In my recent lecture on Organizational Behavior and Leadership (OBL), we delved into the core of human existence: Self, Identity, and Personhood from the perspective of Indian Philosophy (Trigunas, Purusharth, and the Karma Theory). These are young students grown up with a smartphone in their hands and an algorithm in their ears, belong to Gen Z cohort as they consider themselves to be. Yet, as we began discussing the future of work and the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), I sensed a familiar undercurrent: anxiety. It is the same quiet worry many of us feel—the fear that we are becoming replaceable, that our years of study might be rendered obsolete by a machine that does not sleep or get tired.
During this two-hour journey into the heart of (OBL), the engagement of students was energetic. To move beyond the textbook, we analyzed their personal self-reported data on Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and Life Satisfaction.
The Story the Numbers Tell
When I looked at the scores (n=243), the first thing that struck me was the average PsyCap score of 5.28 (on scale of 7). This is a healthy number. It tells me that most of my students have a solid foundation of resilience (mean 5.14) and efficacy (mean 4.94). [also see this link on our work]
However, the contrast in Life Satisfaction was the real eye-opener. The Indian Life Satisfaction mean (5.12) was consistently higher than the Western Life Satisfaction mean (4.51). In my view, the Western model often ties satisfaction to outcomes—what we achieve, buy, or rank. The Indian perspective, however, is rooted more in our being—our inner peace and alignment with duty. We found a moderate correlation (r = 0.50) between PsyCap and Indian Life Satisfaction, suggesting that the more we build our inner strength, the more satisfied we feel, regardless of external markers of success.
Untangling the Self
We began the lecture by untangling three terms (Self, Identity, and Personhood) that we often use interchangeably but which represent very different layers of our existence. It was explained to them that the Self is your core—the steady, unchanging observer (the Atman). Identity is the clothing you wear in the world—it is how you define yourself as a student, a leader, or an artist. Personhood, however, is the bridge between the two; it is how you express your inner Self through your external Identity. Understanding this relationship is the first step toward mental clarity.
To make this tangible, students examined their own Triguna scores. We looked at whether their nature was governed by Sattva (balance and clarity), Rajas (passion and activity), and Tamas (inertia and confusion). While many groups heartedly identified as Sattvik, our data showed that 42% fit the classic Sattvic profile. The majority (53.5%) reported being in a Rajasic state—energetic and driven, but restless, chasing satisfaction rather than being satisfied.
I told them: Practice active impatience while putting in the effort, but maintain absolute patience while awaiting the results.
These students are not just high achievers; they possess a conscious stillness. They have the resilience to face challenges without losing their inner equilibrium.
The Navigational Map: Purusharthas
To move from restlessness to peace, I introduced the Purusharthas, the four aims of human life. They were asked to see these as a balancing act for their Personhood:
- Dharma (Duty/Ethics): This is your moral compass. In the classroom, your Dharma, your primary duty is to learn with integrity.
- Artha (Prosperity/Money): This represents the resources and money needed to sustain life, to earn livelihood. It is necessary, but as I told the class, it is a means, not the end.
- Kama (Pleasure/Passion): This is the enjoyment of life and the pursuit of what makes you feel alive.
- Moksha (Meaning/Liberation): This is the ultimate goal—the freedom from the rat race and the realization of one’s true Self.
I noticed a shift in the room when we compared our data through this lens. The Western Life Satisfaction mean (4.51) often focuses heavily on Artha (success and utility). In contrast, the Indian Life Satisfaction mean (5.12)—which was notably higher in our class—focuses on the balance of all four, especially Dharma.
We discussed how our PsyCap (Self-Efficacy) is our Purushartha (conscious effort). One of the greatest secrets to a satisfied life is the practice of Nishkama Karma—performing your duty (Dharma) without being obsessively attached to the results (Artha). We also discussed the Easterlin Paradox, which reminds us that once basic needs are met, more money does not necessarily buy more happiness—a concept that perfectly mirrors our findings on Artha and Life Satisfaction.
Happiness comes from higher pursuits, not a higher bank balance.
If you study only for the grade, you are vulnerable to anxiety. But if you study because it is your passion to learn, you develop a Shield of Resilience. You become what we call Sthitaprajna—someone who remains steady in both success and failure.
AI as Sanchita Karma
One of the most profound moments in the lecture was when we discussed Karma Theory. Many people think Karma is just about what goes around comes around. But it is much deeper.
One needs to think of AI as Sanchita Karma. Sanchita Karma is the sum total of past actions and patterns. AI algorithms are exactly that—they are Past-Predictors. They look at everything humans have done before and predict what will happen next. If you let an AI define you, you are letting your past (or the collective past of humanity) dictate your future.
If AI is the sum of the past (Sanchita), then our PsyCap is our power to act in the now (Kriyamana).
But we have an antidote: Purushartha (Conscious Effort). Your PsyCap (Self-Efficacy) is the manifestation of what we call Kriyamana Karma—the actions you take in the present moment.
When you focus on the quality of your effort (your Dharma) rather than just the result, you are practicing Nishkama Karma. This is the ultimate shield against AI anxiety. If you do your work because it is your duty and your passion, the machine can never replace that intent, even if it automates the output.
The data from our class proves it. The students with the highest Life Satisfaction were not necessarily the ones with the highest scores in the traditional sense; they were the ones with high Optimism and Resilience. They are the ones who understand that while the Prakriti (the material world and its technology) is always changing, the Purusha (the conscious self) remains steady.
Finding the Calling
Towards the end, a student asked a poignant question about how our personality and passion manifest. It was the perfect moment to reiterate: The true purpose of education is to allow you to explore yourself. Education is not an event but an experience.
I believe that once you find your calling or passion, you are essentially aligning your Kama with your Dharma. When you pursue that calling, you enjoy life naturally. Ultimately, we all seek a happy and peaceful life. Money (Artha) and education are simply the facilitators that allow you to lead that kind of life without being consumed by the struggle for survival.
While interacting with the students and responding to them, I was reminded that our most important project is our own Personhood. Do not let your identity be defined solely by your output. Instead, lean into your Hope and Optimism.
Use your education to peel back the layers of Rajas and Tamas until you find that Sattvic core. Use Artha to support you, but let Dharma lead you. When you find that balance, you do not just find a career—you find a happy and peaceful life.
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Students are the most important part of teachers’ identity!
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