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What does it take to truly see, not just with our eyes, but with our hearts?
In our recent webinar titled “Opening the Inner Eye: Walk with Humility–For Justice,” facilitated by leadership coach and Coacharya alumni Gayatri Krishnamurthy, guests, Brinda Adige and Doris Ahiati, discussed the quiet, everyday changes that lead to greater compassion, clarity, and self-worth. Brinda Adige is a well-known women’s rights activist and the Director of Global Concerns, India, while Doris Ahiati is a financial consultant and coach.
Through their stories, drawn from their extensive work, they reminded us that the journey toward a better world doesn’t begin with grand plans, but with a clear look inward. With knowing our worth. With daring to care.
Together, Brinda and Doris made people visualize transformation that starts with self-respect and ripples outward — into communities, into systems, into the very soul of society.
Fearlessness and Self-Respect in Action
Brinda, with her extensive work among women and children, articulated a powerful philosophy centered on fearlessness and self-respect. Her approach involves directly confronting systemic injustices, advocating for individuals who might otherwise be silenced. She shared compelling examples of this in practice, from guiding women through the arduous process of reporting sexual harassment to extending support to those navigating the complexities of life in urban slums.
Brinda’s message is clear: empowering oneself and others is not merely about providing resources, but about creating an unyielding belief in one’s right to dignity and safety, and equipping individuals with the courage to claim that right. She highlighted that true support often means standing alongside someone as they navigate challenging systems, offering not just a hand, but a foundation of solidarity and strength.
Overcoming Psychological Barriers to Financial Freedom
Doris, on the other hand, brought a crucial perspective on financial empowerment, particularly for women. She delved into the often-overlooked psychological barriers that impede financial freedom. Low self-worth, a feeling of powerlessness, and ingrained limiting beliefs about money, she argued, are significant hurdles that prevent individuals from achieving economic independence.
Doris’s work focuses on dismantling these internal barriers, helping individuals to see their inherent value, and challenging the narratives that constrain their financial aspirations. Her method involves creating supportive communities where individuals can collectively address these psychological blocks and build a shared understanding of financial possibility. For Doris, financial liberation is not just about accumulating wealth, but about creating a sense of agency and control over one’s life.
The Foundation of Self-Validation and Inner Strength
A common thread weaving through both Brinda and Doris’s work was the fundamental importance of self-validation and inner strength. They both underscored that meaningful change, whether personal or societal, often hinges on an individual’s capacity to believe in themselves and recognize their inherent value. Recognizing this value involves actively shedding limiting beliefs and cultivating an inner resilience that allows one to navigate challenges and persist in the face of adversity.
The discussion repeatedly circled back to this idea: before one can effectively advocate for others or strive for societal reform, one must first be grounded in a sense of personal worth and purpose.
Addressing Systemic Barriers
The panellists also tackled the pervasive issue of systemic barriers. Brinda’s experiences with sexual harassment and the challenges faced by women in slums clearly illustrate how entrenched systems can impede progress.
Doris’s focus on psychological barriers to financial empowerment likewise points to the subtle yet powerful ways societal structures can reinforce feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness. Both, however, offered not despair, but a clear reassurance: while systemic barriers are real and formidable, they are not insurmountable. Overcoming them requires a combination of individual fortitude and collective effort.
Personal Conviction Driving Collective Change
Another critical theme that emerged was the direct link between personal conviction and the creation of change. Both Brinda and Doris demonstrated through their work that profound social impact stems from a deep-seated belief in what is right and a commitment to acting on that belief, even when it is difficult. This isn’t about grand gestures alone, but about consistent, determined effort, often in the face of indifference or opposition. It’s about taking that first step, and then the next, propelled by an inner sense of purpose.
Action, Support, and Empowerment
The “Opening the Inner Eye” webinar left us with a quiet yet powerful message: meaningful change begins within. Brinda and Doris reminded us that believing in our own worth is not an abstract idea, but a necessary foundation for taking action in the world. They showed that even in the face of difficulty, choosing to act can spark transformation. And when we support and uplift others, our individual strengths come together to create something much greater.
This message echoes deeply with Coacharya’s philosophy. In our coach training programs, we invite individuals to begin with self-awareness and reflection. We believe that to support others in their growth, a coach must first be anchored in their own sense of purpose and value. Through this inner work, our learners develop the capacity to lead with empathy, presence, and authenticity. To explore how our programs can support your evolution, connect with us at support@coacharya.com.
Ultimately, the insights shared by Brinda and Doris align with what coaching at Coacharya is all about — turning personal understanding into meaningful action that contributes to a more compassionate and just world.
(This blog post is based on Coacharya’s recent webinar, Opening the Inner Eye: Lasting Change, Turning Compassion Into Action, and aims to provide a general overview of the key takeaways. For more in-depth information, please refer to the original webinar recording.)
Webinar Video
