On Saturday, September 13th, at SP Jain Campus, Mumbai, the Mumbai Chapter hosted a deeply engaging and reflective session titled “Happiness: Winning The Inner Game Through Mindfulness”, aimed at helping professionals reconnect with the essence of calm and presence in their daily lives. Prof Shishir Arya, a visiting faculty member of IIMA, flew down to Mumbai to conduct this session for the Mumbai-based alumni. About 70 alumni attended the event.
In an age of constant busyness, multitasking, and mental overload, the session offered a gentle pause — a chance to explore how mindfulness can bring clarity, balance, and a renewed sense of happiness.
The session began with a thought-provoking micro-case study drawn from a professional’s day-to-day experiences. It highlighted the constant juggling between personal and professional demands, the stress of deadlines, and the emotional fatigue that often goes unnoticed. Through this exploration, participants reflected on how easily the mind becomes distracted, reactive, and overwhelmed — and how mindfulness serves as an anchor amidst this chaos. The conversation led to a collective realization: mindfulness isn’t a luxury or a spiritual abstraction, but a necessity for today’s professionals seeking focus, productivity, and emotional resilience.
To make the experience more tangible, the facilitator guided participants through a short mindful activity. This brief yet powerful experiment helped dismantle common barriers to mindfulness — such as “I’m too busy,” “It’s not relevant to my work,” or “I don’t know how to start.” The activity demonstrated that mindfulness doesn’t demand extra time; rather, it’s about transforming ordinary moments into opportunities for awareness. Even a minute of mindful breathing or attentive listening can shift one’s mental state from stress to stillness.
As reflections deepened, the group collectively understood that adopting mindfulness is an act of conscious choice. It is about prioritizing inner stillness amidst external noise — being present with oneself and cultivating awareness of thoughts, emotions, and surroundings. This simple but profound realization encouraged participants to view mindfulness not as an additional task but as a way of being that nurtures clarity, compassion, and purpose.
The session concluded with an inspiring takeaway from Shauna Shapiro’s powerful quote: “What you practice grows stronger.” Participants resonated deeply with the idea that happiness, kindness, and awareness are skills — and like any skill, they strengthen through regular, intentional practice.The event ended on a warm note of gratitude by Omkar Biradar, followed by the facilitation of the host, Prof Shishir Arya. The evening closed with a cheerful meet-and-greet, as alumni connected over shared reflections, conversations, and a few photographs capturing the spirit of mindfulness and community. The session left everyone with a simple yet transformative reminder — that true happiness begins within, and mindfulness is the bridge that helps us find it.
