Awaken

Awaken: A Journey to Purpose, Wholeness, Healing, and Impact

Awaken delivers a contemporary and accessible guide to how each of us can experience a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in a world that is rife with anxiety, depression, and addiction. Drawing on the distinguished author's lifetime of accumulated insights and experience, Awaken guides readers on a journey to achieve complete alignment between who they are, what they say, what they do, and how they relate to others.

People are traumatized and polarized the world over. By healing our traumas, uniting the polarities in our lives, and connecting to our deepest purpose, we can attain personal power and amplify our positive impact on the world. Most people have chosen not to deal with their trauma; they conceal it, numb it, and relive it. Through the prism of the author's life journey, Awaken shows us how to mine the ups and downs of our lives to experience "post-traumatic growth."

Written for anyone with even a passing interest in improving their inner life and making a difference in the world, Awaken provides proven tools and practical advice that allow readers to know themselves, love themselves, be themselves, and express themselves. Readers will learn how to grow their personal power by building self-trust, cultivating presence, drawing healthy boundaries, leaning into necessary conflict, and challenging orthodoxies. Awaken will help readers see their lives differently in order to transform their experience of living.

Foreword xi

Prologue xiii

Chapter 1 Roots 1

Life Without Papa 1

From Kesur to Canada 3

Sidebar: The Rajputs 6

Papa Returns 11

Reflections 14

Chapter 2 Changing of the Guard 17

A Whole New World 17

Bewildered in Barbados 18

Serene in Salinas 20

Confused in Canada 24

Reflections 27

Chapter 3 Return of the Native 29

The Ratlam “Suar” System 30

Sidebar: The Caste System 31

Objects of Curiosity 33

Hard Landing 34

School of Horrors 36

Innocence Lost 40

Home Base Indore 41

Reflections 45

Chapter 4 Return to Kesur 47

The Darker Side of Kesur 50

Trickle-Down Tyranny 54

Reflections 55

Chapter 5 No Time to Dream 57

My Luck Runs Out 62

Grim Survivor 65

Political Awakening 66

Bombay Bound 69

Back to the Future 72

Reflections 74

Chapter 6 New York, New York 77

Marketing Mecca – or Mayhem? 78

Ivy League Ivory Tower 79

An Accidental Academic 81

Dowry Drama 83

Dissertation Dilemma 85

Escape from New York 87

Reflections 90

Chapter 7 Boston Blues 93

Out of Africa 98

An Unblessed Marriage 104

Nightmare on Commonwealth Avenue 107

Reflections 109

Chapter 8 A New Beginning 111

The “Prodigal” Son Returns 114

A Mentor at Last 119

Standing Up for Myself 122

A Growing Family 125

Awakening My Creative Side 127

Reflections 128

Chapter 9 Back to Boston 131

New Millennium, New Challenges 133

My Winter of Discontent 136

Good Thing, Bad Thing – Who Knows? 138

Following My Heartbreak 140

The Shame of Marketing? 141

Reflections 143

Chapter 10 Purpose in the Poconos 145

Tears of Joy 145

Metamorphosis 146

Becoming an Instrument of Evolution 148

Renegotiating a Relationship 150

Doubling Down 152

Sliding Doors 153

Birthing a Movement 155

Growing the Movement 157

Reflections 159

Chapter 11 Searching for Inner Peace 161

Seeking Spiritual Solace 163

Sidebar: Art of Living CORE TEACHINGS 164

Could I Be Happy? 167

Growing and Sinking 171

Reflections 173

Chapter 12 Conscious Awakening 175

The Wise Women 178

Twin Bombshells 184

No More Denial 186

Reflections 187

Chapter 13 Healing the Father Wound 189

The Father Wound 189

My Arc with My Father 190

Seeing the Whole Picture 192

Innocence Lost – and Reclaimed 193

Grief or Relief? 195

A Two-Time Destroyer of Families? 196

Healing My Son’s Father Wound 197

Last Words 198

Reflections 200

Chapter 14 Honoring My Mother and Becoming Whole 203

Who Was Usha? 206

Portrait of a Marriage 209

Passages 210

Bringing My Mother to My Father 212

Reflections 212

Chapter 15 Discoveries 215

Stay True to Yourself 216

Be Open to New Adventures 219

Be Your Own Best Friend and Coach 220

Challenge Orthodoxies 220

Choose Your Life 221

Embrace Seeming Opposites 222

Acknowledge and Heal Your Traumas 223

Be a Peaceful Warrior for Truth and Love 225

Stay Awake! 226

Epilogue Healing the Patriarchy 227

The Need to Heal Kesur 228

My Duty and Destiny 229

A Healing Circle 231

The Path Ahead 234

Acknowledgments 235

About the Author 239

Index 241

RAJ SISODIA is Co-founder and former Chairman of Conscious Capitalism Inc. He is the bestselling author of Conscious Capitalism, The Healing Organization, Firms of Endearment, Everybody Matters, Shakti Leadership and several other impactful books. Raj is FEMSA Distinguished University Professor of Conscious Enterprise and Chairman of the Conscious Enterprise Center at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico.

That which is deeply personal is completely universal. This book illustrates that maxim and reveals profound truths that are relevant to all humans.

Drawing on the author’s personal insights accumulated over an eventful life, as well as those of both contemporary and timeless masters, Awaken: The Path to Purpose, Inner Peace, and Healing offers readers an accessible, practical, and step-by-step approach to aligning who they are, what they do, what makes them tick, and how they relate to others.

Many of us sleepwalk through life. Most people live lives devoid of purpose, experience little peace of mind and are in deep denial about their own wounds and traumas. Awaken illuminates the path towards living a truly fulfilling and impactful life. Through the author’s own lived experience, he guides us towards three essential guideposts of awakening: connecting to purpose, achieving inner peace and experiencing deep healing.

This book describes the path the author forged from his trauma-filled youth to his transformation into a person who has become an impactful leader changing how we think about business and leadership. It shows that even in the most challenging of situations, it’s possible to find seeds of growth, compassion, healing and redemption.

Awaken is an indispensable guide to achieving those intangible things in life that make all the difference. It will help you become a better leader, a better partner, a better friend, a better family member, and a better human. It will surprise, delight and inspire you.

Praise for AWAKEN

"Raj Sisodia has lived a life of incredible productivity and profound service. This brilliantly written book will take you on a personal journey with him that is riveting and unforgettable. His storytelling will grip your attention and open your mind. His love for life will warm your heart. His capacity to serve and find his way to make the biggest possible difference with his life will deeply inspire you. Read this life changing book and nourish your soul."
—Lynne Twist, Co-founder, The Pachamama Alliance and author, The Soul of Money and Living a Committed Life

"Raj's life story will transfix you page after page. For those familiar with his work, you'll see what shaped his heart and mind into a voice that has influenced countless business leaders to rethink the way they lead. If you're new to Raj's work, get ready to be inspired and determined to leave your own lasting impact on the world."
—Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller and co-author, Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family

"With the same logic and rationale that makes it mandatory to first put on your own oxygen mask when others are in danger, Raj Sisodia has become aware that the best way to heal others is to first focus on healing himself. In this introspective new book, Raj exudes a vulnerability in sharing deeply personal insights that make his healing message for the rest of us all the more credible and essential."
—Danny Meyer, Founder, Union Square Hospitality Group and author, Setting the Table

"Awaken is a courageous book that offers us profound lessons for our life's journey, especially when we engage in the meaningful struggle to find our own gifts and bring them to the world."
—Betty Sue Flowers, Co-author, Presence and editor, The Power of Myth

“Real leadership in business and in society begins with finding your core. In this book, Raj Sisodia courageously shares his personal journey of coming to know himself. I believe that transparency and vulnerability are the pathways to true power. Bravo, Raj, for turning a pathway into a freeway and creating a powerful roadmap of the journey for others.”
—John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Operation HOPE, Inc. and author, Up from Nothing

“This deeply personal and heartfelt book is a must read. Raj’s journey is wildly inspiring, and a beautiful reminder of the importance for all leaders to prioritize their own healing.”
—Kip Tindell, Co-Founder and Past CEO/Chairman of The Container Store and author, Uncontainable

“In this deeply personal memoir, Raj challenges each of us to be “peaceful warriors” to fight with courage and intensity for what is most precious in life. For business leaders, the challenge is to thread this struggle into the very core of our companies, to catalyze the change and healing that is so needed in our communities.”
—Gerry Anderson, Executive Chairman, DTE Energy

“If you have ever yearned to go beyond a life of false harmony to find true peace, Raj’s deeply personal story provides every bit of inspiration and guidance you’ll need to summon the courage to pursue your own healing journey. You’ll be inspired to reflect on your own life journey and awaken to a whole new level of being.”
—Haley Rushing, Chief Purposologist, The Purpose Institute and co-author, It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For

“Once in a rare while comes along a man who has the courage, compassion, and authenticity to tell his story of tragedy and triumph in a way that not only heals himself, but also the reader. This book and its extraordinary disclosures will elevate your consciousness and catalyze the healing of our collective trauma.”
—Nilima Bhat, coauthor, Shakti Leadership

“A deeply moving memoir of personal struggles for self-identity and a purpose-driven life! Raj Sisodia is a brilliant writer and reveals what led to him confounding the Conscious Capitalism movement. Awaken is a story about human struggles, survival and ultimate triumph.”
—Jagdish N. Sheth, Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Business, Goizueta Business School, Emory University and co-author, Firms of Endearment

“If you want to break free of the shackles that constrain you, you need a guide, a sherpa, an example, not to follow step by step but to learn from on your own journey to healing and growth. In Awaken: A Journey to Purpose, Wholeness & Healing we have been given the gift of a detailed look into the familiarity of a troubled life and the resulting joyful emergence into wholeness of a truly gifted storyteller. Read every word as if your life depended on it.”
—Richard Sheridan, CEO, Chief Storyteller, Menlo Innovations and author, Joy, Inc. – How We Built a Workplace People Love

“A simple yet compelling tale of a delicate and dynamic father-son relationship, of love and losses, this book makes you contemplate your own evolutionary journey.”
—Debashis Chatterjee, Director IIM Kozhikode and author of Timeless Leadership

“It is with a spirit of generosity that Raj shares his learnings from his personal journey with others. True introspection is hard but necessary work, and Raj inspires readers to take the first step.”
—Daniel Lubetzky, Founder of KIND Snacks and author, Do the KIND Thing

“I couldn’t put this book down. It caused me to reflect on my whole life and the importance of living consciously in order to heal. Raj’s book helps awaken you and illuminates what really matters in your life’s journey.”
—NK Choudhary, Chairman and Managing Director, Jaipur Rugs