OD India Network - fabled origins

Fr. Tom and I met in Minneapolis in 2005. It was at the ODN USA's annual conference. There were hardly 3 or 4 people of Indian origin there. Least did I imagine this scholar of philosophy studying for a PhD at the University of St. Thomas would descend on Bangalore. And when he did it was a while before we connected. The effervescent Roland Sullivan ensured we got connected. I learnt later that Roland facilitated meetings for Fr. Tom's congregation to intervene in the parish community there. I also learnt that the order owing allegiance to St Claret were the next most promising order after the Jesuits (of the Roman Catholic Christian sects) to devote themselves to education.

What intrigues me now is that he could influence Fr. James Kannanthanam CMF his superior too, to come and share from his learning of OD at the first meeting on April 9 2011 of the OD India network. It was with great hope that we got Dr TV Rao to grace the occasion. He spread the word of our interest and today we've got over 26 attendees signed up for the meet. Academics, practitioners - external and internal, those with NTL and Tavistock and ISABS traditions, those with a Indian heritage, HR leaders of great experience, business strategy exponents and two students to complement our intent. IIM (B), IISc, St. Claret, Christ University, from Bangalore anyway represented. Sushma Sharma coming in from Mumbai is a great motivator.

Eagerly looking forward. I recall my ODN posting from Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey " If you want the whole thing, the gods will give it to you. but you must be
ready for it. The goal is to live with godlike composure on the full rush of
energy, like Dionysus riding the leopard, without being torn to pieces.

A bit of advice given to a young Native American at the time of his
initiation: "As you go the way of life, you will see a chasm.

Jump!

It is not as wide as you think." ;-)*
**