindfulness as beneficial for mental and physical health, leading to broader acceptance and integration into healthcare.

Emphasis on Inclusivity and Cultural Sensitivity: There’s a greater focus on culturally adaptive mindfulness practices that respect diverse traditions and needs, especially in India, where traditional practices are being revitalized with modern mindfulness approaches.

What have been some of the most profound takeaways or breakthroughs from the Summit over the years?

The Mindfulness India Summit has played a pivotal role in bringing issues like Mental Health, Burnout, Stress, Loneliness, Digital Wellness, Immunity, Creative thinking, and performance with wellbeing to the forefront. We created a platform where leaders, educators, and professionals can explore and learn cutting-edge science, practices, and tools on how mindfulness can drive positive change for individuals, organizations, and communities.

We also brought together an awareness of how we can improve our well-being, work-life balance, and most of all the importance of our social behavior and responsibility towards self and others.

Every year we see more and more people join the summit and learn the tools and practices.

The Mindful Science Centre, what made you start this? How does it bridge ancient mindfulness techniques with modern scientific research to promote social-emotional growth?

During my 25 years of corporate journey in senior most positions like CEO and business head in various large organizations, I noticed a troubling trend, the complexities of technology, information overload, and constant disruption were escalating at an exponential pace, while our mental capacity and human capabilities seemed to be diminishing. This realization hit hard, prompting me to step away from the corporate world. I felt a calling to invest all my knowledge, resources, and connections into something that truly matters—the well-being of individuals.

I founded the Mindful Science Centre (MSC) with a vision to create a platform that bridges ancient wisdom with modern scientific research. My personal journey with mindfulness opened my eyes to its transformative potential, not just for individual well-being, but also for enhancing emotional intelligence, leadership, and making a societal impact.

At MSC, we developed programs that blend centuries-old mindfulness techniques with the latest insights from neuroscience and psychology. This fusion allows us to present mindfulness in a way that’s both accessible and evidence-based, making it easier for organizations, leaders, and individuals to embrace.

Our initiatives have not only changed the way people approach their work but have also transformed coaching and training methods in leaders and sports. We offer programs focused on mindfulness, decision-making, mental well-being, and performance, among others.

Ultimately, our goal is to promote social-emotional growth by showcasing how mindfulness fosters empathy, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose in both personal and professional settings. By combining the best of ancient practices with modern science, we empower individuals to navigate today’s challenges with clarity, compassion, and wisdom.

Can you share more about the initiatives the Centre is working on to reshape mindsets and behaviours across different sectors?

At the Mindful Science Centre (MSC), we are actively working on several initiatives aimed at reshaping mindsets and behaviors across various corporate sectors, public and private organizations, and educational institutions, as well as in sports and leadership.

We have created tailored corporate mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience-based leadership programs focusing on enhancing emotional intelligence, stress management, focus, and leadership development. These programs are designed to create a culture of mindfulness within the workplace, leading to improved productivity and employee well-being.

Additionally, we are honored to provide mindfulness training to the Indian Police Forces, helping personnel enhance focus, resilience, and mental clarity in high-pressure situations. This initiative aims to support their well-being and improve overall performance.

In our educational partnerships, we collaborate with schools and institutions to integrate mindfulness into curricula. Our programs aim to equip students and educatorswith tools to enhance focus, emotional regulation, and resilience, fostering a healthier learning environment. We also work with healthcare providers to promote mindfulness as a complementary approach to patient care, helping professionals enhance their emotional resilience and improve patient interactions.

Community engagement is a key aspect of our mission. We conduct workshops and outreach programs to raise awareness about the benefits of mindfulness, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to adopt mindfulness practices in their daily lives. Additionally, we offer specialized programs for leaders in different sectors, focusing on how mindfulness can enhance decision-making, empathy, and the ability to inspire teams. Our goal is to cultivate mindful leaders who can drive positive change within their organizations and communities.

Furthermore, our Mindfulness Foundation Trainer Program has helped over 300 organizations implement mindfulness practices. This initiative has created more than 500 certified trainers, impacting millions of people and employees across various sectors. Through our programs, we are building a network of mindfulness advocates who can promote well-being and resilience in their respective environments.

We are also extending our reach beyond India by bringing mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology training to international organizations. By sharing these practices globally, we aim to promote well-being and social change on a broader scale. In collaboration with governmental agencies, we provide training in mindfulness and emotional intelligence for leaders and policymakers, fostering a more compassionate and effective approach to governance and public service.

And the Mindfulness India Summit, Asia’s largest platform for mindfulness, plays a vital role in these efforts by fostering dialogue and collaboration among leaders, educators, and practitioners in the field.

Through these initiatives, MSC is committed to fostering a mindset shift towards mindfulness across various sectors, creating more compassionate and resilient individuals, teams, and communities. By reshaping behaviors and promoting well-being, we aim to contribute to a more mindful society overall.

⁠How can mindfulness be effectively integrated into the education system to help students and educators manage stress and enhance focus? What role does emotional intelligence play in shaping future leaders, and how can it be taught to younger generations?

Mindfulness can be effectively integrated into the education system by incorporating structured mindfulness programs and practices into the daily routines of both students and educators. At the Mindful Science Centre (MSC), we have developed specific programs designed for educators and students, focusing on enhancing emotional regulation, focus, and stress management. These programs include mindfulness exercises, workshops, and curriculum enhancements that equip students with tools to foster resilience and improve their overall well-being.

Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in shaping future leaders by helping them develop self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills. Teaching emotional intelligence to younger generations can be achieved through targeted programs that emphasize mindfulness, self-reflection, and social-emotional learning. By integrating these practices into the education system, we can cultivate a generation of leaders who are not only academically proficient but also emotionally aware and capable of navigating the complexities of the modern world with compassion and clarity.

⁠As a globally renowned mindfulness expert, what trends do you see shaping the future of mindfulness practices worldwide?

I see several key trends shaping the future of mindfulness practices worldwide. First, there’s a growing recognition of mindfulness in high-pressure environments, particularly in the military and law enforcement sectors. Forces require situational awareness, mental agility, and enhanced performance under stress, making mindfulness an essential tool for developing these skills.

In sports, the competitive landscape is increasingly demanding, as seen in the recent Paris and Beijing Olympics, where athletes employed mindfulness techniques to improve focus and performance. The integration of mindfulness into athletic training is becoming more common, emphasizing mental resilience alongside physical prowess.

On a governmental level, we’re witnessing significant movements toward mindfulness as well. For example, the UK Parliament has made mindfulness mandatory for all Members of Parliament and staff, recognizing its potential to improve decision-making and well-being in public service.

In broader society and communities, mindfulness is being incorporated into various sectors, from education to healthcare, promoting a culture of awareness and compassion. Cities around the world are beginning to adopt mindfulness practices as part of their community wellness initiatives, aiming to enhance the quality of life for their residents.

Several trends are shaping the future of mindfulness practices globally:

· Digital Integration: Mindfulness apps and online platforms are making practices more accessible, allowing people to engage anytime, anywhere.

· Corporate Mindfulness: More organizations are implementing mindfulness programs to boost employee well-being, reduce stress, and improve productivity.

· Integration with Healthcare: Mindfulness is increasingly used as a complementary therapy in mental health treatments, such as for anxiety and depression.

· Focus on Youth and Education: Schools are incorporating mindfulness into curricula to help students develop emotional resilience and focus.

· Mindful Technology Use: As digital overload becomes more prevalent, practices that encourage mindful engagement with technology are gaining popularity.

· Cultural Adaptation and Inclusivity: There’s a growing emphasis on adapting mindfulness practices to respect and include diverse cultural backgrounds and needs.

These trends indicate a promising future for mindfulness, as more sectors and communities acknowledge its benefits for personal well-being and social impact.

What is your vision for the future of the Mindfulness India Summit and its global impact?

Mental health has become a pressing pandemic that demands immediate attention, evidenced by the rising rates of suicides and mental health issues.

My vision for the Mindfulness India Summit is to create a holistic approach to human well-being, unlocking our true potential. I envision the Summit as a catalyst for building thriving workplaces and communities by enhancing performance, productivity, and collaboration among individuals and organizations.

A key aspect of this vision is addressing the widening generational gap and fostering intergenerational understanding through mindfulness practices. By integrating ancient wisdom into modern life, we can cultivate effective strategies for managing stress and burnout, thereby fostering a more resilient society.

In today’s era of AI and technology, it’s essential to emphasize the unique value of human intelligence, something that technology cannot replicate. I aspire for the Summit to expand its global impact by collaborating with diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, and corporate environments, to promote mindfulness as a foundational element.

Additionally, the Summit aims to advocate for mindfulness in education, healthcare, corporate culture, and community well-being. By showcasing successful case studies and evidence-based practices, we can inspire organizations to incorporate mindfulness into their frameworks, leading to more compassionate and resilient societies.

Ultimately, I seek to inspire a movement toward self-awareness as a way of life, fostering emotional intelligence, social cohesion, and a thriving society for present and future generations.

Institutions to integrate mindfulness into their frameworks, ultimately leading to more resilient and compassionate societies.

Through continuous learning, adaptation, and collaboration, the Mindfulness India Summit can catalyze positive change, not only in India but also globally, by empowering individuals and organizations to embrace mindfulness as a way of life. My ultimate goal is to contribute to a more mindful world where people can thrive personally and collectively, enhancing emotional intelligence, well-being, and social cohesion across communities.

Ultimately, my aspiration is for the Mindfulness India Summit to inspire a movement toward mindfulness as a way of life, leading to a more balanced and thriving society. Together, we can harness the power of mindfulness to uplift individuals, foster community, create thriving today and a sustainable future for generations to come.

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