| TAO of 'BAO' (Learning Experiences) |
| This section of the report is to share our problems and difficulties that we had encountered during the progress of this project. On the start of this module, it was made known to us that groups would be formed to attempt and submit a project report by the end of the module for grading, and as a test of our level of understanding of the Tao of Action learning. Having just met and introduced to each other that afternoon, it was noticeably uncomfortable to be thrust into working together for a project. Each was comfortable with their own working style, some more independently than the other. Not much other than the exchange of contact numbers and emails was done on that day. However, as time passed, we began to grow somewhat closer and bonded better. Each began to open up more to the group, and having that closeness and openness really did make the discussions and meetings more informal and free. Seems like an irony, that it was only when we were close that we can be open. The first difficulty that we faced as a group was a common timing to meet up for discussion. Even with the availability of other means of communication like emails or discussion boards, there was no flow of information on a real time basis, causing much of the issues that were brought up to be obsolete by the time the group members posted up their opinions. As such, effort had to be made by the group members to ensure that we meet up and to produce concrete discussions so as to make our meeting more fulfilling. This was the one thing that we all had to keep in mind to ensure that our objective of meeting up was kept in focus: To discuss about a topic of common interest and its relevance to Tao. Perhaps as well, it was due to this difficulty we faced together that we were more effective in our meetings. A good example of how " Comrades in adversity" is at work. Having come from different fields of studies, we shared differing points of views. Yet, by having these opinions open for discussion, a higher level of understanding of the subject was brought up. In a way, we learned much from each other's thought process. It was not so much as the end results or opinions that was important, what we have learned was how others thought, the step by step crunching of information by four different individuals. What were shown were the different aspects of how people thought in action. It was very clear who were the Activist, Reflector, Pragmatist and Theorist. Also, the differing viewpoints of our business, communication and engineering students were very pronounced. The softer subject students were more creative and interlinking of ideas, our communications student had this very subtle way of getting his point across and was very good in articulation, the engineer was much into details and relation of how the opinions were of interest to the topic discussed. Our topic of the Tao of Bao was not thought up until the failure to follow through our original topic of the Tao of Mahjong. One would think that since Tao encompasses all, a relation of any topic to Tao would simply be fitting pieces into a jigsaw puzzle. However, we have learned that it was not that easy. One of the reasons why we had failed in the original topic was due to lack of common knowledge to the subject picked. Since not all know of the game of mahjong, it was difficult to have a sharing of opinions and information since some of us have nothing to contribute. Not to say that effort has not been made to learn more about the game, but nothing new could be contributed. As a result, the discussion was limited to only those who knew the game. This was not what we wanted. It was to be a group effort, with every member contributing to discussion. This was important to us, to make sure that everyone of us had a hand in this project, making it ours. This feeling of ownership of the project was one factor that made us all gather our resources and effort to ensure that it was done to the best to our capabilities. Still on the subject of the Tao of Bao, It is amazing how if one is aware of his/her surroundings, that you be able to see Tao in practically everything, and probably the only reason how something is not Tao is due to the inability of the person to relate it together. Having given up on the topic of the Tao of Mahjong, we needed another topic of which discussion could be made. Inspiration struck when we were gathered in the canteen and saw the bao stall, and when the topic was brought up for discussion; opinions flowed from everyone, because we all knew how to relate to baos. An important lesson here was to not give up and lose composure, but to remain calm knowing that there's always another path to take and nothing's a dead end. When the mind is not preoccupied trying to fit a square piece into a round hole, you will then see the mind at its creative best. Go with the flow of things, in our case the refusal to give up the Tao of mahjong became our Achilles' heel as we tried to force the project through. These were just a few of the problems that we had faced during the progress of this project. We were lucky not to have a language barrier between us, with each most willing to contribute his/her part to the project. Dedication, common interest and a willingness to learn would be what really kept this group from giving up and to ensure a continuity of the project from start to finish. |