About My Zen Path
Welcome to My Zen Path, a space dedicated to self-exploration and self-actualization.
Ever feel like your career path or daily grind just doesn’t quite fit? Perhaps you’re yearning for work that feels more meaningful, more you. That’s precisely what My Zen Path is all about: helping you to discover your true north and live your unique, authentic way forward.
In a single sentence, My Zen path is simply My Own Path.
Nearly a decade ago, as My Zen Path was taking shape, I found myself drawn to a powerful definition of Zen, often attributed to Bodhidharma, who brought Zen to China. It struck a chord because it spoke directly to the core of what I wanted to explore:
Zen:
Not dependent on the written word,
Transmission apart from the scriptures;
Directly pointing at one’s heart,
Seeing one’s nature, becoming Buddha.Excerpts from: What is Zen?
For me, those last two lines resonated deeply. “Seeing one’s nature, becoming Buddha” wasn’t about enlightenment in a traditional sense, but about becoming fully aware of your own original nature, your real being. So, “My Zen Path” simply became path of my being and my way of living. It’s about tuning into your inner compass, understanding what genuinely makes you tick, and building a life and work that truly resonate with you.
About Manish: From Cubicledom to freedom
Hi, I’m Manish Hatwalne. I’m based in Pune, India, and I’m the one scribbling most of what you’ll find here. For over 25 years, I lived the “software professional” life, but it is rather difficult to identify myself with a single professional identity now. I am a curious soul that enjoys several pursuits – writing, design, psychology, psychometrics, facilitation, travelling, film-making, and even food & nutrition. These aren’t just quirky hobbies; they’re passions I’ve actively pursued, invested in, and learned from. I happen to be an INFJ, and a Renaissance Soul (or multipotentialite – interested in different pursuits) – and that kind of explains all that exploring.
Back in 2014, I took a sabbatical. It was a time to slow down, breathe, and really ask: “What do I really want to do?” That journey was eye-opening. I travelled the Himalayas, attended a beautiful Head2Heart retreat there, delved into Buddhist psychology, and even explored the Science Of Happiness. What struck me was a simple truth: I’m not just a worker bee, I am more than just a coder in a cubicle. It was time to nurture these other parts of me so that they have a chance to bloom instead of withering away.
During my own self-exploration, I leaned heavily on tools like psychometric inventories and other insightful resources. I wasn’t just reading books; I was actively experimenting on myself. I also had multiple deep, insightful conversations with my mentor-friend Sachin Chavan about my own personality, preferences, values, and purpose. This deep dive led to a talk I gave at ThoughtWorks, Pune, in February 2015, titled ‘What Do I Really Want To Do?’ To my pleasant surprise, many in the audience resonated deeply with my journey and were curious about their own paths. That talk sparked a popular 7-post blog series here called ‘Journey Of Self Exploration‘. It was clear: what I thought was a deeply personal quest was a nascent need for many professionals.
But here’s the honest truth: finding that path wasn’t (and still isn’t) a straight line. It involved some bumps and head-scratching moments. I yearned for the freedom to pursue my diverse interests, sometimes even finding exciting roles that only needed me a few days a week. And sure, those roles came with a hefty pay cut, which I was completely fine with. The real challenge was actually convincing founders/stakeholders that part-time work could still be wholehearted involvement. Some of them even wondered if I had secret side gigs. Explaining that my other pursuits were passion, not profit, proved futile. I even succumbed to a full-time assignment once in the last decade, and it utterly swallowed my schedule for nearly two years. Sometimes, you learn it the hard way! 😛
Evolution of My Zen Path
When I first launched My Zen Path , it was a space for self-exploration, driven by my growing knowledge in psychometrics and a fresh understanding of my own multipotentialite nature. Over the past decade, this platform has grown right alongside my own journey.
My quest about understanding human potential, especially in the context of work, naturally led me to pursue a few courses and certifications in the field. I am a Certified Occupational Testing Professional and accredited professional member of Indian Institute of Business Psychology (IIBP). I am also a Certified Psychometric Test Professional (CPTP) from Middle Earth HR.
What this means for you is that My Zen Path now blends that foundational knowledge from psychometrics and psychology with the real-world experiences of navigating complex career transitions, experimenting with unconventional work models (like remote work, fractional roles), and even having those not-so-comfortable conversations about work-life alignment. I’ve personally walked the talk of “leaving money on the table” for meaning, faced skepticism, and found personal fulfilment in charting a less-travelled course.
So, when you engage with My Zen Path now, you’re not just getting theoretical, bookish insights; you’re getting perspectives shaped by actual challenges and triumphs, all underpinned by continuous learning and integrated expertise. My goal is to help you see that understanding yourself, combining that with practical insights, can pave a path that’s not only intrinsically rewarding but also truly sustainable.
How My Zen Path Can Help You Shine
Through My Zen Path, I share the insights and reflections from my own journey, and from others who’ve dared to walk their own paths. This isn’t about telling you what to do; it’s about providing a compass for your own self-exploration.
Here, you’ll find:
- Articles & Insights: My musings on purposeful work, meaningful living, and the fascinating intersection of psychology, human potential, and career choices. These articles should be useful for individuals keen on their own self-exploration, self-actualization as well as for organizations looking for talent management insights.
- Practical Tools: Resources like psychometric assessments to help you uncover your unique personality, strengths, and career interests. Think of them as guideposts, not rigid rules.
- Workshops & Consultations: Sometimes, a little one-on-one or group guidance helps. I occasionally conduct workshops and offer personal consulting to help you connect the dots so that you can align your work (doing) based on who you are (being) and what you really love doing. My role isn’t a career counselor; I’m more of a self-exploration facilitator who can help you find and pave your own path. If you’re interested, feel free to contact me for more details.
If you’re at that point where you’re fundamentally rethinking your work and life decisions, considering a career transition, or simply yearning for more meaning, you’re in the right place. It doesn’t matter if you know Maslow’s hierarchy, self-actualization, and all the fancy jargon; aligning your work with your original nature is a bliss everyone can benefit from.
A Few Final Thoughts on the Journey…
Here’s something I’ve learned on this journey: self-exploration isn’t a one-and-done bootcamp; it’s a lifelong trek on a winding road. It’s deeply personal, unique to each of us, and honestly, all it really asks for is your authentic commitment. When you find purposeful work, it’s an incredibly rich, intrinsically rewarding experience. But let’s be real, it’s rarely a smooth stroll. It involves digging deep, peeling back layers of cultural conditioning, and seriously questioning ingrained beliefs about success, work, and yes, even money. You might just have to unlearn a few things about “success” that society (and well-meaning relatives) drilled into you – especially that sometimes-delusive link between wealth and fame.
Ultimately, it’s about crafting your own definition of success. Once you connect with who you are and what genuinely lights you up, your career and lifestyle become a dynamic, joyful creation built around your interests. For me, that often means choosing work that excites me and energizes me, even if it’s not always the most lucrative gig. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
If you’re grappling with your own career choices or just curious to discuss where your path might lead, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Here’s to happy exploring, bold experimenting, and walking on your very own Zen path! 🙂
Connect With Me
Got questions about your own career choices or just want to share your journey? Drop me a line.