Deepal Sooriyaarachchi invites readers to travel ‘Inward Bound’

‘Inward Bound – mindfulness as an executive capability,’ the latest book by Deepal Sooriyaarachchi, published by Olympia Publishers UK was released in London recently. Written under the pen name Deepal Soori, he presented a copy of the book to John Rankin, the British High Commissioner in Colombo. The book is being distributed by Sarasavi Bookshops in Sri Lanka.

Known among the Sri Lankan readers as the author of the famous Sinhalen Business Book series that introduced modern management concepts in simple Sinhala, this is his second book in English language, the first being ‘Switching Off.’

‘Inward Bound’ offers a clear and succinct insight into the relevance of the ancient wisdoms of the East to the hard hitting business world of today. Sooriyaarachchi shows how self awareness, mindfulness and knowing oneself from inside out can be central to the success of a businessman in the 21st century.

Using his own experience in corporate life, he applies his own history of starting as a clerk and working his way up to the managing director of a major insurance company and how ancient teachings have given a central guideline to his work in business relationships.

Providing an introduction to ‘Inward Bound’, the co-author of ‘Leadership Code,’ with Dave Ulrich, Norm Smallwood has said, “Inward Bound is an intriguing value proposition for jaded western skeptics who work too much. Deepal argues that self awareness or mindfulness is often missing and when it’s missing, life and work are less fulfilling and less effective.

“I’ve seen Deepal use these concepts with line executives and witnessed the shift in awareness that results in clearer thinking and better choices. Deepal brings a unique combination of senior executive and Eastern mystic with a strong sense of humor to his writing and to his consulting. Read this book. It’s fun and it’s good for you.”

“To have credibility, ideally, a preacher should also be a practitioner. Deepal is indeed someone who has tested the techniques he is espousing – he walks the talk! With several examples that are easy to understand and experience, he reinforces his message on the need to be mindful,” stated internationally acclaimed expert on decision making, Errol Wirasinghe who has authored ‘The Art of Making Decisions.’

“He also demonstrates the power of the ‘why’ over ‘what’ when dealing with stressful situations. Even if you grasp just 25% of his message, you will see an enormous change in your life. As a specialist in the decision-making arena, I found his insights extremely valuable.”

International Leadership Development Coach from USA Dr. Lynne De Lay, has said that self awareness is a key component of emotional intelligence and is a critical capability for today’s successful executive.

“Mindfulness is one approach to increase self awareness. In today’s world where speed continues to accelerate and executives are called upon to do ‘more with less,’ it is easy to lose sight of the ‘self’ as a “tool”. Deepal defines mindfulness and offers simple exercises to develop this capability, as well as examples of how to apply it using ‘real work’ gained from his many years as a senior executive.

“He shares the power of this in his own personal and executive life. This is a short, practical guide for any executive who wants to travel ‘inward’ from someone who has lived the daily pressures of executive life. Our impact in life may have as much to do with our ‘being’ as with our ‘doing.’”

Commenting on the book, Prof. Uditha Liyanage, Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Management said, “Deepal embarks on a journey we often take on in the reverse! Our typical thinking patterns are outward bound. They are centred around that which is outside of us. Our focus is on the outside. Deeepal’s book, Inward Bound is essentially about a journey we ought to take on the inside.  

“This journey of self-discovery of being rather than having and doing is well narrated by the author with a sense of clarity that is possible from one who has actually taken the journey within. Read it. Reflect on it and you will be richer by the discovery of one you ought to know very well inside out – yourself.”