Grounding Red, Blue and Green Oceans Strategies to a Buddhist Theory of Learning based on Mindfulness Training at Our Citta (Heart-Mind, Consciousness) Level Directly

Dr. C.C. Tan

Published in the Human Resource and Organization Development Journal, The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) University, Thailand (2010)

ABSTRACT

Recent concerns and fieldwork evidence, indicated by Kaplan and Kaiser (2009), Hammond et al. (2009), Goleman et al. (2009), Baer et al. (2006) and Seidel (2009), all point towards the vital role played by “Sati” (Mindfulness) in developing our Mental Faculties (Citta and Cetasika, Pali words for Mind-Heart). Their research indicates that mindfulness-mental quality has the ability, at the most fundamental level, to prevent people from falling into Psychological Traps (Hammond et al. 2009), and also has the ability to deliver organizational performance (Kaplan and Kaiser, 2009), and Emotional and Intelligent Quotients (Tan, 2009c; also referred to in Goleman et al. 2009). A simple framework is proposed that links the organizational, teams and individual levels of performance to the individual mindfulness development. The training is highly Single-Loop and Double-Loop Learning in nature that fits into Action Research at an individual level (Tan, 2009a), and also has simple self-assessment or performance measurement schemes built into the learning routine and system (Tan, 2009a; 2009b; Baer et al. 2006; Kabat-Zinn, 2003). A single, rich case research study is conducted, based on a quantitative survey and qualitative interview mixed method approach. Validity and reliability measures of the research are investigated, and the evidence is clear that the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path and Its Theory of Learning (Tan, 2009a; 2009b) is, in fact,  practical to the business or management worlds, and which also share similar meanings to Ontology, Epistemology, Methodology, and the World 1, World 2 and World 3 Knowledge first advocated by Professor Karl Popper (1972). Thus, this research should serve to draw the interests of management academics and scholars, as well as business communities and their professions, to areas of “Mindfulness” development. The root thinking and conception on the so-called Red Ocean, Blue Ocean, and Green Ocean strategies will also be illustrated in the lens of the proposed theoretical framework.